Dental Emergency During COVID-19? Visit a Dentist for Help!

The COVID-19 virus has interrupted American lives like no other event in history, forcing the country to shut down. To help control the spread of the virus, dentists have placed most of their dental care services on hold. Does that mean that when a dental emergency strikes, you should head to your local ER? An emergency dentist says, “No!” As you continue reading, you’ll discover the better option.

Most Practices are Open for Dental Emergencies

Although many dental offices are temporarily closed for preventive, cosmetic and most forms of restorative care, you’re not expected to deal with a dental emergency on your own. Many dentists are available to provide care in these situations. That’s because they know that, untreated, any of the related problems can only get worse. In some cases, an untreated dental emergency can even become life threatening.

Thus, if you’re experiencing either of the following, you should remain calm and reach out to a local dentist:

• Oral bleeding
• Severe toothache
• Chipped or broken tooth
• Loose or dislodged tooth
• Missing dental crown or filling

Why You Shouldn’t Go to the ER

If you’ve been watching the news, then you’re probably aware that hospitals are being swamped with patients that are potentially infected with COVID-19. Thus, visiting for a dental emergency could make matters worse by increasing the traffic. This could create more stress for healthcare workers who are already under intense pressure.

Furthermore, making an unnecessary trip to the ER leaves you more susceptible to being infected or unknowingly transmitting the virus. The safer route to take is to visit a local dentist. Not only is he or she best qualified for handling dental emergencies, but you can also have the peace-of-mind of knowing that you’re receiving care in a more controlled environment.

Two Exceptions to the Rule

If you suspect that you have a broken jaw, you should immediately head to the ER, as the jaw misalignment could possibly inhibit your breathing and become life-threatening. Then, once the initial danger has been addressed, your dentist can provide the remaining care you need, which may include reinserting any dislodged teeth or treating other problems.

You should also head to the ER for profuse bleeding that lasts for longer than 10 minutes. The immediacy of the situation is much greater than typical dental emergencies, because continued blood loss can place your life in danger.

There is never a good time for a dental emergency to happen, but it can be even more difficult to deal with during the battle with COVID-19. Thankfully, you can rest assured that your local dentist and staff are available to help you fully recover.

About the Author

Dr. Bob Koenitzer is a graduate of the University of California at San Francisco, which is regarded as one of the top dental schools in the nation. Voted Best Dentist in Petaluma six years in a row, he maintains a strong commitment to excellence. During the COVID-19 outbreak, Dr. Koenitzer is available to provide the comprehensive care needed in emergency situations. He treats patients at his private practice, and he can be reached for more information through his website.