Can the er do anything for a toothache

Can emergency room help tooth pain? Can I go to the emergency room for a toothache? Well this is a question that most of us have had to contend with at one point in life. Does one have to wait for the dentist’s office to be open or can he or she get help from the nearest emergency room?

Toothaches can strike without warning and how painful are they when they hit! Their pain is intense and unbearable and the first thing that comes to mind is to get the pain sorted. This is where most people find themselves in a limbo, do they go to an emergency room or wait to go to their dentists? Well, to find out, we take a look at emergency rooms’ ability to handle tooth pains.

Can emergency rooms help tooth pain?

The answer to this question depends on the cause of the tooth pain. Before addressing emergency room’s ability to address tooth pains, it is therefore imperative to take a look at the most common causes of tooth pains.

Causes of tooth pains

Infections leading to cavities

Normally your teeth are protected with a thick layer of dental enamel which is one of the hardest substances in the human body. Your dental enamel is constantly under attack from the bacteria in your mouth that produce acid whenever you eat or drink something sugary or full of carbohydrates. Over time your enamel can become softer, allowing the bacteria to penetrate the interior part of the tooth.

The dentine layer lies directly underneath the tooth enamel and is much softer and more susceptible towards decay. Once the bacteria penetrate the tooth enamel and reach the dentine they will be able to eat away at this layer causing a cavity. The actual hole in your tooth might look quite small, but the cavity inside the tooth will gradually increase in size, and you might find that one day you bite down on that tooth and it simply crumbles away. Eventually the bacteria will penetrate to the pulp which contains all the nerves and blood vessels contained in teeth. The bacteria will feel on this pulp leaving a large cavity and exposing the nerves and blood vessels. This is why you feel the unbearable pain once your tooth is infected.

Injuries

The other cause of tooth pains is the breaking or chipping away of the surface of the tooth. This can be as a result of an accident or weakening of the surface of the enamel protecting the tooth. When the chips away, it exposes the pulp cavity which has the vessels and nerves and this causes the searing pain which is experienced.

Sinus infections

Sometimes the pain you are experiencing might not be as a result of an infection or an injury to the tooth, it could be due to sinusitis which is an infection of the sinus.

Temporomandibular disorders

The other reason why you could be experiencing pain could be temporomandibular disorders. Conditions such as cancer, arthritis or even bruxism can result to temporomandibular disorders which can be experienced in form of tooth pains.

So, now that we have seen causes of tooth pains, can emergency rooms sort the pains? The answer is yes, emergency rooms are equipped to address simple nagging problems like toothaches.

In the event of a dental cavity, physicians in emergency rooms are able to administer painkillers and fill up the cavity. Emergency rooms can also address issues such as temporomandibular complications through minor surgeries.

It is advisable to report to the nearest emergency room if you are suffering from any form of tooth pain and accessing your dentist’s office is difficult. Contrary to popular opinion, you should not try and get over the counter medication to try and kill the pain-that will be just papering over the cracks and it can lead to serious complications.

Going to the emergency room will mean that you will get proper diagnosis and if there is a serious complication, you will be advised on the best course of action to take. If after diagnosis the emergency room deems that you require a certain dental procedure which is not on offer in the emergency room, they will refer you to the best dentist for the same or get in touch with your dentist about the same.

Let Bellaire Emergency take care of your tooth pains

Are you in Bellaire and are suffering from tooth pains? Well, do not hesitate to visit Bellaire emergency room for the best remedies and treatment of tooth pains. Our experienced medical practitioners are richly experienced in handling dental problems and will always offer the best treatment for your particular problem.

Give us a call today about tooth pains and any other medical emergency and we will gladly be of service to you.

It’s 11pm on a Friday night. You can’t sleep because of unbearable pain in the back of your mouth. You think you have a tooth infection, but you’re not quite sure what’s going on. Your dentist’s office won’t open until Monday, and over-the-counter pain meds aren’t helping. What options do you have? Can you go to an emergency room for dental issues? Let’s take a look at some common questions we hear about dental emergencies.

Can I Go to an ER for Dental Issues?

Emergency rooms typically have the equipment and staff to handle minor dental emergencies like abscesses and traumatic loss of teeth. They can also prescribe medications to address infections or help manage the pain. Emergency rooms typically aren’t able to handle final repairs like fixing a chipped tooth or placing a filling for a cavity. 

Are Emergency Visits for Dental Pain Covered By Health Insurance?

Most health insurance plans will cover emergency room visits for dental pain. To be certain, call your health insurance company before you go to the ER. You will likely have to pay an emergency room copay. Many states also require health insurance plans to cover emergency visits for TMD and CMD disorders. These are conditions that involve the jaw, jaw joint, and the muscles controlling them.

Medical insurance may also cover other dental emergency services. These might include diagnostic procedures, treatment of inflammation, incisions and drainage of abscesses, curettage of periodontal abscesses, medically necessary tooth removal, soft and hard tissue biopsies and extractions, and surgical placement of dental implants.

Your dental insurance will not typically cover other types of dental emergencies. For instance, fillings for cavity treatment and cosmetic issues are not covered. When in doubt, always call your health and dental insurance companies to understand what services are covered.

Tyler Texas Emergency Room for Pain Management & Urgent Care Needs

Hospitality Health ER in Tyler, Texas is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to treat all types of medical emergencies and urgent care needs. Walk in to our concierge-style emergency room and be greeted by knowledgeable caring staff.

For more on dental health, read Hospitality Health ER’s blog 3 Reasons to Take Your 1-Year-Old to the Dentist and Can Cavities Spread?

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