Handling a dental emergency at home is one thing. But having to deal with one overseas is a whole different kind of stress. Ideally, you’d only worry about your teeth and let the professionals take care of the rest. Now you’ve got to find the right practice in an area you might not be very familiar with.
The US does have some quirks when it comes to dental emergencies. Don’t worry, though – here’s what you need to know, whittled down to the basics so you can take care of your teeth promptly.
Emergency Room, or Emergency Dentist?
Believe it or not, there is a difference, and it’ll likely affect the type of care you receive. Make no mistake, an emergency room will still patch you up, treating any cuts, staunching any bleeding, and alleviating any immediate pain. However, most of them don’t have the equipment necessary for repairing or restoring teeth specifically.
If you’ve chipped or lost a tooth, are concerned about gum disease, have a severe toothache, or otherwise need to have your teeth or gums examined, calling an emergency dentist first will save you time.
Urgent Dental Care for Urgent Dental Problems
Fortunately, most emergency dentists accept same-day appointments in urgent situations. Depending on your case, they could potentially fix your issue in one visit. If not, be sure to mention you’re from out of the country. They can help you make next-step arrangements and will make sure you’re well-informed.
What might be trickier is paying for your treatment. The emergency dental team will be able to assist you with this too, but if you have travel insurance, asking them about in-network emergency dentists beforehand might make things easier.
Finding An Emergency Dentist Near You
You can’t go wrong with a quick internet search! Many capable emergency dentists have websites that detail their services, qualifications, and contact information. Most will also offer dental sedation to help patients feel comfortable, so it’s a good idea to look for that under their services page. Otherwise, you can ask a hotel concierge or other locals for recommendations.
Handling a dental emergency while you’re overseas isn’t fun. There’s no sugar-coating that. But knowing you can receive quick, immediate care is reassuring. When in doubt about the nature of your emergency or who you should contact, don’t be afraid to call an emergency dentist anyway. They’ll be happy to help you navigate the situation so you can get the care you need.
About the Practice
Our team of highly qualified professionals at Lake Oconee Dentistry is ready to help you with your dental emergency! We offer a wide variety of services and are well-equipped to treat whatever unexpected urgency life has thrown at you. To ensure maximum patient comfort, we can administer oral conscious or nitrous oxide dental sedation. You can request a same-day emergency appointment by calling our office at 706-453-1333.