Ask your dentist... dental emergency

Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, anytime. Knowing how to respond is obviously very important. Where you go for treatment when you have a dental emergency depends on the type of emergency you have. When deciding where you should go for treatment consider, think of the following before making your decision.

Dental emergencies, or traumas involving the face and mouth, that require immediate medical attention include:
jaw fractures
jaw dislocations
serious lacerations of the soft tissues of the face and mouth
an abcess or infection that is very swollen or that is impacting breathing or swallowing (particularly if you are immunocompromised)Call 911 for Emergency Medical Services (EMS), or go directly to the hospital.


There are other dental emergencies that are not considered life-threatening but that still may require immediate care.
A broken or cracked tooth
An avulsed (lost/knocked out) tooth
Pain from a decayed or abscessed tooth (not swollen, not impacting breathing or swallowing)These do not necessarily require treatment at a hospital. Your dentist should be the first person you call. Hospitals are not equipped to provide you with the treatment necessary to restore a tooth or provide other dental treatment that may be required. That care should be sought quickly, but it needn't be in an ER.

Dental emergencies do not always occur at an ideal time of day (as if there is one), so your dentist may not be able to see you when you need him to.
If the dental emergency occurs during non-business hours, on a weekend, or a holiday -- and it is not considered life-threatening -- always call our after hours number.We will make every effort to manage your pain and discomfort until we can bring you into the office.
Dental emergencies should always be handled seriously. Preparing yourself in advance to handle a dental emergency when one occurs is invaluable knowledge that every member of the family should possess.

Dr Brian Johnson
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
1240 Upper Hembree Road
Suite C
Roswell,GA 30076
770.993.9809
www.BrianJohnsonDMD.com