The answer here can vary. As is the case for any medical emergency, the level of care required for a dental emergency depends on the nature and severity of the issues. In short, whether you can or should go to the emergency room for a dental issue depends on the type of dental emergency you’re dealing with.
Generally speaking, however, hospital emergency rooms, as well-equipped as they are to handle a wide range of medical emergencies, generally aren’t optimally prepared to handle dental emergencies, which often require specialized equipment and care.
There are also instances in which a dental emergency requires not only immediate attention but immediate attention from a dental professional.
Emergencies that require a dental professional
- A knocked-out tooth, which may be saved via prompt re-implantation
- Extreme tooth pain that is unresponsive to all at-home pain relief solutions
- Persistent bleeding from the mouth that doesn't stop with pressure
- Infections like dental abscesses (pockets of pus between a tooth and the gums)
- Injuries stemming from traumatic impact resulting in loose or displaced teeth
Emergency Dentist in Foothill Ranch, CA
If you’re in Foothill Ranch or Lake Forest and want to ensure that you get top-quality dental care when you most need it, dentist Dr. Roy Kim and the Healthy Living Dentistry team are here to give you a warm and compassionate hand in your moment of need!