During the current pandemic, COVID-19 has forced people to make dramatic changes in their daily lives. More people are working from home than ever before and local public health officials are advising everyone to stay in their homes as much as possible. On top of that, dental practices are largely closed for appointments except for dental emergencies. According to an emergency dentist in Reno, there are many reasons why you should visit a dental practice to handle a major dental issue and not the emergency room. Keep reading to learn why!
Emergency Dentists are Better Equipped Already
In many cases, emergency rooms not only lack the supplies and experience to handle a toothache or knocked-out tooth, but they may not even be legally allowed to perform treatment on you in the first place! When time is of the essence, the last thing you want to be told is that there’s nothing they can do and be given a handful of over-the-counter painkillers. Additionally, you might get hit with a high medical bill, despite the fact that your dental emergency wasn’t addressed.
Emergency dentists not only have the training and expertise to get you out of pain, but they have the technology to ensure that your issue does not come back. This is especially true in the event an oral infection or severe tooth decay triggers your emergency visit. Furthermore, emergency dentists are better able to resolve knocked-out teeth, particularly if you get to their office within an hour of the tooth falling out.
Hospitals and Emergency Rooms are Already Overworked
Hospitals all over the country are doing everything they can to meet higher demand as more patients visit for treatment due to COVID-19. As a result, doctors and nurses are already being extremely overworked and finding it difficult to handle emergencies unrelated to the current pandemic. The fact of the matter is emergency rooms already struggle to handle dental emergencies, so trying to get your issue handled during a pandemic is only going to result in an even more disappointing experience. By opting for an emergency dentist, you’re doing more favors for them in the long-term and making sure that those affected by COVID-19 can get the medical attention they need.
It’s the Best Way to Avoid Getting Sick
Hospitals are largely becoming more crowded than usual as a result of COVID-19, which means your risk of contracting the virus is actually much higher if you were to visit a hospital. While hospitals do their best to practice sanitization protocols and keep all visitors safe from contracting diseases, dental offices are not experiencing the same level of traffic that hospitals are. Dental practices are also much smaller, making them easier to maintain and sanitize.
At the end of the day, it’s more than likely more appropriate to call a dentist in Reno when you’re experiencing a dental emergency. Not only are they better equipped and have the knowledge to do so, but you’re also reducing your risk of getting sick and doing your part to help hospital workers who are already overwhelmed with patients.
About Sage Dental Care
Dr. Branco and Dr. Kim are prepared to handle dental emergencies during the pandemic, including severe oral discomfort, knocked-out or fractured teeth, or other issues that you may find concerning. Dr. Branco has years of experience as an oral surgeon, while Dr. Kim has studied complex mouth reconstructions. This makes them the perfect team for addressing your dental emergency! To schedule an appointment, you can contact them through their website.