What Should I Do If I Have A Dental Emergency During COVID-19? 

Due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, many dentists have shut down their offices in Sarasota and the rest of Florida. So what should you do if you have a serious dental emergency during the COVID-19 outbreak? Can you still get dental care from Dr. Robert Miller at Sarasota Bay Dental? Get answers to these questions and more in this blog, and get the emergency dental care you need.

Dentists Can Still Provide Emergency Dentistry Services During COVID-19 Lockdowns 

If you have a dental emergency in Sarasota during the COVID-19 lockdown, you can still get the care you need from an emergency dentist like Dr. Robert Miller. At Sarasota Bay Dental, we are still offering treatments for dental injuries and other emergencies that require urgent attention.

Dental offices have discontinued regular preventive care appointments and non-essential services because the COVID-19 coronavirus is airborne, and can be spread through droplets of saliva. Since dentistry involves working directly with the mouth, halting non-essential services is a good way to stop the spread of this virus.

The Florida COVID-19 mandate says that doctors including dentists must not offer “elective” procedures. However, this only includes “unnecessary, non-urgent or non-emergency procedure or surgeries.” 

That means that patients don’t have to be in pain if they have a dental emergency. Urgent dental matters still demand immediate treatment, and at Sarasota Bay Dental, we’re here to help you get the care you need.

What Counts As A Dental Emergency?

At Sarasota Bay Dental, we consider any dental issue that is causing pain, discomfort, or oral bleeding to be an emergency, and we recommend that you see Dr. Miller if you are experiencing a condition that meets any of these criteria. Common dental emergencies include:

• Loose and knocked-out teeth
• Cracked or broken teeth
• Serious toothaches
• Deep oral cuts and lacerations
• Pulled-out, loose, or damaged dental work
• Bleeding gums
  

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you think your condition counts as an emergency, give us a call at (941) 200-3723 to schedule a same-day appointment at Sarasota Bay Dental.

How Should I Handle My Dental Emergency? 4 Steps You Should Take

If you have a dental emergency and you need treatment from Sarasota Bay Dental, here’s a step-by-step guide that will help you through the process.

1. Call us for an appointment – The first thing you should do if you have a dental emergency is call Sarasota Bay Dental to schedule a same-day appointment with Dr. Robert Miller.
   
2. Recover your tooth or dental work (if applicable) – If your tooth was knocked out, recover it and rinse it off, then replace it in the socket or put it into a container of cold milk. Pulled-out dental work can be put into a small plastic bag to keep it secure.
   
3. Treat bleeding, pain and discomfort until your appointment – Don’t bother with this step if you have a knocked-out tooth. You need to come into our office within 1-2 hours to have it replaced, or your tooth will die.
   But for conditions that do not demand treatment this quickly, you can take steps to stay comfortable until you see Dr. Miller. Gauze and paper towels can be used to absorb blood. Pain can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers, and ice packs applied to the cheek can help with discomfort and swelling.
4. Come into our office as soon as you can – Once you come into Sarasota Bay Dental, Dr. Robert Miller will examine your mouth, and provide you with the dental care you need to restore your oral health and resolve your dental emergency. 
   

Get The Emergency Dental Care You Need Even During COVID-19

If you need emergency dentistry in Sarasota, Dr. Robert Miller is here to help. Immediate care is essential if you want to prevent further complications and treat the pain and discomfort of your condition. Contact us now at (941) 200-3723 to schedule a same-day appointment at Sarasota Bay Dental right away.