A swollen cheek or sharp, uncontrollable mouth pain is a sign of a dental emergency. Without dental care, you may not be able to decipher what the root of the problem is. That is why it's important to see a dentist right away. But unfortunately, those urgent dental problems often happen either after business hours or on weekends. Of course, most dental practices are closed during these times, but here are some suggestions for still getting proper emergency dental care. 

Call Your Family Dentist

If you can get into see your family dentist right away, that is the best solution. If the accident or issue occurs on the weekend or after hours, this may not be an option. The good news is that most dental offices and clinics have an answering service. If you experience a dental emergency, you may be able to get your dentist to call you back and meet you at the office either that day or early the next morning. This is often available as long as you have a good patient history with that dentist and their practice. 

Go to the Local Emergency Room

For uncontrollable bleeding, severe pain, swelling, or fever associated with a tooth or jaw, go to your nearest emergency room. Pros can assess where the problem is coming from and provide temporary care or relief until you can get in to see your dentist or oral surgeon. In some cases, it could be the sign of an infection. Antibiotics will be given to help prevent the infection from spreading into the bloodstream.  

Dental Walk-In Clinic

A broken tooth or nerve pain warrants a trip to the dentist. If you're having trouble finding a new dentist or establishing yourself as a new patient, a walk-in clinic is an option. These are often in larger cities, or you might be able to find dental schools with students who perform care. They are often very affordable. Call ahead of time to make sure you can get in right away. Also ask if they provide emergency or complex dental care and extractions. 

See Your Primary Care Doc 

If you have no dentist or are unable to get in to see one, try your primary care doctor's office. They should be able to get you in quickly and assess the situation. While they can't provide major dental services in their offices, they can provide infection control and get you referred out to a specialist for emergency dental care services. Even if you don't have a dentist you see regularly, the referral from your doctor's office can help expedite the dentist visit. 

Time is of the essence when dealing with a dental emergency. Not only can an abscess or broken tooth be painful, but it can also quickly lead to further medical complications. It may not be a dentist you see initially, but rather another medical provider. Seek medical help as soon as possible so you'll be pain free sooner rather than later. Contact a dentist who provides emergency dental care services to learn more.