When you think of the word “dentist”, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? The majority of us would only think of going to one whenever there’s discomfort or pain you feel in your teeth, gums, or mouth. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially if the circumstance is unplanned, and knowing which dentist should be in your contacts might help ease your worries.
Dentistry may be something we only think about when the problem is there, but we can change our viewpoint if we know the difference between dental professionals, like those who work closely with us, and those who are there to help us in tight situations.
What is a dentist, and what does a dentist do?
This question might sound a bit weird to ask, but it’s something we need to rediscover – a dentist, while we know that they are a trained healthcare professional, focuses on preventing any dental issues that you have even before they get serious.
The focus here is the word ‘prevention’, and that also means regular check-ups, professional teeth cleaning, and tips and advice on how to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy at home.
What Is a General Dentist?
A general dentist is the dental professional most people are familiar with, as it is the dentist we see for regular appointments. They focus on routine and preventive dental care, as well as other treatments like fillings for cavities, gum diseases, tooth extractions that are not urgent, and even dentures.
At the same time, general dentists are the ones you build relationships with, as they know the history of your oral health. They usually work with the standard business hours, and usually you need to book an appointment to see them.
What Is an Emergency Dentist?
The emergency dentist on the other hand deals with urgent dental problems that cannot wait as the situations cause unbearable pain, infection, and even damage to the well-being of the patient. And although the majority of teeth issues are not an emergency, sometimes pain piles up, making it too difficult to book it for a regular appointment.
Dental problems like these can happen at any time, and they are usually at a time where you are not prepared for any dental appointments. Emergency dentists are set up to respond quickly and often outside the normal work hours.
Emergency Dentist vs General Dentist: The Key Differences
Regarded as the best emergency dentist in Canterbury, Dentistry in Canterbury is committed to resolving your urgent dental pain with speed and expertise. General dentists, on the other hand, work with you through the process of your overall dental health. While both are qualified dentists, the difference lies in timing, purpose, and approach.
- Both are available to take your dental issues in, but general dentists usually work by appointment and within standard working hours, while emergency dentists prioritize urgent cases where care needs to be immediate
- You will need both a general dentist and an emergency dentist if you plan to commit to the overall wellbeing of your dental health, as a general dentist will plan a course of treatment over several visits, while an emergency dentist will focus on what needs to be done right at that moment to stop any serious complications to your teeth, gums, or mouth.
Why People Delay Dental Care and How To Prepare
Fear and worry over things that have happened to people during their previous dental visits might be the root cause as to why many people put off dental visits, and with the growing demand in our responsibilities, time is not in our hands unless we make a schedule for it.
We do not want to delay the care we need, and at most we do not want to turn issues into emergency situations as well. A little preparation helps, even with the simplest information, like knowing where your nearest emergency dental clinic is, the contact details of the dentists, and observing the condition of your mouth if there is any ongoing pain.
Oral health matters more than you think.
Juggling commitments and responsibilities is really hard, especially if time is not on our hands, but if you prioritise your health and well-being, looking after your dental health will also aid you in keeping your life in control and in your best self. Regardless if you need a general dentist or an emergency dentist, brushing and flossing should still be done on an everyday basis, as these small tasks will lead to greater effects to your oral health.