A Las Vegas dentist took to Instagram to remind patients what constitutes a dental emergency and to avoid unnecessary emergency room trips amid the pandemic, NBC affiliate KSNV reported.
Bianca Velayo, DMD, host of the "Oral Health Minute" video series on Instagram, told patients that incessant bleeding, painful swelling or severe pain are considered dental emergencies. She recommended patients contact their dentist for a dental emergency before going to the ER, as emergency rooms can only provide temporary solutions to dental issues.
Dental disorders rank in the top three reasons avoidable ER visits occur, Dr. Velayo said. Nationwide, a patient goes to an ER every 14 seconds for a dental issue, according to KSNV.