What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
A minor issue without pain or bleeding, like a slightly chipped tooth, can often wait for a regular appointment. If you are dealing with any of the following, or you feel your situation is serious, call us right away:
- Severe Toothache that keeps you up at night or never eases
- Cracked or Broken Tooth with pain, sharp edges, or bleeding
- Knocked-Out or Loose Tooth after an injury or a fall
- Swollen or Bleeding Gums that are severe or getting worse
- Lost or Broken Restoration such as a crown, bridge, or filling
- Dental Abscess with a painful bump, swelling, or a bad taste
When in doubt, call. We would rather hear from you early than have you wait and worry.
What Should I Do Before I Can Get to the Dentist?
A few quick steps can protect your tooth on the way. According to the American Dental Association, a knocked-out adult tooth should stay moist, either placed back in the socket without touching the root or kept in milk. For a cracked tooth, rinse with warm water and apply a cold compress to your face. For a toothache, rinse and gently floss out any trapped food, and never place aspirin directly on the tooth or gums.
Should I Go to the ER or an Emergency Dentist?
For most tooth, gum, and jaw problems, a dentist is the better choice. Many emergency rooms aren’t equipped to treat teeth and often can only offer pain relief and a referral. Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have facial swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, bleeding you cannot control, or a serious injury to your head or jaw. If your dental problem happens when our office is closed, the nearest emergency room can keep you safe until we can see you.
How Can I Prevent a Dental Emergency?
Many emergencies can be avoided. Regular exams and cleanings help us catch a failing filling or a cracked tooth before it turns painful. If you play sports, a custom mouthguard protects your teeth from impact. Skip chewing ice and hard candy, and use scissors, never your teeth, to open packages. If a damaged tooth cannot be saved, we can talk through replacing it with a dental crown or dental implant.
