Dental emergencies can happen suddenly, whether you experience a severe toothache, break a tooth while eating, or suffer an injury to your mouth. Knowing what to do when a dental emergency occurs can help protect your teeth, reduce discomfort, and get you the care you need as quickly as possible.
Not every dental problem requires immediate treatment, but certain symptoms and injuries should be evaluated by a dentist promptly. When in doubt, it's always best to contact your dental office and explain what's happening.
What Is Considered a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is generally a problem that requires prompt attention to relieve significant pain, stop bleeding, prevent further damage, or address an infection.
Dental emergencies may include:
- A knocked-out permanent tooth
- A severely cracked or broken tooth
- A tooth that has been partially knocked out or displaced
- Severe or persistent tooth pain
- Significant swelling in the gums, face, or jaw
- A dental abscess or other signs of infection
- Uncontrolled bleeding following a dental injury
- A lost filling or crown that is causing significant pain or leaving the tooth vulnerable
- An injury to the mouth, teeth, or gums
If you're experiencing severe swelling that is affecting your ability to breathe or swallow, seek emergency medical care immediately.
What Should You Do If a Tooth Is Knocked Out?
A knocked-out permanent tooth requires prompt attention. If you can find the tooth, carefully pick it up by the crown, or the part of the tooth that is normally visible above the gumline. Avoid touching the root.
If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with water without scrubbing it. If possible, try to place the tooth back into its socket and hold it gently in place. If you cannot safely reinsert it, keep the tooth moist and bring it with you when you seek dental care. Milk can be used as a temporary storage medium.
Contact Pinewood Family Dental or an emergency dental provider as soon as possible. Acting quickly can give the tooth the best possible chance of being successfully treated. If a baby tooth is knocked out, do not attempt to put it back into the socket. Contact your child's dentist for guidance.
What Should You Do for a Chipped or Broken Tooth?
If you chip or break a tooth, save any pieces you can find and gently rinse your mouth with water. Contact your dentist as soon as possible for an evaluation.
A cold compress against the outside of your cheek may help with swelling. Until you're able to see your dentist, avoid chewing on the affected side and try to protect the damaged tooth from additional trauma.
Depending on the severity of the damage, treatment could include dental bonding, a filling, a crown, or another restorative procedure.
What If You Have a Severe Toothache?
Tooth pain can have several possible causes, including tooth decay, an infection, a cracked tooth, or inflammation affecting the inside of the tooth. Severe or persistent pain shouldn't be ignored, even if it temporarily improves.
Contact your dentist and describe your symptoms. Your dental team can help determine how quickly you need to be seen and what you should do while you wait for your appointment.
Never place aspirin directly against your tooth or gums to try to relieve pain. It can irritate or damage the surrounding tissue.
How Can You Preserve an Injured Tooth?
When a dental injury occurs, what you do immediately afterward can make a difference. If possible, save broken pieces of a tooth, keep a knocked-out permanent tooth moist, and avoid chewing on or putting unnecessary pressure on an injured tooth.
Most importantly, contact your dentist promptly. Even if a damaged tooth doesn't hurt, there may be an underlying injury that isn't immediately visible. A dental examination can help determine whether the tooth needs treatment and prevent a small problem from becoming more serious.
Call for an Emergency Dental Appointment
If you're experiencing a dental emergency, don't wait to see whether the problem goes away on its own. Call Pinewood Family Dental and let our team know what happened.
When you call, be prepared to explain:
- When the injury or symptoms began
- Where you're experiencing pain
- Whether you have swelling or bleeding
- Whether a tooth is broken, loose, or missing
- Any other symptoms you're experiencing
This information can help your dental team determine the urgency of your situation and recommend the appropriate next steps.
Why Follow-Up Care Matters in a Dental Emergency
Emergency treatment is often just the first step in restoring your oral health. Depending on the type and severity of the emergency, you may need additional treatment or follow-up appointments.
For example, a damaged tooth may eventually need a permanent restoration, while a tooth that has experienced trauma may need to be monitored for changes over time. Following your dentist's recommendations can help protect the affected tooth and reduce the risk of future complications.
At Pinewood Family Dental, we're here to help you navigate unexpected dental problems with compassionate, personalized care. If you're experiencing a dental emergency, contact our office as soon as possible so we can help you determine what to do next and get your smile back on track.
