Emergency Dentistry

What is a dental emergency?

Dental emergencies can come in different forms, such as sudden and severe toothaches, accidents that chip or crack teeth, loose or damaged restorations, or lost teeth. According to statistics, about 22% of people have experienced dental or oral pain in the last six months. To determine if your situation is an emergency, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you have severe pain or swelling?
• Do you have a painful toothache that won’t go away?
• Do you have a loose or knocked-out tooth?
• Do you have swelling in your cheeks or face along with a toothache?
• Do you experience extreme tooth sensitivity?
• Do you have uncontrollable mouth bleeding?
• Is your jaw injured?

Generally, any dental issue that requires immediate treatment to stop bleeding, alleviate severe pain, or save a tooth is considered an emergency. This consideration also applies to severe infections that can be life-threatening, and you should contact your dental office immediately.

What is not a dental emergency?

If you are dealing with a dental issue that you can manage on your own for a few days without seeing your dentist, it is most likely not an emergency that requires immediate attention. For instance, if you have a chipped or cracked tooth, it only becomes an emergency if the fracture is causing pain or has resulted in an injury inside your mouth. Similarly, if you have lost a tooth or filling, you can wait a few days before visiting your dentist.

What’s the best way to handle a dental emergency?

The best thing to do in a dental emergency is to contact your dentist, unless it is extremely severe then you should go to the emergency room.

Depending on the dental emergency you are experiencing, there may be some things you can do at home to ease your pain and help the situation. Some efforts include:

• Dissolve a teaspoon of salt into a mug of warm water and use it as a mouthwash
• If your tooth is knocked out, place it in a glass of milk until you can see your dentist
• Try flossing to eliminate any gum pressure
• Use a cold compress on the swelling or painful area
• Swish with Hydrogen Peroxide to kill bacteria
• Take over-the-counter pain medication to alleviate pain