A dental emergency can occur at any time and occur in various ways, with some cases requiring more urgent attention than others. Many people hesitate to reach out to their dentist during such times, uncertain whether their situation qualifies as an emergency and if insurance covers the treatment.
In many cases, a dental emergency demands immediate attention. Specific injuries affecting your teeth or gums can escalate, potentially causing additional harm.
While some issues may seem less urgent, delaying dental care can lead to more significant complications in the future. It’s advisable to err on the side of caution and seek prompt, professional evaluation.
What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency refers to any dental issue that requires immediate attention from a professional.
While not all dental problems qualify as emergencies, situations such as uncontrollable bleeding, persistent pain unrelieved by medication, or fractures in facial bones require prompt dental emergency care.
What Should You Do in a Dental Emergency?
If you experience a dental emergency, the first thing you need to do is contact your dentist for guidance. Most dentists provide an emergency contact number for after-hours assistance.
If you do not have a regular dentist, consider visiting an urgent care center or the nearest emergency room for immediate attention.
Where to Go for Care in Case of a Dental Emergency
For common dental emergencies such as a broken or knocked-out tooth, your dentist will provide treatment at their office. However, for more severe injuries like broken facial bones or uncontrollable bleeding, it’s advisable to seek immediate care in the emergency room.
Common Types of Dental Emergencies
Severe Toothache
A severe toothache is characterized by intense, persistent pain in or around a tooth. It may be accompanied by sensitivity to temperature, swelling around the tooth, and discomfort that is not relieved by over-the-counter pain relievers.
What to Do Until You See an Emergency Dentist
- Rinse your mouth with warm water to disinfect the area.
- Use dental floss to remove any food trapped between your teeth.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed.
Badly Cracked Tooth
A badly cracked tooth involves a fracture that extends into the tooth’s root, causing pain when chewing or biting. It can expose the tooth’s nerve, leading to sensitivity to temperature changes and potential infections.
What to Do Until You See an Emergency Dentist
- Rinse your mouth with warm water to cleanse the area.
- Apply a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed.
Knocked-Out Tooth
When a tooth is completely knocked out, it requires immediate attention. Time is critical as successful re-implantation is most likely within the first hour.
What to Do Until You See an Emergency Dentist
- Handle the tooth by the crown (top part), avoiding touching the root.
- Rinse the tooth gently with water if it’s dirty, but refrain from scrubbing it.
- If possible, try to reinsert the tooth into the socket and hold it in place by gently biting down on a clean cloth.
- If you can’t reinsert the tooth, keep it moist by placing it in milk or a tooth-preservation product recommended by your dentist.
Partially Dislodged Tooth
A partially dislodged or “extruded” tooth is one that has been pushed partially out of its socket due to trauma. Immediate dental care is necessary to reposition and stabilize the tooth to prevent further damage.
What to Do Until You See an Emergency Dentist
- Gently try repositioning the tooth to its normal alignment using light finger pressure.
- Bite down on a clean cloth to hold the tooth in place.
- Avoid putting pressure on the tooth when eating.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a painful infection around a tooth’s root or between teeth and gums, sometimes appearing as a pimple or blister. It typically leads to facial and jaw swelling, fever, and a bad taste in the mouth.
What to Do Until You See an Emergency Dentist
- Rinse your mouth with a mild saltwater solution (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water).
- Use a cold compress outside your cheek to relieve pain and swelling.
Lost or Broken Dental Restoration
This dental emergency refers to a lost filling, crown, bridge, or other dental restoration. It can expose sensitive tooth structures to bacteria and temperature changes, leading to discomfort and potential damage to the tooth.
What to Do Until You See an Emergency Dentist
- Clean the area around the restoration carefully with warm water.
- Use dental cement (available at pharmacies) or temporary filling material to cover any exposed tooth surfaces until you can see your emergency dentist.
Severe Soft Tissue Injury
Severe soft tissue injuries in the mouth, such as cuts, tears, or puncture wounds to the lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue, can result from accidents or trauma. These injuries can cause significant (sometimes uncontrollable) bleeding and require immediate attention to control bleeding, clean the wound, and prevent infection.
What to Do Until You See an Emergency Dentist
- Clean the area gently with warm water.
- Apply pressure with a clean cloth to stop or control bleeding.
- Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling and pain.
Not Sure if You are Experiencing a Dental Emergency?
There are also scenarios that do not qualify as dental emergencies. These situations still require prompt attention from your dentist, but can typically wait for a scheduled appointment during regular business hours.
Some examples of situations that do not qualify as dental emergencies include:
- Mild or dull toothaches.
- Small chips or cracks in teeth.
- Broken braces.
- Objects lodged between teeth.
- Minor injuries to soft tissues, such as small cuts or sores.
However, if you experience severe bleeding or intense pain, it’s important to seek immediate care from a dental or healthcare provider.
Best Practices to Manage a Dental Emergency Until You See Your Emergency Dentist
- Stay calm, think clearly, and act decisively.
- Evaluate the severity of the problem. Determine if there is bleeding, pain, swelling, or if a tooth has been knocked out or damaged.
- Call your dentist immediately, even if it’s after hours. Many dentists have emergency contact numbers for such situations.
- Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a cloth to control bleeding for about 10-15 minutes until the bleeding stops.
- Use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek or mouth near the affected area to reduce swelling, if any, and alleviate pain.
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers as directed to help manage pain until you receive professional treatment.
- Even if you manage to alleviate immediate pain and symptoms, seeing your emergency dentist as soon as possible is crucial for proper evaluation and treatment to prevent further complications.
Bottomline
A dental emergency refers to any injury in your mouth that leads to uncontrollable bleeding, intense pain, or fractures in facial bones. Without timely treatment, such emergencies can escalate, leading to potential complications like infection, tooth loosening, or even tooth loss.
If you are in intense pain, have a fever, or are dealing with uncontrollable swelling or bleeding, you must get professional help without delay. Contact your dentist immediately or visit the emergency room if necessary, as certain issues can pose serious health risks.
Get Prompt Emergency Dental Care at Mount Zion Dental
Contact our emergency dental services team by calling us at (786) 648-4601 or scheduling an appointment.