Knowing when to seek emergency dental care can be tricky. While many dental issues are extremely time sensitive, others can be left for months with little risk.
Some tooth problems, like cavities, are slow to change. If there is no pain and the dental issue is not the result of trauma, usually treatment can wait until the next business day. However, there are some dental problems that cannot wait even a few hours. The following issues constitute emergencies.
If a tooth has become loosened or been knocked out entirely, it needs to be fixed immediately. The difference between being able to save a tooth and having to lose it permanently is only a few hours.
If the tooth has been knocked loose, rinse it gently in water, touching the root as little as possible. Then try to place the tooth back in its socket for the journey to the dentist’s office. If the tooth will not fit back in its socket, place it in a cup of water or milk and bring it with.
Cracked teeth may or may not be an emergency. A small chip can usually wait a few days. If large pieces of the tooth are missing or if a crack has appeared on the tooth, immediate action is necessary. Sometimes what appear to be cracks are merely “stress fractures,” a relatively harmless condition that rarely requires treatment. However, only a dentist is able to correctly tell if the tooth is in immediate danger.
Bleeding from a dental injury should be easily stopped with some gauze and light pressure. If gums continue to bleed despite these measures, it is considered an emergency.
A severe toothache is almost always cause for an immediate dental appointment. Pain typically signals an infection or tooth damage that has reached the nerve. Both are urgent issues. At-home treatments for toothache can be tried first, but if the issue does not resolve, then a dentist needs to be consulted.
Swelling of the jaw or mouth is often a sign of an infection or abscess. These require immediate attention once they have become severe. Slight swelling or moderate pain can probably wait until normal business hours to be addressed. Anything that comes on suddenly should be seen right away.
Swelling can increase rapidly if left untreated, and swelling around the face and mouth can be particularly dangerous because of the possibility of restricting the airways. If swelling worsens or persists, do not wait to schedule an appointment.
It is always better to be safe than sorry. When it is not clear whether a situation is an emergency, err on the side of caution. Schedule an emergency dental appointment or at least call for a short phone consultation. A dentist may be able to identify the severity of the issue over the phone.
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