Dental emergencies can happen to you or a family member at any time. These events often cause significant discomfort and anxiety. Depending on your issue, you may need different types of care. Some acute dental problems are true emergencies, while others can wait until the next day for an appointment. This blog will help you distinguish between these events and provide tips for managing an emergency.
True Dental Emergencies
If you experience any of these symptoms, call us immediately:
Severe Toothache
A severe toothache is too painful to allow you to relax, eat, or sleep. Numerous conditions can cause a severe toothache, including infections, abscesses, and the need for a root canal.
Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Tooth
A permanent or primary tooth knocked out is a dental emergency. Prompt action may save a permanent tooth.
Broken or Cracked Tooth
If your broken or cracked tooth causes intense pain, call our office immediately. You may have an exposed root or an infection.
Infection or Abscess
If you have a pimple-like swelling on your gum, you may have a dental abscess. An abscess requires immediate dental attention.
Intense Sensitivity to Heat, Cold, or Pressure
If your tooth feels much worse when exposed to one of these three stimuli, you likely need a root canal. If your tooth remains sensitive after the stimulus is removed, this is another sign of a serious problem. Call us as soon as possible.
When to Call the ER First
If you're facing a serious situation and are unsure which medical provider to call, always call emergency services first. Here are a few examples that require emergency medical attention:
- Severe facial lacerations
- Bleeding that won't stop
- Facial trauma
- Broken bones
- Any life-threatening emergency
Less Urgent Issues
These issues need prompt professional attention, but can safely wait for a next-day appointment in most cases.
Losing a Filling or Crown
Unless your lost filling or crown causes severe pain, it can typically wait until a business day. Do not wait any longer than that, because a missing restoration can allow bacteria to enter the exposed tooth. Save the crown if you lose it; we can often cement it back into place.
Chipped Tooth
If you chip a tooth, you will likely need bonding or another type of cosmetic treatment. If your tooth is painful, call our after-hours phone number.
Dull Toothache
A dull toothache may bother you from time to time, but you can still eat, sleep, and relax. If your toothache gets worse, call us.
Tips for Managing an Acute Dental Issue
First, approach your dental emergency calmly. It is easy to become upset, especially when the patient involved is a loved one. Staying calm will help everyone get through this difficult situation.
If you have a knocked-out permanent tooth, find and preserve it as soon as possible. Place the tooth in a container of milk, saliva, or a tooth-preservation solution, and call our office. The sooner you arrive at our office, the greater our chance of saving your permanent tooth.
If a child knocks out a primary tooth, call us immediately for an emergency visit. While a primary tooth cannot be replanted due to the damage it would cause to the underlying permanent tooth, we will examine the surrounding teeth and gums for signs of damage.
When In Doubt, Call
If you have any questions about your dental emergency and are unsure whether it warrants immediate attention, call our office. We would rather evaluate your tooth in person and determine whether it is stable than let a potentially serious situation go untreated.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Emergencies
Can the ER pull a tooth?
Emergency rooms in hospitals do not have dentists on staff. If you require a tooth extraction, you will need to see a dental professional. However, if you have potentially life-threatening symptoms, see the ER before calling us.
What are the chances of saving a knocked-out tooth?
Knocked-out or avulsed permanent teeth can often be replanted successfully as long as you preserve the tooth as directed. If the tooth is dry or kept in tap water, for example, the root cells may die, preventing reimplantation. The sooner you receive dental care, the better.
At JM Dental of Westbury, we want to help you when you need us most. We accept calls after our regular hours to provide treatment. Whether you need emergency or routine care, contact us today.