Some dental procedures can wait until your next checkup, while others should be handled immediately. Here is what is considered to be a dental emergency.

Having a toothache or other dental issue is never pleasant. When there’s pain involved, any problem with your teeth may feel like an emergency to you. However, if it’s a weekend or holiday and you’re debating whether to call your dentist, you may wonder whether your problem truly is a dental emergency.

Do you need to seek treatment right away, or can it wait until you can make an appointment? Here are 7 reasons why you may need to seek emergency dental services right away.

1. Lost Tooth

Knocking out a tooth is a big deal! Whether you’ve lost a tooth while playing sports, in an accident, or even in an assault, this is definitely a dental emergency.

As long as you handle the tooth properly, the dentist may be able to reinsert your tooth into the socket and save it. Ideally, you’ll want to make sure you get treatment within 15 to 30 minutes of the incident.

Make sure to handle the tooth gently, avoiding touching the root. Rinse off any dirt or debris that may have stuck to it, then gently place it back in the socket or hold it between your cheek and gums. If this isn’t possible, store the tooth in cold, whole milk while you’re on the way to the emergency dentist.

2. Fractured Tooth

A fractured tooth is another dental emergency. An emergency dentist can often fix a small crack with filling. A more severe crack may need a root canal and a crown.

In some extreme cases, the dentist may need to extract your tooth.

If you fracture your tooth, contact your dentist right away to discuss your options. While you’re waiting to be seen, rinse your mouth with warm water and use a cold compress to cut down on facial swelling.

If you have a chipped or cracked tooth, it’s okay to take acetaminophen to help reduce the pain. However, you’ll want to avoid using a numbing gel, as this could cause damage to your gums.

3. Loose Tooth

While a loose tooth is no big deal for a child, as an adult, if you notice your tooth starting to wiggle, it’s time to head to the emergency dentist. Once again, fast treatment may mean the difference between saving and losing the tooth.

Some common causes of loose teeth include traumatic injuries, tooth grinding, and tooth decay. No matter what the reason, you’ll always want to seek treatment as soon as possible.

4. Abscess

An abscess is a severe infection in your mouth. It can be caused by tooth rot or an infection in the gums.

An abscess is created by bacteria that builds up and inflames the tooth pulp. Eventually, the build-up of pus can lead to severe pain, swelling, and fever. Some of the early signs of an abscess include an ongoing toothache, heat/cold tooth sensitivity, and a bad taste in your mouth.

This is always an emergency. Not only is it incredibly painful, but an abscess can also spread to your jaw or even to other areas of your body. It’s possible for the infection to lead to potentially life-threatening complications.

5. Extreme Pain and Bleeding

Any time you’re experiencing extreme mouth pain or excessive bleeding, it’s a good idea to contact the emergency dentist. There are a variety of possible causes, and it makes sense to have it checked out as soon as you can.

While a dull toothache is unlikely to be a true emergency, if it’s very painful or accompanied by swelling,

contact your dentist. The same goes for bleeding. A bit of blood after you floss is no big deal, but bleeding that won’t stop warrants an emergency dental visit.

6. Dental Implant Issues

Problems with dental implants may be considered an emergency. This is particularly true if there’s an orthodontic wire that is causing discomfort since this can lead to a more severe injury.

Dental implants are designed to remain permanently attached to your mouth. If they fall out or become loose, you’ll want to contact your dentist right away. This is typically considered an “urgent” issue rather than an emergency. However, in some cases, the dentist may recommend emergency treatment.

7. Other Dental Emergencies

While they might be unpleasant, some things, like a mild toothache or a broken retainer, can wait a couple of days until you can get a regular dental appointment. However, if you’re experiencing any of the following issues, you’ll want to at least reach out to the dentist to see if they recommend emergency treatment:

Gum injuries or infections
Fractured jawline
Sharp objects stuck in the mouth
Lost filling or crown
Severe bites to the lip or tongue

If you have a severe cavity that’s causing extreme pain, your dentist may determine that you need an emergency dental extraction.

If you’re in doubt, it’s always better to reach out and let them decide whether the situation warrants emergency treatment. When you reach out, there’s a chance you may need to leave a message on a machine or with an answering service. Make sure you remain calm and provide as much detail as possible so the dental professional on-call can determine whether you really do need emergency treatment.

Dealing With a Dental Emergency? Contact Us Today

If you have a dental emergency, you need a great dentist you can trust! At Radiant Dental Studio, we welcome emergency visits.

Don’t take a chance by simply Googling “Emergency Dental Care Near Me.” Instead, turn to New York’s most trusted dentist. Contact us today to request your emergency appointment.

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