Wondering if that toothache is a real emergency?
You’re not alone. Nearly 2 million Americans end up in the emergency room every year for dental problems. That’s a lot of people who didn’t know the signs.
Here’s the thing…
Most dental issues start as minor problems. But then things can progress to an emergency really quickly. Being able to spot the warning signs can save you pain, money and even teeth.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Real Dental Emergencies
- Non-stop Pain
- Dangerous Bleeding
- Swelling & Infection
- Broken Teeth & Trauma
What Actually Counts As A Dental Emergency?
Let me let you in on a secret…
It’s not always obvious when a dental problem is an emergency. But there are some conditions that are immediate emergencies. Professional dental care services can quickly evaluate your situation and decide if you need immediate care or if it can wait for a regular appointment.
A true dental emergency is any condition that:
- Is a threat to your life
- Causes severe bleeding
- Results in intense pain
- Leads to permanent tooth loss
The key is differentiating “this can wait until Monday” from “I need help now”.
Severe Pain That Doesn’t Go Away
Here’s something that should concern you…
Severe tooth pain that lingers for more than a couple hours is a red flag. We’re not talking normal sensitivity from a cold drink. This is serious pain.
We’re talking pain that:
- Keeps you awake at night
- Makes it difficult to eat or drink
- Throbs constantly
- Grows progressively worse
Why does this happen?
The most common reason is an infection deep inside the tooth. The infection creates pressure which then causes significant pain. If left untreated, that infection can spread.
And here’s the kicker…
Over $45 billion in productivity is lost each year from untreated dental disease. Don’t be a statistic.
Uncontrollable Bleeding
A little mouth bleeding can be normal. If you were to cut your gums, the blood should clot after 10-15 minutes.
Heavy bleeding that won’t slow and clot in a reasonable time is an emergency. This can happen due to:
- Tooth extraction
- Injury or trauma
- Gum disease complications
- Biting your cheek or tongue accidentally
If it won’t stop after 10 minutes, call a dentist immediately.
Swelling In Your Mouth Or Face
Is your face looking puffy or swollen?
Swelling is one of the most serious warning signs. Facial swelling often signals an infection that’s spreading. When infections spread outside the tooth they become much more serious.
Look for swelling that:
- Comes on suddenly
- Feels warm or hot to the touch
- Makes it hard to swallow
- Is accompanied by fever and chills
Don’t play around with this one. Dental infections can spread to your jaw, neck, and brain if not treated.
Pretty scary, huh?
A Knocked-Out Tooth
Did you know about teeth getting knocked out?
Time is of the essence. You have about 30 minutes to one hour to save that tooth. The faster you get to the dentist, the greater the chances of saving the tooth.
What you should do immediately:
- Pick the tooth up by the crown (the part above the gum line). Don’t touch the root.
- Rinse it gently with water if it’s dirty. Don’t scrub.
- Try to re-insert the tooth into the socket if possible.
- If you can’t re-insert it, keep it moist in milk or saliva.
- GET TO A DENTIST IMMEDIATELY.
The American Dental Association states that knocked-out teeth are one of the few true dental emergencies where every minute counts.
Broken Or Cracked Teeth
Not all chips and cracks need emergency attention…
But some do. A small chip on the edge of a tooth may be able to wait. But a tooth broken in half with the inner nerve exposed? That’s an emergency.
You need help if:
- The break exposes the inner tooth or nerve
- It causes you severe pain
- It has sharp edges cutting your mouth
- A large portion of the tooth is missing
Even if it doesn’t hurt, a serious break can cause infection. Bacteria love to hide in cracks and broken areas on teeth.
Abscess Or Gum Infection
Know what one of the most dangerous dental conditions is?
Abscesses. This is a collection of pus caused by a bacterial infection. They often show up as a painful bump on your gums.
Symptoms of an abscess:
- Severe, throbbing pain
- Swollen gums
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
Don’t ignore these signs. Abscesses won’t heal by themselves. They can spread to other parts of the body and need professional treatment – usually antibiotics and drainage.
Lost Filling Or Crown
You may be surprised to know…
A lost filling or crown isn’t always an emergency. But it can become one fast if you don’t protect the tooth underneath.
Why does this matter?
The filling or crown was protecting the softer, more vulnerable parts of your tooth. Without it, bacteria can get in and cause infection. The exposed tooth is also more susceptible to breaks.
Ideally, you should see a dentist within 24-48 hours. In the meantime, you can buy dental cement at a pharmacy to temporarily protect the area.
Objects Stuck Between Teeth
Most of the time you can remove food wedged between teeth with dental floss…
But occasionally objects get stuck so tight that you can’t floss them out. If gentle flossing can’t budge it, don’t force it. You can damage your gums or push the object further in.
Never try to:
- Stick a pin or sewing needle in to try and poke it out
- Force it out with extreme pressure
- Ignore it and hope it works its way out
An object stuck between teeth can lead to infection, pain and damage to surrounding teeth. Get professional help to remove it.
The Bottom Line
Dental emergencies can happen. When they do, rapid action makes all the difference.
The majority of emergency dental situations involve severe pain, uncontrolled bleeding, signs of infection, or trauma that poses a serious threat to your teeth. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t delay.
Remember:
- Listen to your instincts – if you think it’s an emergency, it probably is
- Call your dentist first – most have after-hours emergency service numbers
- If you can’t reach your dentist and it’s life-threatening, go to the ER
- Keep your dentist’s emergency contact info in an easily accessible place
The cost of emergency dental care is always less than the cost of ignoring a serious problem. Early treatment also means less pain, quicker recovery, and better outcomes for your teeth.
Don’t let temporary discomfort turn into a permanent issue. Take care of your teeth.