Wondering if your toothache is bad enough to break up your weekend?
Truth is most people don't know when a dental issue is really an emergency. They suffer in agony until something gives or drag themselves to the ER before getting the runaround.
But it doesn't have to be that way.
Knowing when you need emergency dental services is easy once you know what to look for.
It's the difference between saving your tooth, avoiding serious pain, and preventing a potentially dangerous infection from spreading throughout your body.
So if you're wondering whether you should call your dentist or just power through that toothache…
Don't take any chances with your oral health. Read on to learn the 5 top signs you need emergency dental services asap.
What you'll discover:
- When Dental Pain Becomes A Real Emergency
- The Top Warning Signs You Can't Ignore
- What Happens If You Wait Too Long
- How To Handle Common Dental Emergencies
When Dental Pain Becomes A Real Emergency
Let's be honest – not every dental issue is a 911 emergency.
You probably don't need to run to the dentist immediately after finding yourself with a headache or a slight toothache.
On the other hand, there are certain problems which absolutely do require emergency treatment.
Emergency dentists are there for a reason. In fact, over 40% of American adults experience mouth pain severe enough to disrupt their daily lives every year, and a significant number of these conditions require emergency care.
So when should you make the call and visit an emergency dentist?
Unfortunately, the answer isn't always clear cut, which is exactly why people hesitate and end up with much bigger problems.
The Top Warning Signs You Can't Ignore
Wondering if your dental situation is bad enough to warrant emergency treatment? Don't take chances. If you experience any of the following 5 warning signs, go straight to the dentist.
Severe, Unrelenting Pain
If you have tooth pain so severe that OTC medications aren't touching it, that's your body's way of waving the red flag that something is very wrong.
Severe tooth pain often indicates:
- Deep decay that has reached the nerve
- A serious tooth or gum infection (abscess)
- Exposed tooth roots
- Cracked teeth affecting the pulp
Don't be a hero. Pain this intense only gets worse. Don't wait until it's too late to call your dentist.
Facial Swelling That's Getting Worse
Swelling around your jaw, cheek, or neck is never a good sign.
It's even more dangerous if it's accompanied by:
- Trouble swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever or chills
- Bad taste in your mouth
Facial swelling is your body's reaction to an infection that is rapidly spreading from the tooth to the surrounding gum and bone tissue.
If left untreated, this infection can spread further and become a life-threatening problem.
Uncontrolled Bleeding
Some bleeding after a tooth extraction or other dental procedure is normal and to be expected.
If you experience:
- Bleeding that will not stop after 15 minutes of direct pressure
- Excessive bleeding from your gums for no apparent reason
- Blood that is mixed with pus or other discharge
You need to contact an emergency dentist immediately.
Persistent bleeding is not normal and may indicate advanced gum disease, oral trauma, or another condition that needs to be assessed by a professional asap.
Knocked-Out or Broken Teeth
When it comes to dental trauma, time is of the essence.
In the case of knocked-out teeth, you have about 30 minutes to get to a dentist if you want the best possible chance of saving the tooth.
The longer you wait to get it replaced, the more limited and expensive your options become.
- Pick the tooth up by the crown (not the root)
- Rinse off gently with water if it's dirty (do not scrub)
- Try to reinsert it back into the socket
- If not possible, place in a glass of milk
Broken teeth with sharp edges or exposed nerves also need immediate attention to prevent infection and further damage.
Signs of Serious Infection
Dental infections are nothing to mess with. They spread fast and can become very dangerous if left untreated.
Watch for the following red flags:
- Persistent bad taste or smell
- Drainage of pus
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever over 101°F
- General sense of being unwell
Keep in mind: Nearly 200,000 people end up in the ER each year for dental abscesses. The majority of these cases could have been prevented with early treatment.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long
Delaying emergency dental services is like ignoring the fire alarm.
The problem will not go away and, in fact, will get significantly worse.
Here's what waiting too long for emergency dental care can lead to:
Infections That Spread
Untreated dental infections do not stay localized.
Left untreated, infections from an abscessed tooth will rapidly spread throughout your jaw, neck, and even your brain in severe cases.
Infections this serious can become life-threatening.
The bacteria which cause dental abscesses are very aggressive and travel quickly through the bloodstream, leading to serious health complications throughout your body.
Permanent Tooth Loss
Lots of teeth which could be saved with early treatment end up needing extraction when people wait too long for emergency services.
Losing a tooth forever means looking at expensive replacement options like implants, bridges, or dentures.
Much Higher Treatment Costs
Emergency dental services might seem like an unnecessary expense, but they're not nearly as much as the complex, costly procedures you'll need if you put off treatment.
A simple filling today can turn into a root canal, crown, or extraction later.
How To Handle Common Dental Emergencies
When dental emergencies strike, being prepared can make all the difference.
Here's what to do in the event of some of the most common dental emergencies:
Severe Toothaches
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water
- Use dental floss to remove any food debris
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek
- Take OTC pain relievers as directed
- Never put aspirin directly onto your gums
Knocked-Out Teeth
- Handle tooth by the crown only
- Rinse gently with water if dirty (do not scrub)
- Try to reinsert into the socket
- If that's not possible, store it in milk or saliva
- Get to a dentist within 30 minutes
Broken or Cracked Teeth
- Save any broken pieces
- Rinse your mouth with warm water
- Apply gauze if there is bleeding
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
- Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth
Objects Stuck Between Teeth
- Try gentle flossing first
- Never use sharp objects like pins or needles
- Rinse with warm water
- See a dentist if you can't easily remove it
Don't Wait Until It's Too Late
Emergency dental services exist for a reason.
Dental problems can escalate from minor inconveniences to full-on oral health emergencies in no time flat.
What starts as a mild ache or an annoying bump in your gums can quickly turn into excruciating pain, a spreading infection that is dangerous to your entire body, or permanent tooth loss if you wait too long.
The bottom line?
When in doubt, make the call. In most cases, your emergency dentist will be able to quickly determine if your condition requires immediate treatment or if you can hold off until their next business day.
Your teeth, your health, and your wallet will all thank you for getting help when you need it most.
Wrapping Things Up
Being able to tell the difference between a serious dental problem that requires emergency treatment and a minor bump in the gums is the key to avoiding serious pain, health issues, and costly procedures later on.
The 5 signs you need emergency dental services now are:
- Severe, unrelenting pain
- Facial swelling that's getting worse
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Knocked-out or severely broken teeth
- Signs of serious infection
Don't play roulette with your oral health.
Emergency dental services are there when you need them most and getting treatment quickly usually means the difference between a simple fix and a complex, very expensive treatment.
Trust your gut. If something feels seriously wrong, it probably is.
