Experiencing a dental emergency is a situation we all hope we never have to face. But what type of situation requires a call to your dentist for immediate attention? People who tend to be cautious may consider a non-throbbing toothache an emergency, while stoical types might think they can tough out a cracked tooth until their dentist can fit them in during the week. Unless a tooth is knocked loose — or out completely — or the condition causes intense, ongoing tooth or jaw pain, determining what constitutes a dental emergency can be somewhat fuzzy.
Knowing the situations in which calling your dentist a.s.a.p. — or your dentist’s after-hours emergency number — will help you get the necessary help when time is of the essence. Moreover, knowing the conditions that need treatment but won’t be detrimental to your tooth and/or overall health if you schedule a priority appointment with your dentist will save you from going into panic mode.
What Situations Qualify as a Dental Emergency?
Although some situations are obviously emergencies, others may be not as obvious if you’ve never experienced them before. Even so, take them seriously and seek treatment immediately!
A knocked-out (avulsed) tooth — Typically the result of a sports injury or other traumatic event, there can actually be a good chance of having the tooth successfully reimplanted if the circumstances are right, the tooth has been properly handled and you reach the dentist in time. Our blog post — “So You Lost a Tooth! How to Handle Accidental Tooth Loss” — covers this topic in greater detail. For those who participate in contact sports, we strongly recommend using a mouthguard to prevent this type of injury.
To increase the probability of reimplantation, take the following actions immediately after the tooth is knocked out:
- Don’t touch the root, only the crown.
- Try to place it back in the socket, if possible.
- Or place it between your cheek and gum or a container of milk.
- Use a cold, wet compress for bleeding.
- Call the dentist on the way to his/her office if the injury occurs during office hours. This will give your dentist time to prepare so you can be treated without delay when you arrive.
A loosened tooth — An injury that loosens a tooth in its socket requires immediate attention. Because the tooth is still in your jaw, the probability of saving it is better than a knocked-out tooth. Your dentist can use a splint to attach the loose tooth to the surrounding teeth, giving it stability and support while it heals.
A severely broken or cracked tooth — As with the previous two examples, a damaged tooth is typically the result of trauma, although not necessarily due to injury. Biting down on ice, hard candy and shelled nuts can cause serious damage — as can using your teeth as a tool (such as a bottle opener). Teeth grinding (bruxism) can be another cause. A tooth cracked down to the gumline is an emergency, as is any tooth injury that causes severe, ongoing pain.
An infected oral abscess — A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus from a bacterial infection. Abscesses can occur in different places around a tooth for different reasons and affect not only the involved tooth, but also the surrounding bone and sometimes adjacent teeth. This needs to be treated as soon as possible, as you could develop sepsis — a life-threatening infection that spreads throughout the body. Those with a weakened immune system are at even greater risk. Our blog post — “What Causes a Tooth Abscess?” — covers this topic in greater detail.
Severe dental pain — In addition to a tooth abscess, pain that is intense and ongoing can be a symptom of untreated periodontal (gum) disease or tooth decay that has reached the pulp and become infected (irreversible pulpitis). Once the condition has reached this stage, immediate treatment is necessary.
What Conditions are Urgent, but Can Wait for Treatment During Regular Business Hours?
Some dental conditions require treatment sooner than later, but can be resolved by scheduling an appointment during your dentist’s regular hours. However, don’t become complacent and ignore it, as waiting too long could result in the condition becoming an emergency!
As our blog post — “How Can You Tell If It’s a Dental Emergency?” — notes, only your dentist can make the determination whether a situation is a true emergency when it isn’t as extreme as a knocked-out tooth, a tooth cracked down to the gumline or an abscessed tooth. When you call your dentist’s office and explain your circumstances, your dentist should be able to advise you on whether you need to be seen that day, or schedule an appointment for a later date. Situations that may be considered urgent but not an emergency include the following:
- Lost filling that does not involve the risk of infection.
- Minor toothache.
- Minor tooth chip that does not go deep into the crown and does not cause bleeding.
- Cracked dental crown – unless the crown has sharp, jagged edges that could cut your tongue or cheek.
What to Do Until You Get to the Dentist
Even in the event of a dental emergency, you may not be able to be seen immediately —especially if you have to go to an after-hours emergency clinic. Here are ways to help alleviate pain and discomfort until you’re able to get treatment.
Cracked or broken tooth:
- Rinse the tooth fragment and the mouth with lukewarm water.
- Apply gauze to the area for 10 minutes if there is bleeding.
- Place a cold, damp face towel on the cheek to minimize swelling and pain.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Dislodged or loose tooth:
- Apply a cold compress.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
The Take-Home Message
Some dental emergencies are unavoidable, such as those resulting from trauma. If you participate in contact sports, wearing a mouthguard can prevent injuries resulting in tooth loss. Moreover, avoid biting down on ice cubes and hard foods — as well as using your teeth instead of bottle openers and scissors — to prevent cracked and broken teeth. Other types of emergencies can be prevented by regularly practicing good oral hygiene and scheduling twice-yearly examinations and cleanings with your dentist, who will find early indications of dental decay, periodontal disease or other conditions so they can be treated in a timely manner.
At NK Family Dental, it is our mission to provide the highest quality and most compassionate oral care to our Chicago patients, including both dental and periodontal services. Our practice is trusted for advanced oral surgery procedures and comfortable root canal treatment.
Our team of experienced, dedicated dental professionals will help address your oral health concerns, and determine the best solution for you based on your individual situation. We strive to identify treatment options that fit your needs.
Our dental specialists include our general dentist, Dr. Nilofer Khan, our endodontist, Dr. Sabek, and our periodontist, Dr. Amir Danesh. Dr. Danesh is a board-certified periodontist and Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology. He has contributed to the publication of two books, as well as published over 20 papers in prestigious dental research journals.
We serve the neighborhoods of Logan Square, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, and Wicker Park with the dedication that’s earned us the reputation as the Best Dentist in Chicago!
We understand that the main concern you may have is cost, which is why we accept all major PPO plans for dental insurance and also offer our in-house dental plan. Please see our financing page for more information.
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