Dental emergencies tend to happen at the most unexpected times of the day and night. At Exceptional Dentistry, we are available for your emergency dental care needs. While preventive care, such as good oral hygiene and visiting the dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings, are the best ways to reduce your risk of needing emergency care, accidents still happen. Whether you break a tooth in an accident or experience a toothache over the weekend, we are here to help.
When should I call an emergency dentist?
It can be challenging to know when you need an emergency dentist or if your dental problem can wait until the earliest available appointment.
However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, please call Exceptional Dentistry immediately to be seen.
- A broken tooth
- Swelling of the face or neck
- Pus draining from your gums
- A severe toothache that will not go away
- Tooth pain that prevents you from eating
- A filling, crown, or other restoration has broken off or fallen out of your tooth
I broke my tooth, but it doesn’t hurt. Should I still see an emergency dentist?
We recommend seeing an emergency dentist as soon as possible if you have broken a tooth, even if it doesn’t hurt. The tooth could have jagged edges that cause sores or minor abrasions on your tongue, cheek, or lips.
- Plus, if the tooth is broken, the sensitive underlayer of the tooth, known as the dentin, is exposed and is subject to additional damage if not treated properly.
- But if the tooth is loose, see the dentist immediately because your tooth could be at risk of falling out, and certain treatments may help save your tooth from needing an extraction.
My tooth got knocked out. Should I bother seeing the dentist?
Yes, even if your tooth got knocked out of the socket, you should still see the dentist. It may not be a lost cause yet! As soon as your tooth is knocked out, place it in a cup or sealed baggie with milk or your own saliva to keep it moist. Bring it with you to your appointment to see if the dentist can save your tooth with a root canal and by reattaching the soft tissues surrounding the tooth. If you do not have a way to preserve your tooth, gently place it back into its socket, but please avoid eating so that you do not accidentally swallow your tooth.
My tooth hurts so bad. Should I go to the ER instead?
Emergency rooms and hospitals are not equipped to treat dental issues or fix bad teeth.
However, if your tooth is infected, the ER doctor may prescribe antibiotics to settle the infection so that you can seek treatment at your dentist’s office sooner. If this is the case for you, be sure to follow up with your dentist as soon as possible. Although antibiotics may help ease your pain by reducing the infection, it does not mean that the problem is solved. The pain and infection will return if you do not seek treatment at the dentist.
