When Should You Go to the Emergency Dental Office?

Did you know that approximately 26% of adults aged 20-44 have dental cavities that they don’t know about? If you don’t take good care of your teeth and see your dentist regularly, you may end up having to visit an emergency dentist. 

Emergency dentists help you deal with dental issues that cannot wait until a regular appointment. Whether you hurt your tooth on accident or you let an issue go on for too long, an emergency dentist can help. 

Do you need emergency dentistry? Keep reading for 4 signs you need to visit an emergency dental office.

You Chipped a Tooth

Did you accidentally fall and chip a tooth? If so, it may be time to see an emergency dentist. If the chipped tooth isn’t bad, call your dentist to set up an appointment for the next day. Until then, avoid eating anything hard. 

If you have a large chip that is painful, start by stopping the bleeding. Once you have done that, apply a cold compress and call your emergency dental services. A tooth with a severe chip should be fixed right away to avoid pain and further damage. 

You Lost a Tooth

Unless you are a child or toddler, losing your tooth is a dental emergency. If you lost your tooth, wrap it in wet gauze and call your dentist immediately. Even if your tooth is just loose, still call your dentist for an emergency appointment. 

If you lose your tooth, the dentist may be able to put it back in your mouth. Your odds of keeping your tooth are higher if you can keep it moist. If the dentist cannot reinsert your tooth, they may insert a dental implant. 

Severe Toothache

While a normal toothache can wait until you can make a dentist appointment, a severe toothache should be seen right away. If your toothache isn’t getting any better when you take pain relievers, you should call the dentist. 

You also should see an emergency dentist if you experience swelling or bleeding along with severe pain.

You Have an Infected Tooth

Another sign that you need emergency dental care is if you have an infected tooth. An abscessed tooth happens when a pocket of pus forms around your tooth. This is caused by a build-up of bacteria around the tooth. 

Common symptoms of an infected tooth include pain, swelling, throbbing, and tooth sensitivity. As the infection gets worse, you may have a fever or swollen lymph nodes. 

You must treat an infected tooth as an emergency. If you don’t, the infection can spread to other parts of your body and cause serious complications. If you notice these signs of an infected tooth, visit the dentist right away.

Should You Go to an Emergency Dental Office?

Dental emergencies can happen at any time. That is why it is important to have a dentist that offers emergency services. You should visit an emergency dental office if you chip a tooth, lose a tooth, have a severe toothache, or get an infected tooth. 

Did you enjoy reading this article on when to get emergency oral care? If so, check out our other articles in the health category.