A sudden, sharp pain in your tooth or a sports injury that leaves you with a chipped tooth can be alarming. While some dental issues can wait for a scheduled appointment, others require immediate attention. Knowing the difference between a minor problem and a true dental emergency can save your tooth, prevent serious complications, and relieve pain quickly.
This guide will walk you through the key signs that you need emergency dental care. We will cover the most common dental emergencies, explain the risks of delaying treatment, and provide practical steps you can take before visiting our office.
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any issue that involves uncontrollable bleeding, severe pain, or a threat to your overall health. If you are experiencing intense pain or have suffered trauma to your mouth, it’s crucial to seek professional help right away. Ignoring these signs can lead to more severe problems, including infection, tooth loss, and the need for more extensive treatments in the future.
Let’s explore the specific situations that demand a visit to an emergency dentist.
1. A Severe and Persistent Toothache
A toothache is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. While a mild, fleeting sensitivity might not be an emergency, a severe, throbbing, or persistent toothache is a clear signal that you need immediate care.
What it could mean:
A severe toothache is often a symptom of a deeper issue, such as:
- A deep cavity that has reached the tooth’s nerve.
- A dental abscess (a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection).
- An impacted tooth (a tooth that is stuck in the jaw and can’t erupt).
- Damage to a filling or crown.
Why it’s an emergency:
An intense toothache, especially one accompanied by swelling, fever, or a bad taste in your mouth, could indicate a severe infection. If an abscess is left untreated, the disease can spread to your jaw, surrounding tissues, and even other parts of your body, posing a significant health risk.
What to do:
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to help clean the area and reduce swelling.
- Gently floss around the painful tooth to dislodge any trapped food particles.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to help manage pain and swelling.
- Avoid placing aspirin or any other painkiller directly on the gums, as this can burn the tissue.
- Call us immediately to schedule an emergency appointment.
2. A Knocked-Out Tooth
Whether from a fall, a sports injury, or another accident, a knocked-out (avulsed) tooth is one of the most time-sensitive dental emergencies. With quick action, the tooth can be successfully reimplanted. The best chance for saving the tooth is to see a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes of the injury.
Why it’s an emergency:
The ligaments and tissues that hold a tooth in its socket can begin to die shortly after it’s knocked out. The longer you wait, the lower the chances of successfully reattaching the tooth.
What to do:
- Find the tooth: Pick it up by the crown (the chewing surface), not the root. Touching the root can damage the delicate cells needed for reattachment.
- Clean the tooth: If it’s dirty, gently rinse it with milk or your own saliva for a few seconds. Do not use soap, scrub it, or wrap it in a tissue.
- Try to reinsert it: If possible, gently place the tooth back into its socket. Hold it in place by biting down on a clean cloth or gauze.
- Keep it moist: If you cannot reinsert it, place the tooth in a small container of milk or your own saliva. You can also hold it between your cheek and gum. Do not use water, as it can damage the root cells.
- Contact Corbin Dental immediately: Time is critical. Let our team know you are on your way with a knocked-out tooth.
3. A Broken, Chipped, or Cracked Tooth
A minor chip might seem like a cosmetic issue, but a significant break or crack can expose the inner layers of your tooth, making it vulnerable to infection and further damage. Pain, sensitivity to temperature, or discomfort when chewing are signs that the damage extends beyond the superficial level.
Why it’s an emergency:
A crack can allow bacteria to enter the sensitive pulp of the tooth, leading to infection and potentially necessitating a root canal. A large fracture can compromise the entire tooth structure, potentially leading to its loss if not treated promptly.
What to do:
- Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area.
- If there is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a piece of gauze.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth to reduce swelling.
- If you have the broken piece of the tooth, bring it with you to the appointment.
- Call us to assess the severity and determine the next steps.
4. A Lost Filling or Crown
Fillings and crowns are designed to protect teeth that have been weakened by decay or damage. When one falls out, it leaves the vulnerable part of your tooth exposed. This can cause significant pain and sensitivity because the underlying dentin or even the tooth’s nerve may be unprotected.
Why it’s an emergency:
Without its protective covering, the tooth is susceptible to new decay, structural damage, and infection. Delaying treatment can lead to the need for more complex procedures, such as a root canal or even extraction, if the tooth becomes too severely damaged to save.
What to do:
- If you have the crown, you can try to temporarily reattach it to the tooth using dental cement or toothpaste (as a last resort). Do not use super glue.
- Avoid chewing on the affected tooth to prevent further damage.
- Keep the area clean by rinsing gently.
- Contact us right away. We need to recement the crown or place a new restoration to protect your tooth.
5. Signs of a Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around the root of a tooth or in the gums due to a bacterial infection. It is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Key signs of an abscess include:
- Severe, persistent, throbbing pain that can radiate to your jaw, neck, or ear.
- A pimple-like bump or swelling on your gums.
- Fever and general feeling of being unwell.
- Swelling in your face or cheek.
- A foul taste or smell in your mouth.
Why it’s an emergency:
An untreated abscess can cause the infection to spread to your jawbone, nearby tissues, and even into your bloodstream, leading to a systemic infection known as sepsis. If you have swelling that makes it difficult to breathe or swallow, go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately.
What to do:
- Rinse your mouth with a mild saltwater solution several times a day.
- Do not attempt to pop or drain the abscess yourself.
- Please call our office immediately to schedule an emergency appointment. An abscess will not go away on its own.
Don’t Wait—Protect Your Smile
Dental emergencies can be stressful, but knowing what to do can make all the difference. At Corbin Dental, we are equipped to handle a wide range of dental emergencies with compassionate and effective care. If you are experiencing any of the signs discussed above, don’t hesitate to contact us. Acting quickly is the best way to relieve pain, prevent further complications, and save your smile.
Schedule Your Consultation
To book a consultation for any of your dental questions, contact the offices of Corbin Dental at our Bayside office at 516-604-5074 or our Oyster Bay office at 516-613-3084, or use our simple online form.