Dental Emergencies: When to Seek Immediate Care

Have you ever had a sudden dental concern? While it would be great if emergencies never happened, they can and do, often when we least expect them. Dental emergencies can occur at any time and have many potential causes.

At Dental Solutions of Encinitas, we know that dental issues can arise outside of a scheduled appointment or regular business hours. So, we offer emergency dentistry services to patients in the area. If you have a sudden dental problem, give our office a call. We will do everything we can to get you in or make recommendations on what to do next. 

If you have questions about what a dental emergency is, this guide reviews common situations that call for urgent dental care.

Common Types of Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency is basically any dental issue that requires urgent care from a dental professional. Of course, not all dental concerns are urgent. In some cases, you may still need attention but can wait a few days or a week.

It’s also difficult to categorize all types of dental emergencies, as every case is different. If you’re unsure if you require immediate assistance, it’s best to call our office for advice.

There are some common kinds of dental emergencies to be aware of, including:

Severe Toothaches and Tooth Pain 

Severe tooth pain shouldn’t be ignored. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers and apply a cold pack to the area while seeking dental care. 

A Large Crack in Your Tooth 

A significant crack can be painful and can occur because of dental trauma. You can rinse with warm water and use gauze to stop bleeding while on your way to the dentist.  

A Knocked-out Tooth 

Seeing a dentist within the hour is the best way to save a knocked-out tooth. If you can, try to gently place the tooth back in its socket, but don’t force it. If not, bring the tooth to the dentist in a small container of milk. 

Dental Abscesses  

An abscess is swelling or infection around the tooth roots. This condition can be serious and the infection can spread.  Rinse your mouth with salt water and seek immediate dental care. 

Severe Injury to Your Mouth’s Soft Tissue 

A large cut or injury to your gums, tongue, or lips requires prompt attention. If there is bleeding, hold gauze or a caffeinated tea bag to the bleeding for around 15 minutes. Then, hold a cold compress outside of your mouth for around 10 minutes. You may need to visit the emergency room if you are bleeding heavily.

Broken or Lost Dental Restoration and Appliances 

If you lose a filling, crown, or bridge, contact us right away. Remember to bring the restoration with you, but don’t try to put it back into place using a dental cement or denture adhesive. Don’t use super glue or any other type of adhesive. 

The above is not an exhaustive list. Other situations such as a dislodged tooth may also require emergency dentistry services. If you have severe bleeding or a broken bone, you may need prompt emergency services. Consider visitng the ER.