Emergency
Dental Emergency
Dental problems do not always happen at convenient times. A severe toothache may suddenly develop overnight, a tooth may fracture while eating, or an accident may knock a tooth out completely. Some situations require immediate treatment, while others can safely wait until the dental office opens. Understanding the difference can help you know when to seek immediate care and when an appointment can be scheduled without unnecessary concern.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is a problem involving the teeth, gums, jaw, or surrounding tissues that requires prompt evaluation to relieve significant pain, control bleeding, treat an infection, or prevent permanent damage. Not every dental problem is a true emergency. A lost filling, small chip, or mildly sensitive tooth may be uncomfortable and should still be evaluated. These conditions can be inconvenient but generally do not carry the same urgency as severe swelling, intense pain, uncontrolled bleeding, major trauma, or a knocked-out permanent tooth.
What Should I Do During a Dental Emergency?
The most important step is to determine whether the problem is a medical emergency or an urgent dental problem. For severe facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or serious facial trauma, seek emergency medical care. For severe tooth pain, a broken tooth, dental infection, knocked-out tooth, or other urgent dental problem, contact a dentist as soon as possible. Explain what happened, when the symptoms began, whether swelling is present, and the severity of the pain. This information can help determine how quickly you need to be evaluated. Avoid placing aspirin directly against a painful tooth or gum tissue. Do not attempt to drain an abscess, glue a fractured tooth together, or perform other home dental procedures.
What Should I Do During a Dental Emergency?
Whenever possible, dental problems should be treated by a dentist because the underlying cause usually requires dental procedures rather than medical treatment alone.
A dentist can evaluate the tooth, take appropriate X-rays, diagnose the source of the problem, and provide treatment directed at the cause. A hospital emergency department is more appropriate when the condition extends beyond a localized dental problem and poses an immediate threat to your general health, particularly breathing difficulty, swallowing difficulty, uncontrolled bleeding, rapidly spreading swelling, or serious facial injuri
When to Go to the Emergency Room
Go to the nearest emergency department or call 911 when a dental problem is accompanied by difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, severe facial trauma, or rapidly progressing swelling that could threaten the airway. Once the immediate medical concern has been stabilized, dental treatment may still be necessary to correct the underlying problem.
When to Go to Your Dentist
It may sound surprising, but hospital emergency departments are generally not equipped to provide definitive treatment for most dental problems. If your condition is not life-threatening, it is usually best to contact your dentist first for evaluation and guidance. Your dentist can diagnose the underlying problem and provide the appropriate dental treatment.
Types of Dental Emergencies
Some dental conditions require immediate attention, while others still need attention but can wait until the next business day. Also, not all emergencies can be treated at the dental office; some require an immediate visit to an oral surgeon or a local hospital emergency room.
True Dental Emergency
These are conditions that require prompt attention. Not all emergencies can be treated at the dental office. Some require a referral to a hospital emergency room, such as rapidly increasing swelling associated with difficulty breathing, a jaw fracture, or significant uncontrolled bleeding. Common true emergencies include:
Non-critical Dental Emergency
Many of the conditions commonly referred to as “dental emergencies” are not life-threatening but may still deserve prompt dental treatment. They may be inconvenient but certainly not critical. These may include:
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Severe Toothache
A severe toothache is one of the most common reasons patients seek emergency dental treatment. Pain may result from deep decay, inflammation of the nerve inside the tooth, a cracked tooth, infection, gum disease, or another dental condition. The pain may be constant, throbbing, spontaneous, or triggered by chewing, temperature, or pressure.
Pain medication may temporarily reduce symptoms, but it does not correct the underlying dental problem. A dental examination and often an X-ray are necessary to determine the cause. Typically, a severe toothache requires either an extraction or a root canal.
Dental Abscess or Infection
A dental abscess develops when an infection occurs within or around a tooth. Symptoms may include persistent toothache, pain when chewing, swollen gums, a pimple-like area on the gum, bad taste, or swelling of the face or jaw. Dental infections should not simply be ignored because the pain temporarily improves. Treatment may involve root canal therapy, drainage, periodontal treatment, extraction, or another procedure depending on the source of the infection. Increasing facial swelling, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, or other signs that an infection is spreading require immediate medical attention.
Broken Tooth
Teeth can fracture from accidents, biting hard foods, large existing restorations, tooth decay, grinding, or normal chewing forces acting on an already weakened tooth. A small enamel chip may not require emergency care. A larger and deeper fracture, however, may expose the inner layers of the tooth and cause significant sensitivity or pain. Severe fractures can involve the nerve or extend beneath the gumline. Treatment depends on how much tooth structure has been damaged and may range from bonding or a crown to root canal treatment or extraction.
Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth does not always look broken from the outside. Some cracks are extremely small but can cause sharp pain when biting or when pressure is released, as well as significant temperature sensitivity. Cracks cannot heal themselves, and they may gradually extend deeper into the tooth. Early evaluation can sometimes allow the tooth to be restored before the fracture progresses.
Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
A completely knocked-out permanent tooth is one of the most time-sensitive dental emergencies. This cannot be treated at your local hospital emergency room. Until you reach your dentist, handle the tooth only by the crown and not by the root. If it is dirty, gently rinse it without scrubbing. If possible, the tooth may be carefully repositioned in its socket. Otherwise, it should be kept moist in an appropriate tooth-preservation medium, milk, or inside the mouth against your cheek while immediately seeking dental care. A knocked-out baby tooth should never be reinserted because doing so may damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. The baby tooth can be discarded.
A knocked-out permanent tooth should be replanted and stabilized with a splint as quickly as possible. The best prognosis occurs when the tooth is replanted within approximately 15–20 minutes. However, there is no specific time after which a knocked-out tooth can no longer be replanted or splinted. The amount of time the tooth remains dry outside the mouth is particularly important. If the tooth has been out for less than 60 minutes, especially when it has been properly stored in milk or an appropriate tooth-preservation solution, some periodontal ligament cells may remain viable. Replantation and splinting should be performed as soon as possible.
Even when a permanent tooth has been dry for more than 60 minutes, it may still be replanted and splinted, although the long-term prognosis is significantly reduced. Patients should therefore bring the tooth with them and seek emergency dental treatment immediately, regardless of how much time has passed.
Dislodged or Loosened Tooth
An accident may push a tooth inward, outward, sideways, or partially out of its socket without completely knocking it out. Even if the tooth appears intact, damage may have occurred to the tooth, supporting bone, periodontal ligament, blood supply or nerve. Traumatic dental injuries should be examined promptly because treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury. Typically, the tooth is splinted to adjacent teeth until it can heal and stabilize over the next 2-3 weeks.
Lost or Broken Crown & Bridge
A dental crown or bridge can occasionally become loose when the cement fails, the tooth fractures, or a post becomes loose. Sometimes the entire crown or bridge may come off completely. It is normal for the underlying tooth to be sensitive. Keep the crown if it comes out and bring it with you to your appointment. Depending on its condition and the condition of the tooth underneath, it may sometimes be possible to recement it, or a new restoration may be required. Do not use household glue to reattach a loose crown! You can use denture adhesive to keep it in place.
Swelling of the Gums or Face
Swelling can develop from a dental abscess, periodontal infection, impacted tooth, or other oral condition. Localized gum swelling should be evaluated by a dentist. Facial swelling, particularly when it is rapidly increasing or accompanied by difficulty breathing or swallowing, is considerably more serious and may require immediate medical attention. A dentist may prescribe antibiotics, but keep in mind that they may take about two days to start making a difference. That is a rather long time for rapidly increasing swelling. You may need immediate IV antibiotics, which go to work right away. For that, you need to go to a local hospital emergency room.
Bleeding From the Mouth
Minor bleeding from irritated gums is generally not a dental emergency. However, persistent bleeding after a dental extraction treatment that cannot be controlled with firm pressure requires prompt attention. Severe uncontrolled bleeding is considered a true emergency. Your provider who removed the tooth should be your first point of contact. Depending on your specific case, you may either be seen at the dental office or referred to the emergency room.
Broken Denture or Dental Appliance
A broken denture, partial denture, nightguard, or other removable appliance is not considered an emergency. Avoid attempting major repairs with household adhesives, since this can damage the appliance and make professional repair more difficult. Contact your dentist the next business day.
Don’t Ignore Dental Pain
Dental pain is your body’s way of indicating that something may be wrong. Symptoms can occasionally disappear temporarily even though the underlying problem remains. Early evaluation may allow treatment to be simpler and may improve the possibility of preserving the natural tooth. If you are experiencing significant dental pain, swelling, trauma, a broken tooth, or another urgent dental problem, contact our office so that we can determine the appropriate next step.
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Can I be seen immediately?
We make every effort to accommodate patients with urgent dental problems as quickly as possible. Some emergencies can be treated in a short period of time, while others may require an hour or more. To accommodate an emergency, we may need to adjust our existing schedule or contact other patients who are willing to reschedule their appointments. For this reason, we cannot guarantee a specific appointment time based on your preferred schedule. We will do our best to see you as soon as we can provide the appropriate amount of time and attention needed to properly evaluate and treat your dental emergency.
What should I do if I have a severe toothache?
A severe toothache should be evaluated by a dentist as soon as possible. Tooth pain may be caused by decay, infection, inflammation of the tooth’s nerve, or a cracked tooth, and the underlying problem usually will not resolve on its own.
What should I do if my face is swollen from a tooth infection?
Facial swelling from a dental infection requires prompt attention. Contact a dentist immediately. If the swelling is rapidly increasing or you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, seek emergency medical care.
What should I do if my permanent tooth is knocked out?
Handle the tooth by the crown rather than the root and seek emergency dental care immediately. If possible, gently reinsert the tooth into its socket; otherwise, keep it moist in milk or an appropriate tooth-preservation solution.
How long can a knocked-out tooth be out before it cannot be saved?
There is no absolute cutoff, but the chances of saving a knocked-out tooth decrease significantly with time, particularly if the tooth remains dry. Immediate replantation provides the best prognosis, so seek dental treatment as quickly as possible.
Is a dental abscess an emergency?
A dental abscess requires prompt dental treatment because the infection generally will not resolve without addressing its source. Significant facial swelling, fever, or difficulty breathing or swallowing requires more immediate attention.
Can a tooth infection become dangerous?
Yes. An untreated dental infection can spread into the surrounding tissues and, in severe cases, become a serious medical problem. Increasing facial swelling, fever, or difficulty breathing or swallowing should never be ignored.
What should I do if my dental crown falls off?
Keep the crown and contact your dentist for an appointment. Avoid chewing on the affected tooth, and do not use household glue to put the crown back in place. You can use denture adhesive to keep it in place.
Is a loose permanent tooth an emergency?
A permanent tooth that suddenly becomes loose, particularly following an injury, should be evaluated promptly. Early treatment may improve the possibility of stabilizing and preserving the tooth.
What can I take for dental pain until I see a dentist?
Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may temporarily relieve dental pain when they are safe for you to take. Follow the medication label and remember that pain medication does not treat the underlying dental problem.
Why does my toothache hurt more at night?
Toothaches can feel worse at night because lying down may slightly increase blood flow and pressure around an inflamed tooth, making the discomfort more noticeable. Persistent, severe, or throbbing nighttime tooth pain may indicate significant inflammation of the tooth’s nerve and is often a sign that root canal treatment may be necessary.
Can antibiotics cure a dental infection without dental treatment?
Usually not. Antibiotics may sometimes be necessary when a dental infection is spreading, but they generally only control the infection temporarily and do not eliminate the source of the problem. Definitive dental treatment is usually necessary to prevent the infection from returning.
Can I wait until tomorrow to see a dentist for a toothache?
Mild discomfort may sometimes wait until the next available appointment, but severe or worsening pain should be evaluated. Facial swelling, fever, uncontrolled bleeding, or difficulty breathing or swallowing requires more urgent attention.
Do I need an appointment for emergency dental care?
Calling before arriving is recommended whenever possible. This allows the dental office to evaluate the urgency of your problem and determine how quickly you should be seen.
Back To TopExternal Patient Education Resource
For additional information about dental emergencies and oral health, visit the American Dental Association resource.
American Dental Association – Dental Emergencies & Dental Care
Why Choose Dr. Ghodsi?
Dr. Shayan Ghodsi offers his patients expert, up-to-date knowledge and years of experience in the dental field, paying close attention to every detail of your individualized dental treatment. As the owner of Lakeview Dental, Dr. Ghodsi is proud to lead a privately owned practice where patient care always comes first, without the influence of corporate dentistry. His warm smile and gentle nature help make every dental visit a relaxing and comfortable experience.
Dr. Ghodsi received his bachelor’s degree from Pace University in New York and earned his DMD at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2001. In addition, he has earned many continuing education credits in his fields of interest.
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Dr. Shayan Ghodsi DMD
Royal Palm Beach Cosmetic Dentist
“Felt very comfortable, everyone was very pleasant and professional. The dentist was very approachable and honest. Did not push unnecessary procedures. I’m very grateful for his kindness and professionalism. I highly recommend him and his staff. Thank you so much.”
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