What To Know About Dental Emergencies and When To Seek Help

Oct 7, 20244 min read

The uncertainty of dental emergencies can be a source of stress and anxiety for many people, but knowing how to handle these sudden situations can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth or preventing further complications.

Common Types of Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies come in various forms, each requiring a specific approach to care. Understanding the common types of dental emergencies can help you recognize when to seek immediate dental assistance.

Toothache

Toothaches can range from mild discomfort to excruciating pain. This dental emergency is often a symptom of an underlying dental problem, such as tooth decay, abscesses, or gum disease.

A throbbing sensation, sensitivity to hot or cold, swelling around the tooth, and sharp, stabbing pain when biting or chewing are common characteristics of a toothache. If you have a persistent toothache, contact an emergency dentist immediately.

If you are swollen, this is a true dental emergency and you should be seen either by a dentist or urgent care, you may need antibitoics.

Chipped Teeth

Chipping a tooth can happen during everyday activities, such as biting into something hard or due to an accident or fall. While minor chips may not cause immediate pain, they can lead to sharp edges that irritate the tongue or cheeks or even expose the tooth’s inner layers, leading to sensitivity. If the inner part of the tooth is exposed, hot, cold or touching the tooth could cause some pain. If the nerve is exposed, you should see a dentist as soon as possible.

A visibly broken or chipped tooth, pain when chewing, or sensitivity to temperature changes are common indicators of a chipped tooth. Most often the biggest issue is a tooth being sharp to the tongue or cheek. This can easily be smoothed by a dentist, but the repair could involve more and need to be postponed until there is room in the schedule.

Knocked-Out Teeth

A knocked-out tooth is one of the most severe dental emergencies and requires immediate action to increase the chances of saving the tooth. This dentist emergency often occurs during sports, falls, or other accidents.

If your tooth gets knocked out, pick it up by the crown. Do not scrub or remove any attached tissue. Call your dentist’s on call line or go to OSU Children’s or OSU ER, they both have an emergency dental resident on call that can address these issues. If clean, you can try to place the tooth back into the socket and hold it in place until you can see a dentist. If this isn’t possible, store the tooth in milk or a saline solution and get to the dentist within 30 minutes for reimplantation.

What To Do During a Dental Emergency

Knowing what to do during a dental emergency can minimize damage and reduce pain until you can see a dental emergency dentist. Here are some general steps to follow:

Stay Calm: Dental emergencies can be alarming, but staying calm will help you think clearly and take appropriate action.
Stop Any Bleeding: Use a clean cloth or gauze and apply gentle pressure to the affected area to control bleeding.
Reduce Swelling: Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Save Any Pieces: If your tooth is chipped or knocked out, carefully collect any fragments and store them in a safe place, such as a clean container with milk or saline solution.
Avoid Eating or Drinking: Until you’ve seen a dentist, avoid eating, drinking, or putting pressure on the affected area, especially if a tooth is loose or the gum is swollen.

The sooner you see a dental emergency dentist, the better your chances of saving your teeth. If your dentist is not available, go to OSU Children’s or OSU ER, they both have dental residents on call that can help with dental emergencies.

The Importance of Seeking Immediate Help

Delaying treatment for a dental emergency can lead to severe complications, including infection, prolonged pain, and permanent damage to your teeth and gums. Immediate professional care can prevent these outcomes and increase the likelihood of a full recovery.

For example, untreated toothaches can lead to abscesses, a potentially life-threatening infection that can spread to other body parts. Similarly, a knocked-out tooth that is not promptly reimplanted can lead to extensive restorative work, such as dental implants or bridges, to replace the missing tooth.

Emergency dental care is designed to address the urgent needs of patients, providing quick relief and restoring function and appearance as much as possible.

Visit Us for Emergency Dental Services

At Stauffer Family Dental, we understand that dental emergencies can be stressful and overwhelming. Our team is here to provide prompt, compassionate emergency dental care when you need it most.

Whether you’re dealing with a severe toothache, a chipped or broken tooth, or a knocked-out tooth, our comprehensive emergency dental services can save your smile and protect your oral health.

Call us now at 614-882-2249, if you need immediate dental help.

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