Dental Emergencies: What you need to know when the time comes

Knowing when to seek emergency dental care is just as important as knowing where to go. These are a few common scenarios to help you decide if you need urgent care. If you have a severe toothache that doesn’t go away with over-the-counter pain medication, it’s time to see an emergency dentist. Pain that doesn’t go away, or keeps you up at night can indicate a serious issue such as an abscess or infection, both of which require prompt treatment to prevent further complications. Similarly, if you notice swelling in your gums or face, it could be a sign of an infection that needs immediate attention. A knocked-out tooth is another situation where time is of the essence. If you or someone else loses a tooth, try to retrieve it, handle it by the crown (the part that’s visible in the mouth), and rinse it with water. If possible, place the tooth back in the socket and hold it there while you seek emergency dental care. If reinsertion isn’t feasible, keep the tooth moist by placing it in a container of milk or a tooth preservation product, which you can find in most drugstores. Acting quickly increases the chances of saving the tooth. It needs to be put back in the socket in under an hour to be viable. Broken or chipped teeth also warrant a visit to an emergency dentist, especially if the break is severe or causes sharp edges that can cut your mouth. Minor chips might not be urgent, but significant damage should be assessed by a professional to prevent further injury or infection.