10 Issues That Constitute a Dental Emergency

A dental emergency should never be ignored. Too many things can go wrong when you delay care. That’s why we offer superior emergency dental care at SPA Dental Group, with offices in New York City and Washington, DC.

Here are our 10 issues that should prompt you to seek our emergency services:

1. Knocked-out tooth

If your tooth gets knocked out, try to locate the tooth and clean it without touching the roots. If possible, put the tooth back in its socket. If you’re not able to do that, put it in a damp paper towel or something that keeps it moist, like a glass of milk. Another option is to place it in your mouth between your cheek and gum. Then call us right away for further instructions. We can usually save your tooth if you can get to us within an hour of your incident.

2. Broken tooth

You might break a tooth by biting down on a hard piece of candy or a nut, or you might have a fall that causes your tooth to break. If that happens, do our best to preserve as many pieces of the tooth as possible. Clean your mouth by rinsing with warm water. Solutions for your broken tooth may be a root canal, filling, dental crown, or a dental implant.

3. Lost filling

When a filling falls out, it leaves a hole in your tooth that can become infected. Call our team immediately so we can address the missing filling. In the meantime, you can find temporary filling solutions at the pharmacy to keep it filled until we see you. We can typically place a new filling or possibly a crown.

4. Trauma to your face

If you experience chipped or cracked teeth from a blow to your face, you might be susceptible to nerve damage. Call us right away. To prevent issues in the future, be sure to wear the proper protective gear during contact sports or high-impact activities.

5. Severe toothache

A throbbing tooth usually means an underlying issue, such as a cavity, infection, or a cyst. Call us if your pain persists. Until you can reach our office, apply a cold compress to your area of pain to reduce swelling.

6. Bleeding gums

Some bleeding after flossing is common. But if you have a significant amount of blood, you could have gum disease, which can lead to serious issues like tooth loss. You may have a dental emergency if you notice blood on your toothbrush.

7. Unstable permanent teeth

A little bit of gentle wiggling of your teeth is normal, but if they seem to be at risk of falling out, you need to come in and see us as soon as possible. 

8. Abscess

An abscess is a sign of infection that calls for an emergency dental visit. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water, and call our team immediately. The salt water pulls the bacteria out of your abscess and can resolve discomfort until you get treatment. Don’t delay. You don’t want the bacteria from the infection to get into your bloodstream.

9. Swollen gums

Swollen gums could be a sign that you have a damaged tooth or an abscess. In addition, if you have swollen glands, significant pain, or trouble with swallowing, you need medical attention right away.

10. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammation

When you have inflammation of your TMJ, you can experience headaches, soreness in your jaw, and issues with your jaw function. The condition usually occurs when you grind your teeth. If you have facial pain from your TMJ disorder, see us as soon as possible.

If you have a dental emergency, don’t wait to reach out to our team. Call immediately. However, if you believe your dental condition can wait, you can always schedule an appointment online.