It’s something that no one wants to think about, but that can happen at any time. You wake up at 2 a.m. with a sharp pain in your tooth. Your child just knocked out a front tooth on the playground. You crash your bike, and your gums won’t stop bleeding. These situations bring one question to mind: Do I need to see a dentist right now?
Here are several scenarios that constitute a true dental emergency:
- A severe toothache that doesn’t go away and won’t respond to pain medication
- A knocked-out or broken tooth
- Uncontrolled bleeding in the mouth
- An abscess or infection with swelling
- Trauma to the teeth, jaw, or facial bones
Not every dental problem qualifies as a true emergency. But here is the most important advice: If you aren’t sure, give your dentist a call! You don’t need to self-diagnose. There are times, in the middle of the night or on weekends, when it is harder to get in touch with your dentist. So it can be helpful to understand the difference between issues that require immediate attention and those that can wait for a weekday morning.
At Dentistry of Fishers, Dr. Jones and Dr. Harrison provide same-day emergency care to patients from across Fishers, Noblesville, Carmel, and the surrounding communities.
What is a Dental Emergency?
You can think of a dental emergency as a situation in which you need immediate treatment to save a tooth, stop ongoing tissue bleeding that won’t stop, or relieve severe pain that’s disrupting your life. In these situations, time matters. The faster you are able to get professional care, the better your chances of saving your tooth or avoiding complications.
You might even consider dental emergencies as similar to medical emergencies. Cutting your finger on a piece of paper doesn’t send you rushing to the ER. A deep wound that won’t stop bleeding after ten minutes of compression will absolutely have you on your way to the hospital.
Common Signs and Symptoms to Watch For
If you are experiencing severe, persistent pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain medication, you should definitely give your emergency dentist in Fishers, IN, a call. If your face, jaw, or gums are swelling, you might have an infection, which can be very serious if left untreated.
Bleeding that continues after several minutes, even after you’ve applied pressure, most likely needs professional care. Fever and dental pain at the same time are often indicative of an infection. For adults, loose teeth should cause you to call your emergency dentist. Difficulty swallowing or trauma to the face or jaw means you should call your emergency dentist or go to the emergency room.
Top Dental Emergencies You Shouldn’t Ignore
Certain dental problems demand immediate care. Delaying treatment for these emergencies can lead to tooth loss, serious infection, or complications.
Severe Toothache
This is more than mild tooth pain. If you are kept awake at night or unable to focus during the day due to severe, throbbing pain, you might have tooth decay, a cracked tooth, or an infection. Initially, the pain might come and go, but usually this kind of pain worsens over time.
Knocked-Out or Broken Tooth
If you have a tooth that’s been completely knocked out, this is a time-sensitive emergency! Your emergency dentist in Fishers, IN, might be able to save your tooth if you get to the dentist immediately. Handle the tooth by the crown (the part you see when you smile) without touching the root. Rinse it gently with water if it’s dirty, but don’t scrub it. You can try to place the tooth back in the socket, but if that doesn’t work, store it in milk. If your tooth is broken or fractured, you should call your emergency dentist as soon as possible.
Abscess or Infection
An abscess can form when bacteria get into the spaces around your tooth root or between your teeth and gums. The abscess is the result of a pocket of pus and is likely to cause severe pain, swelling, and/or a fever. You might see a pimple-like bump on your gums or notice a foul taste in your mouth.
A dental abscess won’t resolve without professional treatment. The infection will likely continue spreading and may even get into your bloodstream. These infections require drainage and antibiotics.
Uncontrolled Bleeding or Trauma
If you’ve injured your mouth, teeth, or jaw from an accident, fall, or sports incident, you should see an emergency dentist. Heavy bleeding that doesn’t slow down after ten minutes of gentle pressure definitely counts as an emergency.
Trauma from an accident can cause damage that isn’t immediately visible. A tooth may look fine on the outside, but have a small crack that takes a professional evaluation to spot.
What’s Not an Emergency, But Still Requires Dental Care?
Not every dental issue means that you need to call your dentist right away and rush to the office. A small chip in your tooth that doesn’t hurt can usually wait. Mild sensitivity to hot or cold is generally not an emergency. A lost filling or crown that isn’t causing severe pain can likely wait a day or two.
Always call your dentist’s office and explain your symptoms if you aren’t sure. The team at Dentistry of Fishers can help you determine whether you are experiencing a dental emergency or if you can wait for a regular appointment.
Get Same-Day Emergency Care at Dentistry of Fishers
Every hour counts when you’re dealing with a dental emergency. Quick treatment can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Knocked-out teeth are most likely to be saved when they’re reimplanted within the first hour. Infections can spread rapidly and reach your bloodstream if left untreated. Bacteria from infections can impact your heart, lungs, and other organs. Immediate treatment also prevents complications that require more extensive procedures later on.
If you’ve broken a tooth or developed sudden, severe pain, Dentistry of Fishers is ready to help with same-day emergency care when you need it most. Contact us immediately at (317) 773-1618 if you’re experiencing a dental emergency.