What Should I Do if I Have a Dental Emergency?

Your crown fell out when you were eating. Or maybe you chipped your tooth while working out, and now you’re in serious discomfort or even pain. Dental emergencies like these can strike by day or night. Don’t suffer in silence or try to wait out the pain. It’s important to seek treatment before your problems get any worse. But how? You may wonder, “What should I do if I have a dental emergency?”

Additionally, you may feel uncertain if what you’re dealing with even counts as an emergency. If so, read on to learn what a dental emergency means. We’ll also tell you short-term and long-term solutions for how you can treat it.

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference between an emergency and run-of-the-mill dental problems. Is that ache, cavity, or sore something that requires immediate treatment? Well, does it cause serious pain, bleeding, or swelling that won’t go away? If so, we recommend you seek professional care as soon as you can.

If you’re still asking yourself, “How can I tell if I have a dental emergency?” then be on the lookout for the following symptoms or problems:

• A broken or chipped tooth
• A missing crown or filling
• Swelling or infection in the gums
• A knocked-out tooth

If you’re dealing with one or more of the above symptoms, you may want to seek treatment as soon as you can. Some, like a knocked-out tooth, are extremely time-sensitive. And swollen gums can be a sign of infection in the gum tissue or the tooth’s root. The good news is many problems have easy solutions if you treat them right away. Your dentist will be able to examine you and figure out the exact cause and offer the proper remedy.

What If I Have a Dental Emergency at Night or on the Weekend?

You have no control over when your emergency happens. Pain can strike at any time of the night or day. If you have dental pain during these off-hours, don’t think you need to wait until normal business hours resume before you can find relief. When it comes to emergencies, the sooner you seek treatment, the better. That’s why we’ll do our best to get you scheduled as soon as possible. Additionally, if you have serious dental pain, consider some immediate options until you can see a dentist, such as:

• Take Tylenol to decrease the pain
• Apply an ice pack or cold compress to reduce any swelling
• Use an over-the-counter pain relief gel (available at any drugstore)
• Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to provide temporary relief to swelling or pain

While these suggestions won’t provide a permanent solution, they are useful for achieving temporary relief until you can seek long-term results. You should still visit a dentist at the earliest convenience so they can figure out the root cause of your pain. And keep in mind, if you’re experiencing a life-threatening emergency, don’t wait. Call 911 or go to an emergency room or urgent care clinic immediately.

Get Your Dental Emergency Treated ASAP

If you’re unsure and are still asking yourself, “Do I have a dental emergency?” then call the Lovett Dental offices at 832-804-7427, and one of our helpful staff members will answer any questions you may have.

And if you can say for sure, “I have a dental emergency,” then don’t suffer in silence. If you delay making an appointment, you put yourself at risk for additional problems and even irreversible damage. The sooner you seek treatment, the simpler the solution will be. Call 832-804-7427 to make an appointment and get your problems treated right away.