Differences between Urgent and Non-Urgent Dental Emergencies
Everyday dental problems can get worse if left untreated, but when it comes to dental emergencies, immediate treatment is vital. A dental emergency involves any dental problem that requires immediate action to save a tooth, stop ongoing tissue bleeding, or alleviate severe pain.
But how do you know if you’re dealing with an urgent dental emergency? Non-urgent dental emergencies can usually wait a few days for treatment, but urgent ones should be seen by an emergency dentist that day. If you need emergency dental services, call our dentist office immediately.
What Is an Urgent Dental Emergency?
According to the , dental emergencies “are potentially life threatening and require immediate treatment.” Examples of urgent dental emergencies include:
- Severe toothache
- Chipped, broken, or cracked teeth causing severe pain
- Knocked-out tooth
- Partially dislodged tooth
- Swelling or bulging gums
What to Do for a Knocked-Out Tooth
In any urgent dental emergency, your first step should be to call an emergency dentist. When dealing with a , though, there are a few other things you should know.
First, never pick up a tooth by the root. Otherwise, you will damage the tooth root and make it impossible for the dentist to put it back in your mouth. Always hold the tooth by the crown (top of the tooth).
Second, make sure to clean the tooth. If there is any dirt or debris on it, rinse gently with water.
Third, do your best to preserve the tooth. If possible, place it back in your socket and hold in place by using your fingers or gently biting down. If you’re unable to put the tooth back in your mouth, you’ll need to keep it submerged in milk to prevent it from cracking.
What Is a Non-Urgent Dental Emergency?
You may be suffering from a dental issue that requires dental treatment, but you can wait a day or two without causing severe pain or further damage. In that case, you’re likely dealing with a non-urgent dental emergency. Examples of non-urgent dental emergencies include:
- Dull toothache
- Broken or cracked tooth without severe pain
- Lost filling, crown, or bridge
- Food lodged between teeth
- Bitten lip or tongue without tissue bleeding
What to Do for a Dull Toothache
You’d be surprised how many you can alleviate by just flossing.
It’s not uncommon for little pieces of food to get caught between teeth and cause pain. Before calling our office, try to gently floss between the two affected teeth and see if you can dislodge any food debris. If the pain goes away, you’ve just avoided a trip to the dentist.
What to Do for a Broken Tooth
If your tooth has broken, don’t panic. Collect all the pieces of your broken tooth so you can take them with you when you see our emergency dentist. Be sure to rinse your mouth out with warm water and apply a cold compress to the affected area. That way, you can decrease swelling and pain until you can be seen by our dentist.
What to Do for a Bitten Lip or Tongue
If you’ve bitten your lip or tongue, gently rinse the area with water. Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, you’ll need to seek out emergency dental services.
Get Emergency Dental Care
Dr. Vanessa Rashid, DMD, is dedicated to restoring teeth after sports dental injuries or other types of dental emergencies. Our Naples, FL, emergency dentist can make sure you get the emergency dental care you need. Call The Modern Dentist today at (239) 591-3330, or contact us online to schedule an appointment.
This blog post has been updated.