Dental Emergencies: How To Know if You Should Visit Your Dentist Immediately

April 17, 2024 | Mint Dental Works

 

You’re lying in bed, drifting off to sleep, when suddenly a sharp pain shoots through your tooth. It’s the wee hours on Sunday morning. You’re not alone in this uncertainty as you groggily wonder if this qualifies as a dental emergency. 

Dental problems aren’t black and white, and neither is pain. So, it’s understandable to be unsure whether to seek immediate dental care or wait until you can get an appointment. 

In this article, we will help translate what constitutes a dental emergency, outline seven reasons why you may need to see a dentist ASAP, provide examples of what to do in dental emergencies, and discuss whether a trip to the ER is necessary. 

 

Table of Contents

• What Is a Dental Emergency?
• What Constitutes a Dental Emergency? 7 Reasons To Visit Your Dentist Right Away
• Dental Emergencies: Examples and What To Do Immediately Following
• Should You Visit the Emergency Room if You Can’t See Your Dentist Right Away?
• Mint Dental Works: LEED Certified Dental Office Providing Services for Dental Emergencies and General Dentistry

 

 

What Is a Dental Emergency?

It’s essentially any issue with your teeth that demands immediate attention to:

• Alleviate Pain
• Prevent further damage
• Save a tooth 

However, not all unexpected or sudden dental problems are emergencies. For instance, a broken tooth might cause discomfort and concern, but it doesn’t usually warrant an immediate trip to your dentist. It can often wait until you’re able to secure an appointment.  

Patient experiences can vary widely, as pain thresholds differ among individuals. 

A minor cavity could cause significant pain for one person, while another with a decaying tooth might experience minimal discomfort or none at all. Therefore, it’s essential to assess each situation individually and seek professional dental care accordingly. 

 

What Constitutes a Dental Emergency? 7 Reasons To Visit Your Dentist Soon

 

#1: Spontaneous Pain

Imagine going about your day when suddenly, without warning, you experience a sharp, throbbing pain in your tooth. This unexpected pain should not be ignored. Whether it’s a severe toothache or shooting pain in your gums, any unexplained and spontaneous pain warrants prompt attention from your dentist to identify and address the underlying issue. 

 

#2: Lingering Pain

While spontaneous pain catches you off guard, lingering pain persists for hours or days — signaling a potential dental emergency. Lingering discomfort often presents as a persistent ache or throbbing sensation. 

While there are many home remedies for unbearable dental pain, lingering pain that does not subside with these remedies may indicate an underlying issue that requires attention. 

It can be very aggravating if you’ve ever had a nagging toothache that refuses to ease up, even after trying various home remedies.  If the discomfort persists before your scheduled dental appointment, it’s crucial not to ignore it, as it may indicate a more serious problem that needs immediate attention from your dentist.

 

 

#3: Pain That Wakes You at Night

There’s nothing as alarming as being sound asleep when excruciating pain in your teeth jolts you awake. Take it as a sign to contact your dentist. 

Experiencing dental pain that disrupts your sleep and awakens you in the middle of the night is an indication that you have a potential dental emergency. 

 

#4: Pain That Affects Your Daily Life

When dental pain becomes so severe that it impacts activities in your daily life, it’s a clear sign that you need to see your dentist right away. 

You should see your dentist right away if your dental issue impacts:

• Eating properly
• Concentrating at work or school
• Exercising 
• Sleeping
• Talking 

These examples highlight the diverse ways dental pain can impact your daily life — emphasizing the importance of seeking dental care immediately to address the underlying issue.

 

 

#5: Prolonged Sensitivity to Temperature Changes 

Cold or hot food and beverages can trigger tooth sensitivity, causing discomfort or pain. It can be shocking at first, but sensitivity should typically subside quickly once the temperature change ceases, lasting only seconds in a healthy dental system.

However, prolonged sensitivity persisting for over an hour after consumption of a cold or hot item could signal underlying inflammation. Cold sensitivity is often associated with gum recession. It is common and less concerning.

In contrast, heat sensitivity is more worrisome as it indicates existing tissue problems. Swelling can compress the nerves even with slight inflammation. Increased blood flow with heat exacerbates the compression, affecting the innermost layer of your tooth and leading to conditions like pulpitis.

Pulpitis is defined as inflammation of the dental pulp, which is the soft tissue located in the center of the tooth containing:

• Nerves
• Blood vessels
• Connective tissue 

 

#6: Swelling and Inflammation

Swollen or inflamed gums are common occurrences, often triggered by various factors such as gingivitis or foreign objects lodged in the gums. While these instances may cause discomfort, they typically do not warrant immediate dental intervention.

Severe inflammation, especially linked to heat sensitivity as discussed earlier, can indicate a more urgent dental concern like pulpitis.

It’s important to distinguish between reversible and irreversible pulpitis. 

• Reversible Pulpitis: This is seen clinically as an intense response to cold or hot stimuli. Sensitivity is resolved quickly once the stimulus is removed. 
• Irreversible Pulpitis: This is seen as a severe, lingering response to cold or hot stimuli. This usually necessitates a root canal or extraction. 

At Mint Dental Works, our experienced dentists are well-versed in identifying these differences and providing targeted treatment, ensuring effective management of pulpitis. 

 

 

#7: Trouble Breathing or Swallowing

Experiencing pain in your lower jaw that affects your ability to breathe can be extremely alarming. You also may notice pain in your neck that interferes with swallowing.

These symptoms may indicate an infection of the fascial planes, which are deep spaces within the jaw and neck. Such conditions can escalate into life-threatening situations, necessitating immediate medical attention. When presented with these symptoms we advise going to the emergency room.

 

Dental Emergencies: Examples and What To Do Immediately Following

Many things fall within the symptoms discussed that could be considered a dental emergency. Below are some real-life examples and what you should do to help manage the emergency until you can see your dentist.

 

Severe Toothache

Dealing with a sudden and intense toothache can quickly disrupt your day. If you find yourself in this uncomfortable situation, follow these recommendations to alleviate the pain and seek timely dental care:

• Using dental floss, remove any lodged food, as often that can be the cause of the toothache. 
• Rinse your mouth with warm water. 
• If you experience swelling after rinsing, apply a cold compress to your face to help alleviate inflammation.
• Take over-the-counter pain medication. 

 

Knocked-Out Tooth

Losing a tooth unexpectedly can be extremely painful and distressing, but quick action can increase the chances of saving your tooth. If you find yourself in this situation: 

• Hold the tooth by its crown and rinse the root with water. Avoid scrubbing and do not remove any tissue.
• Attempt to reinsert it into the socket, but avoid forcing it. If it doesn’t go back in, place it in a small container of milk or water with salt. Milk has been found to be the best solution to keep a tooth viable for reinsertion. 
• Visit your dentist as soon as possible, ideally within the hour. This offers the best chance of saving the tooth. 

 

Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is a localized collection of pus, caused by a bacterial infection. This usually results in severe pain and swelling and can swiftly lead to damage to surrounding tissues and teeth.

If you suspect you have a dental abscess, rinse your mouth with a salt-water solution to help reduce bacteria and alleviate discomfort. Repeat several times a day until you can be seen by a dentist. 

It’s crucial to visit a dentist as soon as possible to prevent further complications. 

 

Extruded Tooth

An extruded tooth is when the tooth is partially pushed out of its socket. This painful condition, often resulting from incidents like sports injuries, requires immediate attention to prevent further complications. 

While waiting to see a dentist for an extruded tooth, you can:

• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth near the impacted area to alleviate swelling and pain. 
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers for additional relief. 

 

Soft Tissue Injury

Falls or trauma from sharp objects can cause soft tissue injuries in the mouth. This can result in cuts or tears to the gums, lips, cheeks, or tongue. 

It’s important with soft tissue injuries to control the bleeding as you await dental care. If you experience trauma to your mouth: 

• Rinse your mouth with a salt-water solution to clean the area and help prevent infection. 
• Use moistened gauze and apply gentle pressure to the injury for 15-20 minutes to control the bleeding. 
• Hold a cold compress outside the mouth in the affected area for 5-10 minutes to reduce pain and swelling. 
• See your dentist right away for a proper evaluation and treatment to ensure optimal healing and prevent infections. 

 

Should You Visit the Emergency Room if You Can’t See Your Dentist Right Away?

Visiting the emergency room is something most people would prefer to avoid. However, visiting the ER may become necessary in certain dental emergencies. Consider the following situations:

• Severe soft tissue injuries: If you experience severe soft tissue injuries with uncontrollable bleeding, immediate medical attention at the ER is crucial to address the issue promptly.
• Severe inflammation within 24 hours: Sudden severe inflammation, particularly in the lower jaw, can be very serious. If you are unable to see your dentist promptly, you should go to the emergency room. Left untreated, such conditions can escalate into potentially life-threatening complications.

While the ER may not address the underlying cause, they can provide palliative treatment, such as pain relief with narcotics and IV antibiotics, to manage symptoms until you can receive dental care. 

 

 

Mint Dental Works: LEED Certified Dental Office Providing Services for Dental Emergencies and General Dentistry 

At Mint Dental Works, we understand the uncertainty surrounding when to seek immediate dental care. Knowing the distress dental emergencies can cause, we strive to provide prompt and compassionate service. 

Whether you or your loved one is having a dental emergency, Mint Dental Works treats patients of all ages. 

Our LEED-certified facility reflects environmentally friendly dentistry, with initiatives such as reduced water and paper towel usage. Our high-tech, sustainable approach extends to our emergency dental services, ensuring all patients receive efficient and eco-conscious treatment during urgent situations.

Trust Mint Dental Works for comprehensive emergency and general dentistry services, where your well-being and comfort are our top priority.

 

The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.