What Exactly Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?

February 14, 2024

Dental emergencies can occur unexpectedly and can cause severe pain, discomfort, and even permanent damage if not promptly addressed. Identifying what qualifies as a dental emergency is essential to seek timely and appropriate care.

While some dental issues can wait, others require immediate attention to alleviate pain, prevent complications, and preserve oral health. So, what exactly qualifies as a dental emergency? Here’s what you need to know.

Common Dental Emergencies

Several conditions are considered dental emergencies, including severe toothaches, knocked-out or fractured teeth, abscesses, excessive bleeding from the mouth, severe oral infections, and traumatic injuries to the mouth or jaw.

These issues often necessitate immediate intervention by a dentist or emergency oral healthcare provider to prevent further damage and alleviate discomfort. If you can’t find a dentist to see you for these emergencies, you may need to go to the emergency room.

Severe Tooth Pain

Excruciating tooth pain that persists and is not relieved by over-the-counter pain medication could indicate an underlying issue such as an abscess, nerve damage, or severe decay.

Such persistent and severe toothaches require prompt assessment by a dental professional to pinpoint the root cause and provide appropriate treatment to alleviate pain and prevent potential complications [1].

Traumatic Injuries

Any traumatic injury to the mouth, teeth, or jaw, such as a knocked-out tooth, tooth fracture, or a laceration to the soft tissues of the mouth, constitutes a dental emergency. These can happen due to car accidents, sports injuries, or physical violence [2]. Immediate professional evaluation and intervention are critical in such cases to maximize the chances of saving damaged teeth, addressing oral injuries, and preventing infections or permanent damage.

Dental Infections and Abscesses

Oral infections and abscesses are serious conditions that require urgent dental care. Symptoms may include severe pain, swelling of the gums or face, fever, and sometimes drainage of pus, which can present as bad breath or a foul taste in the mouth.

An untreated or severe dental infection can lead to systemic health issues and even be life- threatening, making it crucial to seek immediate professional attention to prevent the spread of infection and address the underlying cause [3].

Persistent Bleeding or Swelling

Significant bleeding from the gums, oral tissues, or following dental procedures, as well as significant swelling of the face or gums, should be considered dental emergencies. These symptoms may indicate various underlying issues, such as trauma, infection, or other oral health complications that require immediate assessment and treatment to mitigate the risks and ensure proper healing.

What Doesn’t Constitute a Dental Emergency

While certain dental issues may cause discomfort, they may not necessarily qualify as emergencies. Examples may include:

Chipped teeth
Irritated or red gums
Loose or damaged fillings
Minor toothaches

These conditions are essential to address but typically do not necessitate immediate attention, although scheduling a timely dental appointment is recommended to prevent worsening symptoms.

Every patient is different, so if you have these issues and still feel you need to be seen by a dentist as soon as possible, trust your instinct and seek emergency care.

Don’t Put Off a Dental Emergency

If you’re experiencing severe pain, swelling, or bleeding in your mouth, you likely have a dental emergency and need to seek professional care as soon as possible. Most dentists offer emergency appointments to help their patients alleviate pain and address dental problems promptly. Don’t put off a dental emergency—seek care if you need it!