No one expects a dental emergency. One moment you are fine, the next you are dealing with severe pain, bleeding, or a broken tooth. Acting quickly can make all the difference. Below are five common dental emergencies and the steps to take.
1. Toothache That Doesn’t Go Away
Toothache is one of the most frequent reasons people seek urgent dental care. While mild pain may sometimes settle, persistent or severe toothache is usually a sign of an underlying problem, such as tooth decay, gum disease or infection.
What you can do:
- Rinse your mouth with warm water to help keep it clean.
- Carefully floss between your teeth to check if anything is stuck.
- Take over-the-counter pain relief to ease discomfort.
- Avoid placing aspirin directly against the gums, as this can cause tissue damage.
Tooth pain is your body’s way of signalling that something is wrong. If it becomes unbearable or lasts more than a couple of days, you may need emergency dentist treatment to prevent the problem from worsening.
2. A Knocked-Out Tooth
Having a tooth knocked out can be alarming, but it doesn’t always mean it’s lost forever. With the right care and quick action, there’s a chance the tooth can be saved.
What you can do:
- Handle the tooth by the crown (the top), not the root.
- Rinse it gently with water if dirty, but don’t scrub it.
- If possible, place the tooth back into the socket and hold it there.
- If that’s not possible, store it in milk or a saline solution to keep it moist.
It’s crucial to see a dentist straight away. The best chance of saving the tooth is within 30–60 minutes of it being knocked out.
3. Cracked or Broken Tooth
A cracked or broken tooth may not always hurt at first, but the damage can quickly get worse if left untreated. Even a small chip can expose the inner layers of the tooth to bacteria, leading to sensitivity and infection.
What you can do:
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm water.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling.
- Avoid chewing on the affected side.
- If the tooth has sharp edges, cover them with dental wax from a pharmacy.
This is a situation where you might need dentist attention. Depending on the severity, treatment could range from a simple filling to a crown or even a root canal. The sooner you get it checked, the better the outcome.
4. Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is an infection that can cause severe pain and swelling. It usually appears as a pocket of pus in the gums or at the root of a tooth. If ignored, the infection can spread beyond your mouth and may even become life-threatening.
Signs of an abscess include:
- Intense, throbbing pain.
- Swelling of the face or jaw.
- Fever or feeling unwell.
- A foul taste in your mouth caused by pus.
What you can do:
- Rinse with a warm saltwater solution to ease discomfort.
- Take pain relief if needed.
- Never try to pop or drain the abscess yourself.
This is one of the clearest cases for urgent dental treatment. Only a dentist can properly drain the abscess and address the infection.
5. Lost Filling or Crown
Fillings and crowns protect teeth that have already been damaged, but sometimes they come loose or fall out, especially while eating. When this happens, the exposed tooth can feel extremely sensitive and is at risk of further decay or breakage.
What you can do:
- Keep the tooth clean by rinsing your mouth regularly.
- Use dental cement or sugar-free chewing gum as a temporary cover.
- Try to avoid chewing on the affected side.
- Take the crown with you to the dentist sometimes it can be reattached.
While it may not always feel as urgent as a severe toothache, it’s important to see a dentist promptly to protect the tooth from further damage.
Final Thoughts
Dental emergencies are never convenient, but knowing how to respond calmly and quickly can save a tooth and prevent long term problems. Whether it’s a toothache, a knocked out tooth, or an abscess, don’t put off treatment.
If you are unsure whether your problem needs urgent care, it is safer to be seen. Quick assessment can save a tooth and prevent complications. Book an emergency appointment or call our team for guidance.
