A dental emergency can seem like a subjective thing. At what point do you decide that you are experiencing a dental emergency that requires immediate attention? When do you simply call and schedule an appointment for the next day or week? It can be difficult to determine where the line is between dental emergency and a problem that can be treated at home. You might be wondering if it’s mild enough to wait for until a regular appointment becomes available. There are four common issues that are often dental emergencies and require quick attention. These issues include severe tooth pain, sore and swollen gums, trauma to a tooth, and a tooth getting knocked out.

Severe tooth pain

Tooth pain happens to everyone from time to time. Mild discomfort in a tooth could be a sign of decay. It could be connected to another issue such as a sinus infection. If the discomfort you feel is manageable with over-the-counter pain medicine, then you are not experiencing a dental emergency. Severe pain, on the other hand, does constitute a dental emergency. If the pain is preventing you from sleeping, eating, and functioning normally then you need a dentist’s help. Severe tooth pain that is not alleviated with the help of over-the-counter pain medicine is unlikely to subside without the help of your dentist.

Sore and swollen gums

Gums that are suddenly sore, swollen, and inflamed can point to the presence of an issue such as an infection. Severe gum disease can also cause your gums to be sore and swollen. If the pain in your gums is severe and preventing you from living your life normally, you need to get help right away. A serious infection in your gums can potentially spread and cause you to become ill. Get in touch with your dentist if you ever start to experience sudden and severe issues with your gums.

Trauma to a tooth

Trauma to a tooth often constitutes a dental emergency. A fall, accident, or hit can cause your gums to bleed, chip or crack your tooth, and cause it to become loose. In some situations, the tooth can become discolored and potentially show signs of tooth death long after the trauma. It is important to have your dentist take a look at your injured tooth to determine if any intervention is necessary. It is better to address trauma to your tooth immediately after it happens instead of waiting to see if long-term issues arise.

Tooth getting knocked out

Having a permanent tooth knocked out is always a dental emergency. If you act quickly after losing a tooth, your dentist may be able to help you save it. Long-term, losing a tooth can lead to bone loss in your jaw and cause your other teeth to shift out of alignment. To protect against these issues, you will need to consider an intervention such as getting a dental implant. It is much less invasive to get help saving your tooth that was knocked out than to opt for a dental implant later.

You can talk to your dentist more in depth about the dental emergency process. Oftentimes, dentists have a number you can call after hours when you need help for a dental emergency.