You wake up with severe tooth pain.
Your face starts to swell.
You break a tooth over the weekend.
Where should you go: an emergency dentist or the hospital emergency room?
The answer depends on what is happening.
For many problems involving the teeth and gums, a dentist is the healthcare professional who can diagnose and treat the source of the problem. But certain symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Here is how to tell the difference.
When to Contact an Emergency Dentist
If the problem is primarily affecting a tooth, restoration or gum area, contacting a dentist is usually the appropriate first step.
Examples include:
Severe tooth pain
A persistent or severe toothache may be caused by decay, inflammation, infection, a crack or another dental problem.
Pain medication may temporarily reduce discomfort, but it does not identify or treat the cause.
An emergency dental assessment allows the dentist to examine the tooth and determine what is happening.
A chipped or broken tooth
A broken tooth does not necessarily mean the tooth is lost.
Depending on the damage, it may be possible to repair and preserve it.
Contact a dentist as soon as possible, especially if the tooth is painful or a significant portion has broken away.
A knocked-out permanent tooth
A knocked-out adult tooth requires immediate dental attention.
Handle the tooth by the crown, avoid scrubbing the root and contact a dentist right away.
When appropriate and possible, a knocked-out permanent tooth may be able to be replanted, but acting quickly is important.
A lost crown or filling
A lost restoration may not seem like an emergency if there is no pain, but the underlying tooth can become sensitive or sustain additional damage.
Avoid chewing on the affected tooth and contact your dental office.
Swelling related to a tooth
Swelling around a tooth or gum can indicate an infection and should be assessed promptly.
A dentist can determine where the infection is coming from and what dental treatment is required.
When Should You Go to the Emergency Room?
Some situations go beyond a routine dental emergency and require immediate medical care.
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
If facial, jaw or neck swelling is interfering with your ability to breathe or swallow, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Do not wait for a routine dental appointment.
Uncontrolled bleeding
Bleeding from the mouth following an injury should be treated with firm pressure using clean gauze or cloth.
If significant bleeding does not stop, hospital emergency care may be necessary.
Serious facial trauma
An accident that causes significant injury to the face or jaw may involve more than the teeth.
If you suspect a broken jaw, serious facial injury, head injury or other significant trauma, seek emergency medical care.
Severe infection with concerning medical symptoms
Dental infections can occasionally extend beyond the immediate tooth and gum area.
Significant facial swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or other serious systemic symptoms require urgent medical attention.
Can the ER Fix a Tooth?
A hospital emergency department can be essential when a dental problem has become a broader medical emergency.
However, hospitals generally are not a replacement for definitive dental treatment.
If the source of the problem is a damaged or infected tooth, you may still require follow-up treatment from a dentist after the immediate medical concern has been addressed.
This is why, for most tooth-specific emergencies without serious medical warning signs, calling a dentist first makes sense.
What If You Are Not Sure?
You do not need to diagnose yourself.
Call your dental office and describe:
- Where the problem is
- How severe the pain is
- Whether there is swelling
- Whether you have experienced an injury
- Whether there is bleeding
- Whether you can breathe and swallow normally
The dental team can help determine how urgently you should be assessed and whether emergency medical care may be more appropriate.
If you are having difficulty breathing or experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911.
Emergency Dental Care in Oakville
Dental emergencies can be stressful, particularly when you do not know what is causing the pain.
At Smiles by Bis in Oakville, our goal is to first understand the problem, then explain the appropriate treatment options.
If you have severe tooth pain, a broken tooth, dental swelling or another urgent dental concern, contact our office as soon as possible to discuss the appropriate next step and appointment availability.
Call Smiles by Bis at 905-338-6684