At Coombe End Dental, we cater to all sorts of dental requirements, from your run-of-the-mill dental hygienist appointment, to dental emergencies. And one question we often get asked is, what exactly is a dental emergency?

It’s important to know what qualifies for an emergency, and what doesn’t, so as to know what kind of dental care is appropriate in your case. That’s what we aim to clarify in this article.

 

What is a dental emergency?

Is the pain you’re feeling right now enough to qualify as a dental emergency? Well, it depends. Depending on the source of your pain, and your medical history, it might qualify, and so, make you eligible to receive emergency dental care sooner than you think.

While there may be numerous causes for your dental emergency, some of the most common symptoms covered by an emergency are:

 

• Uncontrolled bleeding – by this, we mean bleeding from your mouth that is prolonged and refuses to stop. If you’ve somehow injured yourself orally, and your bleeding refuses to abate, then it might be a sign of a dental emergency, and you should seek medical help immediately. Similarly, a very intense flow of blood from your mouth might also be a serious sign, and should be treated accordingly.
• Severe pain – If you suddenly find yourself suffering from severe dental pain, then you might need to schedule an emergency dentist appointment, as your pain might be a symptom of something more serious. This generally refers to pain that is sudden, and intense, and might or might not have a reasonable explanation (such as disease you were previously aware of).
• Infection – since dental infection can spread very quickly to the nervous system, it is a very serious situation. If you are experiencing swelling in or around the mouth, hot skin around the affected area, fever, or other infection-like symptoms, seek medical attention.
• Knocked-out tooth – if you lost a tooth due to a serious impact, then emergency dental care might be able to save that tooth, if offered suitable quickly.

 

But then, what isn’t a dental emergency?

So we’ve established that if you’re experiencing one or more of the above symptoms, you should seek dental care immediately, as that might provide the relief you need. So now, let’s talk a bit about what isn’t a dental emergency, and what should be done then.

Practically, anything that doesn’t fall in the above categories isn’t considered a dental emergency. For instance, if you are dealing with a cracked tooth, a missing crown, or toothache, it’s unlikely that you are experiencing a dental emergency.

Regardless, that shouldn’t mean delaying your dental visit any longer than you need to, since these can still be very serious complaints, and the sooner they are treated, the better.

If you’re experiencing a less severe pain, or have somehow injured your tooth, or are missing a cap or filling, schedule a dentist appointment at your nearest convenience. This can prevent unnecessary suffering, and provide relief and treatment in potentially serious ailments.