A dental emergency is any situation involving sudden pain, trauma, or a condition that requires prompt attention to relieve suffering, stop bleeding, or save a tooth. Common dental emergencies include severe toothache that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain relief, a knocked-out (avulsed) tooth, a cracked or broken tooth (especially if it’s painful or has sharp edges), a lost filling or crown exposing the tooth underneath, a dental abscess (a painful swelling that may indicate serious infection), uncontrolled bleeding after an extraction or injury, and trauma to the mouth, jaw, or teeth from an accident or sports injury.
If you’re unsure whether your situation is an emergency, the safest approach is to call your dental practice and describe what’s happening. At Dental Folk, we’ll always do our best to see you as quickly as possible when you’re in pain or distress.