From Wellbeing Magazine · Charlotte Ashley · · 1m 20s
Dental Emergency? When to Act Now
Decide if tooth pain needs urgent care or can wait with ADA guidelines.
In brief
Decide if tooth pain needs urgent care or can wait with ADA guidelines. Check for swelling, fever, or inability to close teeth to avoid tooth loss. Originally reported by Wellbeing Magazine.
Quick answers
- What Makes Something a Dental Emergency?
- A dental emergency is any problem where waiting could cost you a tooth or signs of serious infection.
- What is the key takeaway from Dental Emergency? When to Act Now?
- Check for swelling, fever, or inability to close teeth to avoid tooth loss.
What Makes Something a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any problem where waiting could cost you a tooth or signs of serious infection.
“can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth”
Get Help Right Away If...
A permanent tooth is knocked out, your face or jaw is swelling, you have tooth pain with fever or bitter taste, or you can't close your teeth together.
“a very serious symptom”
Call Your Dentist Soon If...
A toothache that won't go away, a small bump on your gum, a cracked or broken tooth, or a lost filling or crown.
“a throbbing ache that keeps coming back”
It Can Usually Wait If...
A small chip with no pain, mild sensitivity to hot or cold, or food stuck between teeth.
“simple chips that don't cause discomfort”
What to Do While You Wait
For a knocked-out tooth: pick by crown, keep moist, don't scrub root. For toothache: rinse with warm water and floss.
“never let it dry out”
Finding Help When It Happens
Save dentist's number, find emergency process, and give detail when calling for help.
“NHS 111 can help you find urgent dental care”
The Bottom Line
If unsure, call your dentist. Swelling, fever, or worsening pain mean act now.
“swelling, fever and pain that keeps getting worse are signs to act on”
The takeaway
Check for swelling, fever, or inability to close teeth to avoid tooth loss.
