# Dental Emergency? When to Act Now

> Decide if tooth pain needs urgent care or can wait with ADA guidelines.
- Title: Dental Emergency? When to Act Now · Wellbeing Magazine
- Summary: 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.
- Keywords: dental emergency, tooth pain, swelling, fever, infection, american dental association, medlineplus, toothache, knocked out tooth, jaw swelling, Dental, Emergency
- Source: Wellbeing Magazine — https://wellbeingmagazine.com/is-it-a-dental-emergency-or-can-it-wait
- Author: Charlotte Ashley
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dental emergency, tooth pain, swelling, fever, infection, american dental association, medlineplus, toothache, knocked out tooth, jaw swelling
## 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
## Key takeaway

Check for swelling, fever, or inability to close teeth to avoid tooth loss.