7 Common Dental Emergencies That Require Immediate Treatment

Just like an emergency in life, dental emergencies happen when you least expect them. Knowing what requires immediate attention — and what can wait a few days — can help you act quickly and prevent further complications. 

If you’re experiencing any of the following dental issues, don’t wait to seek emergency dental care here at Smile Design Studio of Bethesda. 

1. Knocked-out tooth

Knocked-out (avulsed) teeth are a common injury. In fact, 5 million American adults and children experience knocked-out teeth each year.

If a tooth gets knocked out, the next 30 minutes are the most important. Pick it up by the crown (not the root), rinse it gently if dirty, and try to place it back in the socket. If that’s not possible, store it in milk or saliva and get to us within half an hour for the best chance of saving it.

Our team of dentists do our best to reattach your tooth. Even if your tooth can’t be saved, we can replace it with a crown or a dental implant.

2. A severe toothache

While a minor toothache can mean that you have a small cavity forming, it’s best to not wait for your symptoms to get worse. A small toothache can quickly spiral into a severe one, and once that happens, it’s hard to focus on anything but the pain. 

A persistent, intense toothache could signal an infection or abscess. You might also have facial swelling. Rinse your mouth with warm water, floss gently to remove debris, and take over-the-counter pain relief if needed. 

But don’t ignore the pain — see us as soon as possible to prevent the infection from spreading. 

3. Your tooth is cracked

A cracked or broken tooth can be painful and expose the sensitive inner layers to bacteria. If you’ve cracked your tooth while eating, rinse your mouth with warm water, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, and visit us in Bethesda, Maryland, immediately to prevent further damage or infection.

4. You have an abscess

A dental abscess is a serious infection that can spread to other parts of your body if left untreated. 

Signs include severe pain, swelling, fever, and a bad taste in your mouth. Some dental abscesses can also form a pimple-like bump on your gums.

5. You have a partially dislodged tooth

Fully avulsed teeth aren’t the only dental emergency. Partially avulsed teeth also require immediate care. 

Avoid touching or wiggling it and get to our office as soon as possible. We can stabilize your tooth and improve the chances of saving it.

6. Lost or damaged restorations 

A lost filling or crown can expose your tooth to sensitivity and damage. If possible, place the crown back over the tooth using dental cement or toothpaste as a temporary fix. Don’t chew on that side of your mouth until your restoration is fixed. 

7. You spot the signs of post-procedure complications 

Dental emergencies typically fall into one of three categories:

• Traumatic/accidental 
• Infection
• Post-procedure complications

If you’ve just had a procedure — e.g., dental implant, wisdom tooth extraction — it’s important to know what symptoms warrant a call to our office. For example, bleeding that won’t stop after an extraction is a dental emergency.

If you’ve just had an extraction but are now in serious pain, you might be dealing with dry socket.

Don’t wait — get immediate dental care

Ignoring a dental emergency can lead to long-term damage and costly treatments. Most importantly, delaying care only postpones your relief. If you’re experiencing severe pain, swelling, or tooth trauma, call 301-907-8201. 

For less urgent matters, you can schedule your appointment online.