Summary
Severe pain, swelling, bleeding, infections or damaged teeth are all signs of a dental emergency. Acting quickly can relieve discomfort, prevent complications, and even save a tooth. Knowing which symptoms need urgent care and which can wait helps you make the right call when something doesn’t feel right.
When it comes to dental problems, it’s not always easy to know what counts as an emergency and what can wait until your next routine appointment. But when something doesn’t feel right, especially if there’s pain, swelling, or bleeding, it’s best not to ignore it.
In this post, we’ll walk you through what qualifies as a dental emergency, what symptoms to look out for, and what steps you should take if you or a loved one experiences one.
What Is Considered a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any issue involving your teeth, gums, or mouth that needs immediate attention to stop bleeding, save a tooth, manage severe pain, or treat an infection. These situations usually can’t wait for a regular dental check-up and need urgent care – sometimes even the same day.
If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing is a true emergency, the general rule is this: if it hurts, swells, bleeds, or interferes with eating or speaking—it’s worth calling your dentist.
Common Signs of a Dental Emergency
Here are some tell-tale signs you should never ignore:
1. Severe Toothache or Pain
Persistent, throbbing pain is often a sign of an infection. If the pain is affecting your ability to eat, sleep, or concentrate, it’s time to seek infected tooth treatment.
2. Swelling in the Mouth or Jaw
Swelling could indicate a tooth infection, abscess, or injury. This type of swelling may be accompanied by a bad taste in the mouth or fever, which are signs the infection could be spreading.
3. Knocked-Out or Loose Teeth
If a tooth is knocked out completely, there’s a small window of time (ideally within 30–60 minutes) to save it. Try to keep the tooth moist and contact your dentist immediately. A suddenly loose adult tooth is also a red flag.
4. Broken or Chipped Teeth (Especially If It Hurts)
A cracked or chipped tooth might not always hurt, but if there’s pain, sensitivity or exposed nerves, it needs urgent care. Left untreated, it can lead to infection or further damage.
5. Bleeding That Won’t Stop
Uncontrolled bleeding from the gums or after an injury can be serious. While mild gum bleeding (like from flossing) isn’t usually an emergency, heavy or prolonged bleeding is.
6. Abscesses or Signs of Infection
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection and can become life-threatening if not treated quickly. Symptoms include pain, swelling, fever, and a pimple-like bump on the gums.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above, here’s what to do:
- Call your dentist right away. Most dental practices, including Family Dental Clinic, set aside time for emergency appointments.
- Explain your symptoms clearly. This helps the dental team assess urgency and advise you on next steps.
- Manage pain or swelling at home by using over-the-counter pain relief and a cold compress on the outside of your cheek.
- If a tooth is knocked out, keep it in milk or inside your cheek (if safe to do so) and get to the dentist ASAP.
When It’s Not an Emergency (But Still Worth Booking In)
Some dental issues don’t need same-day treatment but still require attention. These include:
- Mild tooth sensitivity
- Dull toothache that comes and goes
- Lost fillings or crowns without pain
- Broken braces (unless they’re cutting into your mouth)
In these cases, it’s still a good idea to call your dentist and book the next available appointment.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your oral health. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and give your dentist a call. Acting quickly can make a big difference – whether that’s clearing up an infected wisdom tooth or simply easing your pain.
Need to see an emergency dentist in Chichester?If you’re experiencing an urgent dental issue, please contact our Chichester dental clinic on 01243 771171 or leave a message and we’ll get back to you.