Wondering if that toothache or broken tooth needs attention today, or if it can wait until your next regular appointment?
The answer depends on your specific symptoms. But generally, severe or worsening pain, swelling, a badly broken tooth, uncontrolled bleeding around the gums, signs of infection, and a knocked-out adult tooth deserve prompt attention from a dentist and should never be left to see if they improve on their own.
You should also call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if dental swelling makes it difficult to breathe or swallow, begins spreading toward your eye or neck, or accompanies a suspected broken jaw.
To help you understand how urgent your situation may be, read on for a breakdown of common dental emergencies and what to do if you find yourself facing one in Celebration, FL.
If you need an emergency dentist in Celebration, FL, call Lumos Dental Studio at (689) 308-3049 or request an emergency appointment online. You can also visit our emergency dentistry page to learn more about the types of dental emergencies we can help you with and what you can safely do at home before receiving care.
When Should You Call an Emergency Dentist in Celebration, FL?
Not every dental problem needs immediate treatment. However, if pain, swelling, or an injury is making it difficult to eat, sleep, speak, or carry on with your day, it’s best to contact an emergency dentist in Celebration, FL as soon as possible.
Signs that you may need emergency dental care include:
- Severe tooth pain that persists or gets worse
- Swelling in your gums, cheek, face, or jaw
- A badly cracked, broken, loose, or knocked-out tooth
- A lost filling, crown, or bridge that is painful or has left a sharp edge
- Bleeding that does not stop after you apply firm pressure
- A pimple-like bump on your gums
- A fever alongside dental pain or swelling
- An injury that has changed the way your teeth come together when you bite
Pain, swelling, and other dental symptoms do not always point to one clear cause. An examination can help your dentist determine what is happening and explain the treatment options available.
When Does a Toothache Need Urgent Attention?
A mild toothache that comes and goes doesn’t necessarily require emergency treatment, but it should still be checked by a dentist at your next appointment.
If the tooth pain is severe, constant, throbbing, getting worse, or making it difficult to eat or sleep, contact an emergency dentist in Celebration, FL for prompt care. You should also seek urgent care if the toothache is accompanied by swelling, fever, or difficulty opening your jaw.
While you wait for your appointment, gently rinse your mouth with warm water. If you think food is caught between your teeth, carefully remove it with dental floss. You should also avoid chewing on the painful side, and consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever (though this will not treat the underlying problem).
Do not place aspirin or any other pain medication directly against the tooth or gums. As the American Dental Association explains, aspirin can damage your gum tissue without addressing the cause of the toothache.
Why Dental Swelling Should Never Be Ignored
Swelling around a tooth or in your gums, cheek, face, or jaw can be a sign of infection and should be checked as soon as possible. Without treatment, a dental infection can spread into the surrounding tissues and, in severe cases, affect your breathing or other parts of your body, which can be life-threatening.
One possible cause of dental swelling is a dental abscess. This is a pocket of infection that can form around a tooth or its root. An abscess will not go away without treatment, and waiting too long to seek care can allow the infection to spread.
If an abscess drains, you may suddenly notice an unpleasant taste in your mouth and feel some relief from the pain. However, this does not mean the infection is gone. You will still need to see a dentist to have the tooth examined and treated.
If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling that is spreading toward your eye or neck, or facial swelling with a fever and you cannot reach a dentist, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. These symptoms may mean the infection has spread and require immediate medical care.
Does a Broken Tooth Always Need Emergency Care?
A tiny chip that is not painful and has not left a sharp edge can usually wait for a regular dental appointment. However, contact a dentist immediately if a large piece has broken off, the tooth is deeply cracked, you are in significant pain, or there is bleeding. You should also seek urgent care if the broken tooth has a sharp edge that is cutting your tongue or cheek, or if it broke after a blow to your face or head.
Until you can see a dentist, gently rinse your mouth with warm water and keep any pieces of the tooth you can find. If your cheek begins to swell, hold a cold compress against the outside of your face. Avoid chewing on the affected side, and never try to fix the tooth with glue or another household product.
What Should You Do if an Adult Tooth Is Knocked Out?
A knocked-out adult tooth is a dental emergency, so call an emergency dentist in Celebration, FL and make your way to the office immediately. The sooner the tooth is treated, the better the chance that it can be saved.
Before heading to the dentist, pick up the tooth by the crown (the white part you normally see above the gums) and avoid touching the root. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with water, but do not scrub it or remove any tissue that is still attached. If you can, carefully place the tooth back into its socket without forcing it.
If you cannot put the tooth back in place, keep it moist in milk or a tooth-preservation product while you travel to the dentist. Do not let it dry out.
Never place a knocked-out baby tooth back into its socket, as this could damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Instead, call a dentist straight away for advice.
What Should You Do if a Filling, Crown, or Bridge Comes Loose?
If you have a loose filling, crown, or bridge but are otherwise comfortable, call your dentist to arrange a regular appointment. Don’t wait too long, though, as the exposed tooth may be more vulnerable to sensitivity or further damage.
Book an emergency dental appointment if you develop severe or worsening pain, swelling, bleeding that will not stop, a sharp edge that is cutting your mouth, or difficulty biting normally. You should also seek prompt care if the tooth underneath appears cracked or broken.
Keep the filling, crown, or bridge somewhere safe if you can find it, and bring it to your appointment. In the meantime, avoid chewing on the affected side and never try to reattach the restoration with household glue. Your dentist can find out why it came loose and determine whether it can be put back in place or needs to be replaced.
What Happens During an Emergency Dental Appointment?
We know that dental pain and injuries can be stressful, especially when you don’t know what’s causing the problem.
That’s why our number one priority is helping you feel comfortable and listening to what happened.
Our team may ask when your symptoms started, how they’ve changed, and what makes them better or worse. We will then examine the tooth and surrounding gums, take dental images when appropriate, and look for signs of infection, decay, or trauma.
Once we have a better understanding of why your tooth is aching or swollen, we will clearly explain the next steps you can take. Some concerns can be treated during the emergency visit. Others may require short-term protection or relief followed by a planned restorative appointment.
Either way, you will leave with a clearer understanding of the problem and what comes next.
Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Dentists in Celebration, FL
Can a toothache wait until my next dental appointment?
A mild toothache that goes away quickly may be able to wait until a regular appointment, but you should still mention it to your dentist. Call sooner if the pain keeps coming back, becomes severe, gets worse, or makes it difficult to eat or sleep. Tooth pain accompanied by swelling or a fever also needs prompt attention.
Is facial swelling a dental emergency?
Facial swelling can be caused by an infection, injury, or another problem that needs to be assessed promptly. If you are having trouble breathing or swallowing, the swelling is spreading toward your eye or neck, or you have facial swelling and a fever but cannot reach a dentist, go to the nearest emergency room.
What should I do if I break a tooth?
Gently rinse your mouth with warm water and keep any pieces of the tooth you can find. If swelling develops, place a cold compress against the outside of your cheek. Avoid chewing on the broken tooth, and contact a dentist promptly if the break is painful, deep, sharp, or happened after an injury.
Can an emergency room fix a broken tooth?
An emergency room can treat serious facial injuries, bleeding, and problems with breathing or swallowing. However, ER doctors generally cannot repair the tooth itself. Treatments such as bonding, fillings, and crowns will usually need to be completed by a dentist.
What should I do if dental swelling makes it hard to breathe or swallow?
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Difficulty breathing or swallowing could mean the swelling or infection is affecting your airway, so don’t wait for a dental appointment.
Don’t Wait for Dental Pain or Swelling to Get Worse
It can be difficult to tell how urgent a dental problem is without having it examined. Pain may come and go, and even a badly damaged tooth may not hurt as much as you would expect.
Calling a dentist promptly can help you avoid unnecessary discomfort and prevent damage or infection from becoming more serious. It also gives you a chance to explain your symptoms and find out if you need emergency care or if a regular appointment is appropriate.
If you’re concerned about a tooth, give us a call at (689) 308-3049 or request an emergency appointment. We can talk you through your situation, help you decide how soon you need to come in, and explain how to manage the affected area safely in the meantime.
