Dental emergencies can be stressful, confusing, and sometimes frightening. It’s crucial to understand which situations require immediate attention and which ones can wait until your next dentist’s appointment. At Spokane Family Dental, we prioritize your oral health and safety, providing clear guidelines on handling dental emergencies. This guide will help you distinguish between urgent and non-urgent dental emergencies and direct you on the right actions to take to ensure your dental health is preserved in times of crisis.
What is a Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies are significant health concerns that demand immediate attention. These emergencies often involve severe pain, significant trauma, or conditions that could potentially worsen without prompt treatment. Understanding when to seek immediate dental care is vital for preventing the escalation of dental issues that could lead to more severe health problems or the loss of teeth.
Urgent Dental Emergencies
A good dental hygienist can empathize with patients’ discomfort and concerns. They understand that many people experience dental anxiety, and their compassionate approach helps patients feel relaxed and confident during cleanings and exams.
Immediate, decisive action is necessary for the following urgent dental situations:
- Severe Toothache: Indicates potential deep decay or an abscess that could worsen without rapid treatment.
- Knocked-Out Tooth: Quick action could potentially save the tooth, making it possible to re-implant it successfully.
- Loose Tooth: Any adult experiencing a loose tooth should seek immediate dental attention as it could indicate underlying issues.
- Significant Oral Bleeding: Especially when combined with trauma, uncontrolled bleeding requires urgent care to prevent further complications.
- Jaw or Facial Trauma: Injuries impacting the ability to breathe or swallow can be life-threatening and need immediate emergency care.
- Abscess or Severe Infection: These can spread, causing significant health problems, and require immediate attention to prevent serious health risks.
For guidance on these and other urgent cases, please visit our Dental Emergencies page.
Non-Urgent Dental Emergencies
While uncomfortable, some dental issues do not require the immediate response that others do. Here are examples of non-urgent dental emergencies:
- Lost Fillings or Crowns: These are important to address promptly to avoid damage to the tooth but can typically wait a day or two.
- Mild Toothache: If the pain is not severe, it is usually safe to wait a few days to see if the condition improves or worsens before seeking treatment.
- Food Stuck Between Teeth: This is usually not an emergency unless it causes significant pain or leads to infection.
- Broken or Cracked Tooth (without severe pain): Needs prompt care to prevent further damage or infection, but can wait until regular office hours if pain isn’t severe.
For these and other less urgent issues, booking an appointment during normal office hours is suitable. Learn more about our full range of dental services on our Service Overview Page.
How to Handle a Dental Emergency
Immediate Steps
- For a knocked-out tooth: Keep the tooth moist at all times. Try placing it back in the socket without touching the root, and if that’s not possible, keep it in milk or saliva until you can get treatment.
- For severe pain or bleeding: Rinse the area with cold water, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, and contact us immediately for advice or treatment.
When to Visit the Hospital
Head directly to the emergency room if you experience:
- Severe infections that cause difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- Heavy, uncontrollable bleeding.
- Major trauma to the face or jaw that impairs breathing or swallowing.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dental Emergencies
If you’re experiencing severe pain, bleeding, or have had a tooth knocked out, consider it an emergency and contact us immediately.
Many emergencies can be prevented with routine dental care and using protective gear like mouthguards during sports.
Spokane Family Dental provides an emergency contact number for after-hours situations. Don’t hesitate to call us whenever you need urgent care.
Immediate assessment and care are crucial, especially for knocked-out teeth or severe infections. Contact us or go to the emergency room depending on the severity.
Ideally, you should see a dentist within 30 minutes. This increases the chances of saving the tooth significantly.
Call Spokane Family Dental For Your Dental Emergency Today
At Spokane Family Dental, we understand the urgency of dental emergencies and are here to provide you with prompt, effective care. If you think you have a dental emergency, request an appointment immediately or call our office for guidance. Remember, acting quickly can make a significant difference in your dental health outcomes.