What Is a Dental Emergency?

Most dental offices were only seeing patients for emergency dentistry during the COVID-19 lockdown. And that created a lot of confusion among people. Because, what may seem like an emergency to you, may not be considered one by a dentist and vice versa. 

Knowing how to differentiate between dental emergencies and urgent dental issues can make a significant difference in how well you manage your problem. 

So, here's what is considered a dental emergency in Southington and what to do if you're experiencing one. 

So, What Is a Dental Emergency? 

Everything seems like an emergency when you are in pain. But, for a dental problem to be considered an emergency, then it needs to pose a threat to your life. 

Here are some examples of dental emergencies:

• Knocked-out Tooth: Knocking out a tooth is considered a dental emergency. If you've knocked out an adult tooth, try to place it back into its socket and call your dentist immediately. If you can't place it back in its position, store it in a container with milk or water. 

• A Cracked Tooth: A cracked or fractured tooth is a dental emergency as it may mean that both the outer and inner layers of the tooth have been affected. Clean your mouth with warm water, especially if there's some bleeding too. Call your dentist to let them know about the accident and request an emergency appointment. Use a cold compress to reduce swelling until you get to the clinic. 

• Tooth Abscess: A tooth abscess occurs when an infection is not treated in time, and it forms a pocket of pus inside the tooth. This is a dental emergency because if left untreated, the infection can spread to other organs, potentially threatening your life. 

What's Not a Dental Emergency? 

As we said, it can be difficult to distinguish between a dental problem that requires emergency dental care and one that can wait until regular office hours. So, here are some examples of issues that are not dental emergencies:

• If you have a chipped tooth that's not hurting, then it's probably not an emergency. But, if you are in a lot of pain, it's best to talk to your dentist, and they can determine if they should see you right away. 

• Toothache: If there's no abscess and you can control the pain with OTC medication, then you can wait until your next appointment. 

Not Sure If You Need Emergency Dentistry? Call Us Right Now! 

Do you think you may be experiencing a dental emergency? Get in touch with the team at Southington Dentistry right now and tell them about your problem. Together, we can determine if you need to come in for a same-day appointment or if you can wait until regular office hours. 

You can schedule an appointment 24/7 online or call us directly at (860) 628-5029.