A dental emergency can encompass a wide variety of situations. From injuries to severe toothaches, some problems require urgent treatment. The sooner a dental emergency is treated, the better the outcome will likely be. 

But how do you know what counts as a dental emergency? When do you seek professional treatment? Here’s a guide for patients in Bedford, NH and the surrounding area from the experts at Braasch OMS. 

How to Recognize an Emergency

The first step in any dental emergency is to assess the situation to determine if it is truly an emergency. Here’s what to look for: 

• Severe pain that persists even after taking over the counter pain medication
• Excessive bleeding that does not stop
• Loose or knocked out teeth
• Deep cut or laceration in soft tissue of the tongue, lip, or cheek 

In any of these situations, seek prompt treatment from a qualified dental professional. 

Signs of a Life-Threatening Emergency

A dental emergency can escalate to a serious emergency quickly. If the situation becomes life threatening, call 911 or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department. Here are the signs: 

• Significant blood loss
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness 

Examples of Common Dental Emergencies

The following are common situations that would be considered severe enough to seek emergency dental treatment:

• Infected tooth. A toothache or pain coming from a certain tooth often indicates an infection. 
• Broken tooth. If a large piece of tooth breaks off or the tooth splits in half, seek immediate treatment. A small chip can often wait until the next day. 
• Loose permanent tooth. A permanent tooth that becomes loose is a sign of a problem. Teeth may loosen due to trauma or advanced stage gum disease. 
• Knocked out tooth. A knocked out tooth can often be put back in place successfully with fast action. Either put the tooth back in the socket or store it in saliva or milk until you reach the dental office. 
• Soft tissue injury. A cut on the tongue, lip, cheek, or gums can require treatment if it is deep enough. If you’re not sure, contact a dental professional. 
• Jaw injury. A jaw injury can be serious, even resulting in a broken jaw. Seek treatment immediately to confirm or rule out a fracture. 

Treatment for Dental Emergencies 

• Root canal therapy. A tooth that is infected, broken, or damaged may need root canal therapy to treat the tooth from the inside. 
• Dental splints. Loose or knocked out teeth may need to be splinted to the other teeth for support while the support structures heal. 
• Dental crowns. A tooth that has been treated with a root canal will likely need a crown, especially in the case of a broken tooth. 
• Jaw surgery. A broken jaw will most likely need surgery to realign the bones and provide stability for proper healing. 

If in Doubt, Don’t Wait

If you’re not sure whether the situation is an emergency, call Braasch OMS at 603-657-1984 to speak to someone. After hours please leave a message and someone will contact you shortly. We will listen and ask some questions to assess the severity of the situation and make a recommendation for the best course of action. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Emergencies

Why contact an oral surgeon for a dental emergency?

Many dental emergencies require surgical treatment. Braasch OMS is equipped to provide the necessary treatment for dental emergencies of all kinds. 

How long can a tooth survive out of the socket?

It is best to reimplant a tooth within 30 minutes of the time it is knocked out. However, if kept moist in saliva, milk, or a tooth preservation kit, it may survive for up to an hour. This is why prompt treatment is key. 

Braasch OMS provides expert oral surgery services in a comfortable, state of the art facility. We put patients at ease by handling dental emergencies with calm and professional treatment. To learn more about us or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.

Sometimes dental problems can't wait for a scheduled appointment. If you experience dental trauma, severe toothache, or symptoms of an infection, the first step is to call a dentist or oral surgeon for help.

Symptoms that Indicate an Emergency

As always, if you have any doubt whether you are experiencing an emergency, call us for help.

Facial Trauma or Oral Bleeding

Call an oral surgeon immediately unless your symptoms are life-threatening, in which case you should proceed to the emergency room.

Badly Cracked or Broken Tooth

You may need an emergency root canal if your tooth has a significant crack or break. You could develop a severe infection or abscess if you do not receive prompt dental attention when the pulp chamber is exposed. 

Knocked-Out Tooth

If you have a knocked-out tooth, save it and bring it to the oral surgeon. Handle the tooth only by the crown, never by the roots. Rinse it gently and replace it in the socket if possible. Otherwise, carry it in a small cup of saliva or milk. The oral surgeon will return the tooth and splint it to neighboring teeth for stability while it replants.

Dislodged Tooth

If your tooth becomes dislodged or partially knocked out, visit us immediately.

Severe Toothache

If you have symptoms of a severe toothache, see us as soon as possible.

Dental Abscess

If you have a swelling or pimple-like area on your gums, which may or may not cause severe pain, you may have a dental abscess which is an emergency. Visit us as soon as possible.

Situations that are Not Emergencies

These problems can likely wait for an appointment during regular business hours:

• Minor Crack or Chip in Tooth: If the tooth structure is not involved, you can wait for your dentist to fix it until the next business day.
• Minor Toothache: If your toothache responds well to home comfort measures like warm or cold compresses or over-the-counter medication, you can probably wait for a weekday appointment.
• Lost or Broken Restoration: Unless your lost or broken crown or filling is causing severe pain, this situation can wait for your dentist's regular business hours.

When to Go to the Emergency Room First

If you have broken facial bones, severe bleeding that will not stop, a significant soft tissue injury, or symptoms of fever and chills, your best course of action is to visit the emergency room. After you are medically stable, you can visit your dentist or oral surgeon for treatment.

Call Braasch Oral Surgery

Dental emergencies can be frightening to experience. We want to help you by easing your pain and restoring your normal tooth function.

If you need emergency treatment for a serious dental issue, please call our Bedford, NH, oral surgery office at 603-657-1984. We can see you promptly and resolve your issue while preserving your oral health.