Urgent vs Non-urgent: What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?

In a single year, there were over two million dental-related emergency department visits. About 5% resulted in admission to the hospital.

If you're facing a dental emergency, you need to visit your dentist in Cleveland, TN right away. 

What's the difference between an urgent vs non-urgent emergency? Read on to find out.

Knowing how to spot an emergency can ensure you find a dentist before complications occur. It could even save a tooth.

An Urgent Dental Emergency

What is a dental emergency?

Any situation that causes severe dental pain is considered an emergency. Request immediate dental services from your Cleveland dentist if you have one of the following:

• Loose tooth
• Severe toothache
• Cracked or chipped tooth
• Broken tooth
• Large piece of tooth missing
• Dental abscess
• Knocked-out tooth

For example, an oro-dental trauma occurs due to an injury to the mouth, oral cavity, or teeth. About one billion people are affected by oro-dental trauma.

Without treatment, you could develop complications and notice a change in your quality of life. 

What to Do

Quick thinking during a dental emergency could save your tooth. Otherwise, you might require expensive dental restoration. In some situations, your dentist will need to extract your tooth.

Seek treatment as soon as possible if you're in extreme pain or discomfort.

Here are a few emergencies that indicate you need to seek treatment right away. 

If you have a toothache, try swishing warm water in your mouth or flossing. Having food caught between your teeth could cause your toothache.

If the pain doesn't subside, visit your Cleveland dentist right away.

For a gum abscess, schedule an appointment to have your dentist safely drain it. It won't go away on its own. Don't pop it the way you would a pimple. 

Visit your emergency dentist for a loose tooth. Your tooth could become loose due to bone loss or receding gums. You might have gingivitis.

Find an emergency dentist immediately if you knock a tooth out.

Make sure to pick it up by the crown, not the root. Rinse it and wrap it in gauze before submerging it in milk. 

A Non-Urgent Emergency

Non-urgent dental emergencies don't require immediate treatment. These situations include:

• Dull toothaches
• Food lodged between teeth
• Lost fillings or crowns
• A small chip or crack

These situations won't compromise your oral health. If you're concerned, call your dentist in Cleveland, TN. They can provide you with instructions, such as home remedies for toothaches.

Otherwise, schedule an appointment to visit your Cleveland dentist. Make sure to schedule appointments every six months. They can assess your oral health to help you avoid serious issues. 

Visit a Dentist in Cleveland, TN Today

If you believe you're facing a dental emergency, don't hesitate to seek help. Visit your local dentist in Cleveland, TN today. Seeking immediate treatment can help you avoid complications.

Our emergency dentist has experience with a range of situations. We're here to help.

Contact us right away the next time you're facing an emergency.