What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is a dental problem that needs immediate medical attention to relieve the pain, stop the bleeding, or save the tooth. The thing about dental emergencies is that they will often occur on a weekend, holiday, or in the middle of the night, and could lead to severe complications if left untreated.
- An acute toothache
- Broken or cracked tooth
- A dislodged or loosened permanent tooth
- Oral swelling
- A visible abscess in gum tissue
- Active oral infection
For example, a cracked or chipped tooth that does not hurt and can wait until your next visit to your dentist in a few days or weeks is not a dental emergency. But if the fracture is excruciatingly painful, or left sharp fragments that cause trouble with chewing or other activities, that is a dental emergency, and you need to see your Laurel Ridge emergency dentist right away.