Oral Health: What Is Considered a Dental Emergency? Teeth Avulsions, Dental Trauma, Bleeding Gums, and More
If you experience a dental emergency after a fall, accident, or other dental trauma, don’t wait to seek immediate treatment from a dental professional. An experienced emergency dentist can prevent the situation from worsening, and repair the damage before it has long-term effects on your oral health.
To help you restore and maintain a healthy smile, our team shares what to do after a dental emergency, where to seek urgent care, and tips on how to prevent future problems.
What Are Common Dental Emergencies and Their Causes?
A dental emergency is any dental issue that requires urgent treatment. Depending on the type of emergency situation, a dentist can provide immediate pain relief, and put together a treatment plan to get your dental health back on track.
Here are the most common dental emergencies patients experience, and what can lead to these serious issues:
Knocked-out teeth: Avulsed or knocked-out teeth can happen when there is a hard blow or impact to the face. Falls, car wrecks, and accidents during contact sports can cause teeth to be knocked out from their sockets.
Loose teeth: Similar to avulsed teeth, partially dislodged teeth often become loose due to facial trauma or forceful impact. However, poor dental health and advanced gum disease can also cause teeth to loosen.
Cracked or broken teeth: Teeth can become chipped or fractured after falling unexpectedly and hitting the ground or another hard surface. Tripping over an object, bike or motorcycle accidents, contact sports collisions, or slip and falls are common causes of broken teeth. Teeth grinding and chewing on hard things can also cause chips and breaks.
Bleeding or swollen gums: Bleeding gums and other gum tissue damage are typically related to gum disease. The tissue can become sensitive and inflamed when bacteria and plaque build up underneath the gum line. Physical trauma can also cause swelling or bleeding.
Severe toothache: While not all toothaches are a dental emergency, severe or worsening pain could be a sign of an infection, tooth abscess, or other major issue that needs immediate attention.
Damaged braces: Traditional braces have metal brackets and wires that help align the teeth. A broken archwire could cause injuries and irritation in the mouth, while detached brackets pose a choking risk. Without repairs, you could also prolong your treatment time.
Broken or missing dental restorations: Broken or detached tooth fillings, dental crowns, or dental bridges could leave your teeth unprotected and more prone to damage that requires costly or invasive treatments.
Other urgent dental issues: An emergency dentist can also help with other sudden dental problems, such as soft tissue damage in the mouth, jaw injuries, exposed nerves, or food lodged in the gums or between the teeth.
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How Do You Treat Dental Emergencies?
Treatment for dental emergencies will depend on the issue and its severity. For example, an avulsed tooth may be reattached if it is still intact and not too much time has passed. After an exam and assessing your symptoms, your dentist will put together a treatment plan that may include:
Reinserting or stabilizing a tooth that has detached or become loose.
Replacing broken or damaged dental restorations or braces.
A root canal or tooth extraction to remove decayed or infected teeth.
Prescription antibiotics to treat infections.
Emergency oral surgery to treat urgent injuries.
After the immediate issue is addressed, you may need additional procedures to fully restore your smile. Your dentist may also recommend cosmetic treatments that can improve appearance and function, including dental bridges or dental implants in Las Vegas.
We Accept Most Dental Insurance
Absolute Dental is a preferred provider for most insurances, unions, and hotels that include: Aetna, Ameritas, Boon-Chapman, Caesars Palace, Cigna, Delta Dental, Diversified, Geha, Guardian, Harrah’s, HealthSCOPE Benefits, Health Plan of Nevada (HPN), Humana, Liberty, Met-Life, MGM-MIRAGE, Premier Access, The Standard, Station Casinos, Teachers Health Trust, United Concordia, United Healthcare, Venetian, and The Zenith. We also accept Medicaid.
If you do not see your dental insurance listed here, just give us a call to confirm!
What Should You Do If You Have a Dental Emergency?
A sudden dental emergency can be a startling and painful experience. However, there are things you can do to minimize your risk of complications and relieve pain until you can see your dentist.
While seeking emergency dental care should be your top priority, it’s not always possible to go right away. Here are a few things you can do before your treatment.
Avulsed Teeth
If a tooth is knocked out, you must act quickly if you want to save the tooth and have an emergency dentist replant it. According to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), you should follow these steps:
Do not touch the tooth’s root. Only pick it up by the tooth’s chewing surface and handle it carefully.
Gently rinse the tooth with clean water.
If possible, reposition the tooth in its socket, and close your mouth slowly to hold it in place.
When you cannot put the tooth in its socket, you can keep the tooth between your cheek and gums to keep it moist. Otherwise, put the tooth in a glass of milk.
See an emergency dental specialist within 30 minutes to one hour for the best chance of reattaching the tooth.
Cracked or Broken Teeth
A chipped or broken tooth can expose sensitive nerves inside the tooth, causing pain and swelling. If this happens to you, rinse your mouth with warm water to remove food particles that may cause irritation. Apply a cold compress to the area, and take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed.
Bleeding or Swollen Gums
If you have swollen or bleeding gums, avoid touching or irritating them further. You can try a warm saltwater rinse and a cold compress to help with inflammation before seeing your dentist. Also, focus on good oral health and hygiene to reduce the bacterial buildup.
Severe Toothache
A sudden or worsening toothache could be a sign that you have developed an infection or another dental problem. You should call your dentist right away to schedule an emergency appointment, or ask about walk-ins for immediate treatment.
In the meantime, apply a cold compress to the side of your face where you’re experiencing pain. You can also take over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to reduce your discomfort.
Broken Braces or Dental Restorations
Don’t ignore broken or damaged dental restorations or orthodontic gear. If you contact an emergency dentist for guidance on how to proceed, they may recommend:
Keeping the affected area clean
Rinsing with water to clear debris or attachments
Covering the exposed tooth with dental wax
Avoiding chewing on the affected side of the mouth
Manage discomfort or sensitivity with pain relievers
Tips To Avoid a Dental Emergency
Although not all dental emergencies are avoidable, there are things you can do to lower your risk of experiencing an urgent dental issue. Follow these tips to protect your smile:
Maintain good oral hygiene to keep teeth strong
Visit your dentist every six months for an exam and cleaning
Wear a mouthguard if you participate in contact sports or other physical activities
Avoid chewing on hard objects or grinding your teeth
Discuss concerns or dental health changes with your dentist
Emergency Dental Care at Absolute Dental
If you have a Las Vegas dental emergency, Absolute Dental is ready to help. Our Nevada dentists have the skills and resources to provide urgent dental care for patients of all ages. Call (844) 8-SMILE-NOW to find a location near you that can see you right away.
At Absolute Dental, we’re proud to provide comprehensive dental care to families across Las Vegas. Whether you’re in need of teeth cleaning, cosmetic dentistry, braces, or pediatric dental care, we’ve got you covered. From general care to emergency dental services, we’re here to help you and your loved ones maintain healthy, beautiful smiles, with convenient locations in your neighborhood.
A dental emergency is any dental health issue that requires immediate treatment to prevent complications. Without urgent attention, the situation could escalate and significantly impact a person’s oral health and well-being.
Dental trauma refers to an oral injury caused by an impact or force to the teeth or mouth. Common causes of dental trauma include sports-related accidents, falls, and motor vehicle crashes.
While gums may bleed occasionally when brushing or flossing, it is not normal for gums to bleed every day, or for it to be difficult to stop. If this happens, you may have a dental emergency and should contact your dentist as soon as possible.
If you have a dental emergency, Absolute Dental has several locations throughout Nevada that can provide urgent treatment. We offer affordable care with special offers and discounts through our Smile Saver program. Contact us at (844) 8-SMILE-NOW to find a dental office near you that is taking walk-ins.
