Common Dental Emergencies and How Your San Diego Dentist Can Help
ooth pain can hit hard and fast in Dental emergencies. According to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, more than 2 million emergency department visits in 2018 involved dental conditions.
Many of these visits are driven by pain that started as a minor annoyance days earlier. A cracked tooth or a minor ache can quickly turn into a painful infection that seriously harms your oral health. So, it’s important to recognize when you need dental emergency care in San Diego.
What's Classed as a Dental Emergency?
Not all dental issues are classified as dental emergencies, but if your dental health situation involves any of the following, your situation probably counts as a dental emergency.
- Intense pain: Severe, persistent pain that disrupts eating or sleep.
- Bleeding: Uncontrolled bleeding from gums or after an injury.
- Swelling: Facial or gum swelling suggesting infection or abscess.
- Trauma affecting function: Broken, cracked, or knocked-out tooth that impairs biting, chewing, or speaking.
What Are Examples of Dental Emergencies?
A severe or persistent toothache, characterized by a deep throbbing pain that worsens when pressure is applied to the painful area, is a good indicator of a problem or infection. In both cases, you need to seek urgent dental treatment.
Another common emergency is broken or cracked teeth. If the inner tooth layers are exposed, it can make your teeth incredibly sensitive. It doesn’t just feel horrible; there’s also a significant infection risk.
When your teeth are broken or cracked, you should avoid chewing on that area as much as possible and seek emergency evaluation as soon as possible.
If a restoration is in the affected tooth, you should keep an eye out for any signs of a filling coming out.
Sometimes, trauma to a tooth is so severe that there’s not just a chip or crack; the entire tooth is knocked out. Such a situation is incredibly time-sensitive. If you act quickly enough, you might be able to save the tooth.
You can improve your chances by keeping the tooth moist in milk or, where possible, reinserting it into the gum socket. Your gums may also bleed and feel very painful.
The pain only gets worse, so it’s best to go to an emergency dentist as soon as possible. If you’re still bleeding badly from your gums after 15 minutes, it could be a severe medical emergency, and you need to contact emergency services.
Such injuries can also cause infections that can lead to noticeable swelling near the jaw or under the eyes. Swelling suggests that there’s an abscess that’s spreading.
Left unattended, infections can spread quickly and affect your breathing and vision. It’s best to consult with a medical professional as soon as possible.
Problems That Can Wait
So what problems can wait? Small chips in the teeth, minor sensitivity, and lost fillings are common dental issues that can sometimes wait. But sometimes these issues spiral into something serious.
If pain or swelling starts getting worse, you should always call your dentist immediately.
What Is a Red Flag for a Dental Infection?
So what are the red flags to look out for to tell if you have a dental infection? A small cavity or a problem with your gums can quickly become infected. Swelling of the gums that worsens over the course of a few hours can indicate a rapidly spreading infection that needs emergency treatment.
If you notice pus or yellow discharge near the gum line, it suggests there’s an abscess growing that has substantial bacterial buildup. If any of these symptoms are accompanied by fever or fatigue, it could mean that the infection is spreading, affecting the entire body.
If you’re having difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing, it could signal a severe infection, and you should seek immediate evaluation.
Unfortunately, an infection in your mouth will not only be painful but also cause a foul taste. You might experience a persistent metallic flavor that returns even after you rinse.
This suggests an infected area that’s constantly draining. These kinds of infections can go beyond a dental emergency and become life-threatening if left untreated. For example, infections can spread from a tooth into surrounding tissue and even into your bloodstream if not treated.
Don’t gamble with your dental health; call a dental professional as soon as you suspect an infection.
How Fast Can a Tooth Infection Turn Serious?
A dental infection doesn’t always stay in your mouth. What starts as mild soreness or swelling can escalate within 24 to 48 hours if bacteria spread beyond the tooth.
Once that happens, the infection can travel to the jaw, face, or even the bloodstream, leading to a condition called sepsis, which can be life-threatening if ignored.
You need to watch for these red flags:
- Pain that intensifies despite over-the-counter medication
- Swelling under the jaw or around the eye
- Fever, chills, or fatigue
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking
If any of these occur, you need immediate medical attention, not just dental care. Hospital treatment may include antibiotics and, in some cases, surgical drainage to stop the infection from spreading further.
Even when symptoms seem to ease on their own, it doesn’t mean the infection is gone. Dental abscesses often form internal pockets of bacteria that flare up again later. The safest choice is to have the area evaluated and treated by a professional as soon as possible.
Same-day appointments are available at A+ Family Dentistry for anyone looking for an emergency dentist in San Diego.
Don’t risk developing a serious condition. According to the UK National Health Service, a dental abscess can spread to the jaw, neck, or body, cause fever, and in severe cases make swallowing or breathing difficult, which requires urgent care.
Taking fast action when pain or swelling appears is always the right call for Dental emergencies. Waiting even a day too long can mean the difference between a simple treatment and a serious medical emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Go to the Emergency Dentist or the ER?
Most dental problems can be handled by an emergency dentist, not a hospital. If the issue is limited to your mouth and you can breathe and swallow without trouble, call your dentist first.
They can stop bleeding, manage infections, and repair damage more effectively than the ER. But if your face is swelling fast, you’re struggling to breathe, or you can’t control bleeding after 15 minutes of pressure, head to the emergency room right away.
What Should I Do if a Tooth Is Knocked Out?
A knocked-out tooth is one of the most time-sensitive dental emergencies. Pick it up by the crown (the white part), never by the root. Rinse it gently with milk or saline, but don’t scrub it. Try to place it back in the socket and hold it there.
If you can’t, store it in milk or in your mouth against your cheek to keep it moist. Getting to the dentist within 30 to 60 minutes gives you the best chance of saving it.
According to the International Association of Dental Traumatology, immediate replantation or storage in milk or saline, along with receiving care within about 60 minutes, offers the best chance of saving an avulsed permanent tooth.
How Can I Handle the Pain Until I See a Dentist?
Simply put, you need to control the inflammation and protect the area until you’re seen. Focus on simple steps that calm the area and keep it clean. These measures buy time, but they do not fix the cause.
- Anti-inflammatory relief: Use ibuprofen as directed to reduce inflammation.
- Saltwater rinse: Rinse with warm saltwater to keep the area clean.
- Cold compress: Apply a cold compress to the cheek for swelling.
- Elevated rest: Rest with your head slightly raised.
How Do I Avoid Dental Emergencies in the First Place?
Most issues are preventable with consistent care and early fixes. Prevention starts with consistent home care. You need to make sure you maintain on-time checkups and follow dental advice. Use protection for sports and a night guard if you grind your teeth.
Act on small warning signs before they become urgent.
- Daily hygiene: Brush twice daily and floss once.
- Routine care: Keep cleanings and exams every six months.
- Protective gear: Wear a mouthguard for sports and a night guard if you grind your teeth at night.
- Early treatment: Repair small cracks or sensitivity early.
- Catching problems early keeps small repairs from turning into urgent visits.
Can I Wait to Fix a Cracked Filling or Loose Crown?
deally, you shouldn’t wait. Once the seal between your filling or crown and tooth breaks, bacteria start slipping in right away. Within days, decay can spread and irritate the nerve, turning a small repair into a root canal or extraction.
Acting quickly usually means saving the tooth.
Protect Your Health
DR. JUSTENE DOAN, DDS
General and Restorative Dentist
DR. JANICE DOAN, DDS
General and Cosmetic Dentist
DR. ROGER TRAN, DDS
General, Cosmetic & Restorative Dentist
If you are looking to become a patient of A+ Family Dentistry you can start by searching our website for a location closest to you. We provide patients with and pride ourselves on Advanced Dental Technology, General, Family & Emergency Dentistry, Comfortable, Caring Treatment, Flexible, Non-Insurance Payment Options, Three Convenient Office Locations, and Cost-Saving New Patient Specials. Find a location and take advantage of our new patient special of $165 Exam, X-Ray, and Cleaning for the insured and non insured.