Emergency Dental Work: When Do I Call?

Dental emergencies can be unsettling, but knowing when to call a professional can make all the difference in saving a tooth or relieving pain. Here, we give you quick tips to help you know when to reach out.

At least 2 million Americans experience dental crises that send them to emergency care annually. When dental emergencies hit, our experienced team at Tenth Street Family Dental has you covered.

In our Indianapolis, Indiana, office, we have state-of-the-art technology to quickly evaluate your needs and treat the problem. Our goal is getting our patients out of pain and back to their day as quickly as possible.

But, many patients tell us that they just aren’t sure when to call our office for help. We created today’s blog to delve into that topic and help make it easier for you to take action when needed.

How to identify a true dental emergency

Not all dental discomforts are emergencies, but some situations need immediate care to prevent further damage. Some of the situations in which we recommend calling our office ASAP are:

Severe tooth pain

Severe tooth pain is always an emergency. It can indicate many different problems, including tooth infections, that may worsen dramatically if you don’t seek help promptly.

Bleeding

A little bit of tooth bleeding is normal after certain dental procedures, such as wisdom tooth extraction. But, if you have bleeding that won’t stop, it’s time to reach out for help.

Knocked-out tooth

Many people don’t realize that a knocked-out tooth is often savable. But, you have to take action fast. The ideal time window to seek help is within 30 minutes, but it might be possible to reimplant your tooth even after an hour or more. The general rule is the faster, the better when calling our office with a knocked-out tooth.

Broken or cracked tooth

A broken or cracked tooth is vulnerable to bacteria and infections. It can also cause severe pain because it exposes sensitive tissue within your tooth. Don’t wait for it to get worse— contact us immediately.

Severe swelling

Swelling in the face or gums could represent an infection or even an abscess (a pus-filled pocket caused by a severe infection). In this situation, you need emergency care to address the underlying issue and reduce the swelling.

Even though these are some of the most common dental emergencies, other situations may also qualify. If you’re ever unsure, give us a call, and we’ll help you determine the best course of action.

Your dental emergency experts in Indianapolis

At Tenth Street Dental, we’re proud to be known as leading emergency dentistry specialists. We understand that dental emergencies can be stressful, so our team is here to provide the prompt, compassionate care you need to protect your smile and ease your discomfort.

If you’re facing a dental emergency, don’t wait — call us today at 317-358-8885 or reach out online now.