Emergency Tooth Extraction
Feeling like you need your tooth extracted immediately can be scary. If you think you need an emergency tooth extraction, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to determine whether your issue is an emergency and things you may be able to do to keep your painful concerns managed until you’re able to see an emergency dentist. If you are having a true emergency, a visit to the emergency room might be necessary; medical doctors can treat concerns like pain and bleeding and help manage emergencies until a dentist can see you. While emergency dentists are available on short notice, they’re not open at midnight, for example, and no one can control when an emergency might occur.
If you feel discomfort in a tooth or teeth, it’s not necessarily an emergency. Even manageable pain isn’t always a sign of an emergency, though you should certainly schedule an appointment with your dentist if there’s something amiss with one or more of your teeth. While most cases of tooth pain don’t require emergency tooth extraction, pay attention to your symptoms so you can determine whether your situation is an emergency or can wait a few days to be addressed. If you’re experiencing bleeding from a tooth and the bleeding is consistent or profuse, an emergency tooth extraction might be in order. If you’ve sustained a blow to your face and your tooth has been knocked loose or knocked out, this is also an emergency.
Even if the tooth has fallen completely out and you don’t think it can be saved, you should still see an emergency dentist or medical provider. If you can get to the emergency dentist soon enough, you may be able to save the original tooth. If you notice swelling in your jaw, if your jaw has been injured, or if you have a toothache that is severe, these could also be signs of an emergency that might require tooth extraction and should be addressed as soon as possible.
Non-emergency situations include lost fillings, crowns, or bridges. While it can be uncomfortable when one of these dental restorations falls out, it’s not an emergency, though you should schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can. In many cases, cracked or broken teeth can also wait, though these problems can be painful; if pain is severe, it can be considered an emergency.
If you’re trying to address discomfort while you determine whether your situation is an emergency, over-the-counter pain medication might help. It can also help to rinse the mouth with warm saltwater, which reduces swelling and can relieve irritation. If your tooth has been knocked out, don’t handle the tooth by its root, and rinse it carefully in water.
Try to place it in its socket and keep it there until you get to the dentist. If this isn’t an option, put the tooth in a glass of milk and take it to the emergency dentist with you. Flossing the teeth can also help relieve discomfort, which could just be a sign that there’s something stuck between the teeth or in the gum tissue. Cold compresses can help reduce pain and swelling and stop bleeding, and diluted hydrogen peroxide mouthwash can also help alleviate irritation and eliminate harmful bacteria in the oral cavity.
