4 Signs You Need Emergency Dentistry Now

Like most emergencies, dental emergencies strike when you least expect them. Some dental issues can wait for a regular appointment, but others require immediate attention and treatment to relieve your pain and prevent permanent damage to your teeth and/or mouth.

At Smile Design Manhattan in New York City, our expert team has extensive training in emergency dental care, and we stand ready to serve you at a moment’s notice.

If you’re unsure whether you should seek help right away, here are four signs that indicate you need emergency dentistry now.

1. Severe pain

Intense tooth pain is the most common reason people seek emergency dental care. Pain that’s sharp, throbbing, and persistent could signal a problem such as an abscess, a fractured root, or severe, advanced decay. 

Problems like these typically don’t get better on their own, and they can lead to severe infections. If you’re feeling this kind of pain, call us. The pain means something is wrong, so don’t ignore it.

2. A knocked-out tooth

If a traumatic injury knocks out your tooth, time is of the essence if you hope to save it. To have the best chance, find the tooth and keep it moist (avoid touching the root) by using your saliva or placing it in milk. Get to a dentist within an hour.

If one of your teeth suddenly becomes loose and falls out with no trauma involved, that could indicate a severe infection.

3. A broken or cracked tooth

A small chip in the corner of your tooth isn’t an emergency, but a broken or cracked tooth that exposes a nerve or causes severe pain needs immediate treatment.

If left untreated for too long, infection and other damage could set in, and you could lose the tooth. Cover the area with dental wax or gauze until you can reach the dentist.

4. Excessive bleeding

Uncontrolled, persistent bleeding from the mouth is also a sign to seek help right away. Whether the bleeding is the result of an injury or you’re not sure what’s causing it, we can trace the source of the bleeding and stop it as quickly as possible.

Dental emergencies can be scary, but don’t make the situation worse by delaying treatment. Acting quickly can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth, with the added benefit of avoiding complicated, expensive treatment down the road.

If you need emergency dental care, call our Midtown office at 646-278-4579. For non-emergency situations, use our online booking tool to schedule your appointment.