Can My Oral Health Concern Wait, or Do I Need Emergency Dentistry?

If you wake up with a toothache or chip a tooth while playing sports, it’s normal to wonder if you should visit the dentist right away or wait to see if it improves. This blog breaks it down clearly, so you know the difference.

Have you ever bitten down on something hard and chipped or cracked your tooth? This is a situation almost everyone can relate to, but if it happens in the evening or while you’re vacationing, you may wonder whether you should see a dentist immediately or wait until another time.

In certain situations, waiting too long can further damage your teeth and increase the risk of other oral health problems, so it’s important to know what counts as a dental emergency and what doesn’t.

Nikhil Lavana, DMD, Archana Kharkanis-Lavana, DMD, and our team at Family Dental Group in Gardner, Northborough, and Paxton, Massachusetts, provide emergency dentistry to patients of all ages. Read on to learn the difference between dental emergencies and issues that can wait, and how to manage minor dental concerns at home.

What types of issues are considered dental emergencies?

A dental emergency is an injury or oral health issue that requires immediate care. If you or a family member experiences one, visiting your dentist as soon as possible is essential to preserving your smile. Waiting too long may lead to tooth loss or extensive repairs.

Common dental emergencies we treat include:

Severe toothaches that don’t improve with over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication
Oral bleeding that won’t stop
Knocked-out, broken, or severely damaged teeth
Face or jaw swelling that’s painful or affects biting or chewing

Sometimes, it’s hard to know if your situation is an emergency. If you’re unsure, call us. We can assess your symptoms and determine whether you need immediate care or can wait.

Dental issues that don’t require emergency treatment

Some dental issues don’t require emergency treatment. These problems still need professional treatment, but they can wait, especially if they happen at night or while you're away.

Non-emergency issues include mild tooth sensitivity, chipped teeth that aren’t painful, and damaged dental restorations. If any of these arise, monitor your symptoms daily and contact us as soon as possible. We can usually see patients within a few days and often, sooner.

How to manage dental concerns at home

Even minor dental issues can be uncomfortable and make eating or speaking challenging. The good news is you can take steps to manage them at home until you’re able to see our team.

For example, if you have a mild toothache, take over-the-counter pain medication or chew on the other side of your mouth. If your teeth are sensitive, avoid extremely hot and cold foods that can worsen symptoms. At the same time, keep the affected area clean and free of infection. Brush and floss as you usually would, and use a saltwater rinse to reduce inflammation and bacteria.

These aren’t substitutes for professional care, but they can help keep your mouth comfortable until your visit.

Don’t wait to schedule emergency dentistry

Whether you’ve been hit in the mouth and lost a tooth or have a dental crown that’s finally worn out, emergency dentistry can address the issue promptly. We always make time for same-day emergency dental care and can prevent your symptoms from worsening.

If you have a dental emergency, call our nearest office, book your appointment online, or simply walk in today.