3 Things That Qualify As A Dental Emergency

The knowledge that there are dentists available for dental emergencies can bring you a great deal of comfort. You know that no matter what time of day or night an emergency may arise, there is a dentist that you can get into, and receive the care that you need. However, one thing that people sometimes question is what is actually considered a dental emergency. Something may be concerning to you, but this doesn't necessarily qualify it as an emergency. If you are unsure, then it is still a good idea to call the emergency dentist and ask. However, there are certain things that most definitely qualify as an emergency. Here are three things that qualify as a dental emergency. 

Knocked Out Tooth

If your tooth is completely knocked out of the socket that it is in, then it is very important that you get into an emergency dentist as soon as possible. In this kind of situation, time is of the essence because the tooth may still be saved if it is reattached fast enough. A great way to bide your time until you get to the dentist is to keep the tooth moist, and press it back into the socket that it was in, if at all possible. Depending on the way the tooth was ripped out and the condition of the roots, the emergency dentist may be able to put your tooth back into place.

Excessive Bleeding In Your Mouth 

Bleeding in your mouth when you lose a tooth, bite your cheek, bite your tongue, etc., is common. However, if the bleeding is excessive and you simply can't get it to stop, no matter how much pressure you apply, then you need to see the emergency dentist as soon as possible. Depending on the cause of the bleeding, you may need to visit the ER for further care. The loss of blood is nothing to mess around with and should be taken seriously. 

You Think Your Jaw Is Broken

If you think your jaw is broken, then your first stop should be to the emergency dentist to see if your jaw is in fact broken or if the pain is coming from something else, such as an infection or dislocation of some sort. Your emergency dentist will take you very seriously because a broken jaw can lead to difficulty breathing, bleeding, airway blockages, and more. If it is in fact broken, then icing it and going to the ER is likely what your emergency dentist will recommend. 

Knowing what qualifies as a dental emergency can sometimes leave you unsure. However, a knocked out tooth, excessive bleeding in your mouth, and a broken jaw are all emergencies that require immediate care from a dentist and require dental emergency services.