Maybe it's a normal workday, and suddenly, you experience a sharp pain in your tooth. Or perhaps you were playing catch with your kids and accidentally caught an elbow to the mouth, leaving one of your teeth broken. If you've experienced dental issues that have you worried about the next steps, it's important to determine whether or not you need emergency dental care.

There are common signs that you should look out for when it comes to that emergency but until then, it's also important to know what is not considered an emergency.

Common Emergency Dental Care Cases to Look Out For

Whether it was a quick fall or a wiggly tooth, it's normal to have concerns about the state of your oral health. Here are some emergency dental care cases that you should be aware of:

• Extreme or sharp pain: If you are experiencing extreme pain, this could be a potential emergency.

• Broken tooth: A broken tooth can cause bleeding and intense discomfort.

• Infection: An infected tooth can be very dangerous, so it's important to seek emergency care if you suspect an infection.

• Continual bleeding: Bleeding that does not stop could be a sign of an emergency.

• Jaw Injury: If you sustain an injury to the jaw, you should seek emergency care.

What is Not Considered a Dental Emergency?

While it's important to stay aware of emergency dental cases, it's also necessary to know what is not considered an emergency so you can breathe that sigh of relief. Here are some examples of issues that are not emergency cases:

• Chipped tooth: A chipped tooth is usually not an emergency, but it should still be looked at.

• Dull pain: Dull or lingering pain may not necessarily call for emergency care.

• Broken retainer: Unless the retainer breaks and causes discomfort, it's not an emergency.

What to Do if a Tooth is Knocked Out?

If you experience a tooth being knocked out, there are immediate steps that need to be taken to get your smile back again:

1. Rinse off the tooth, but do not scrub or handle it too much as this can damage the root.

2. Try to put it back in its socket and hold it there.

3. If 2 isn't possible, you can put the tooth in a glass of milk and call your emergency dentist right away.

What to Do in an Emergency?

If those cases when emergency dental care is needed apply to you, you may be wondering where to go from there. The first thing you should do is call your emergency dentist first and have them assess the situation. If emergency medical attention is needed, seek help from a hospital emergency room.

In any case, emergency care should be sought immediately to avoid further complications. It can be scary if you experience any of those dental cases, but with the right approach and emergency care, you'll be on your way to happily smiling in no time.

Receive Top of the Line Emergency Dental Care at North Pole Dental

At North Pole Dental, we pride ourselves on providing emergency dental care services that you can trust. Our team of experienced emergency dentists will make sure that your emergency is taken care of quickly and efficiently so you don't have to worry about it any longer.

Contact us today for more information or to schedule an emergency appointment! We look forward to helping you get back to a healthy and happy smile.