Suffering from Tooth Pain? Get Relief with Emergency Dentistry

Experiencing a dental emergency can be frightening and painful. If you live in St. George, Utah, and the surrounding cities of Washington City, Kanab, Irvines, and Santa Clara, our dentists at Gateway Oral Health Center offer emergency dental care. 

When a dental emergency occurs, it’s crucial to get help immediately because it can save your tooth. In some cases, dental emergencies can create serious health problems. The question is, what constitutes a dental emergency? Let’s dive in and learn how to know if your concern is an emergency or can wait until the next day. 

Common Dental Emergencies

While some dental emergencies present as severe pain, not all are painful. If a tooth is at risk, it’s a dental emergency, even if the affected tooth is not causing pain. In this case, you still need emergency dental care. 

The following issues are all considered to be dental emergencies that need immediate attention:

• Severe pain in the mouth or jaw
• Abscessed tooth or serious infection that can lead to life-threatening conditions
• Blood coming from a tooth or your gums
• One or more loose teeth
• Sudden extreme tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages
• Painful swelling or inflammation
• Jaw injuries
• Toothaches that cause a swollen jaw or face

If you’re experiencing any of these issues, contact your dentist right away for immediate care. 

Dental Issues That Are Not Emergencies

Some issues may be aggravating, but they’re not necessarily emergencies. In these instances, you can wait until the next day to go to the dentist. These include:

• Broken dental crowns
• Mild toothaches that can be relieved with over-the-counter pain relievers
• Broken or cracked teeth that aren’t causing pain
• Lost mouthguard or retainer
• Dental filling loss
• Chipped teeth
• Food stuck between teeth

While these issues aren’t emergencies, they still need care, so schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

What to Do When You Have a Dental Emergency

How do you know what to do when you have a dental emergency? Follow these steps to get the care you need:

1. Call Dr. Bryce Eagar‘s office. If they can’t give you the care you need right away, they will refer you to a dentist who can help
2. Remember that an abscessed tooth may be life-threatening. In this case, go to the emergency room if you can’t get an immediate appointment with your dentist
3. If a tooth falls out or is knocked out, try to keep it in the empty socket if possible. Use moistened gauze to hold it in place. Another option is to put the tooth in a glass of milk to preserve it until you can get to the dentist

Emergency Dentist Near Me

If you have a dental emergency, you need the assistance of an emergency dental team. 

Gateway Oral Health Center in St. George, Utah, is here to help. Call us at (435) 656-0255 today. We are open to both returning and new patients.