Knowing what qualifies as a real can make all the difference when you’re in pain or unsure about what to do. While some oral health issues can wait a day or two, others require immediate dental care from our Brighton, MI, emergency dentists to prevent serious complications. Whether it’s a knocked-out tooth, a severe infection, or unbearable pain, recognizing the can save your smile, and even your health.
Here are 7 situations that absolutely call for urgent dental care.
A knocked-out tooth isn’t just a cosmetic issue, it’s a full-blown dental emergency. The clock starts ticking the moment the tooth leaves the socket. Acting fast (ideally being seen within 30 minutes) is the key to increasing the chances of saving it.
If this happens, pick the tooth up by the crown or top, gently rinse it with water (do not scrub), and try to place it back in the socket. If that’s not possible, store the tooth in milk or tuck it inside your cheek and get to our local emergency dentists immediately. Knowing what to do for a knocked-out tooth can mean the difference between saving it or needing tooth replacement later.
A dull ache that comes and goes might be manageable for a day, but a severe, constant, or throbbing pain is a red flag. It can be caused by decay, an abscess, or even a fracture.
Toothache relief isn’t just about pain management, it’s about addressing the root cause.
When left untreated, what seems like a minor issue can escalate into a major infection, possibly requiring an emergency root canal. If pain keeps you awake, disrupts your day, or radiates to your jaw or ear, it’s time to seek out emergency dental services inside our Brighton, MI, dental office.
Not every chipped tooth is an emergency, but deep cracks or breakage that exposes the inner pulp definitely are. These injuries can lead to infection, nerve damage, and serious pain if not treated quickly.
Treating a cracked tooth early can save you from needing more invasive procedures later. If the crack is painful, causing sensitivity, or visibly severe, contact our office for emergency dental treatment right away.
Swelling, especially if it spreads to the face or neck, is often a sign of infection. This could be related to a dental abscess, impacted tooth, or gum disease. In extreme cases, untreated infections can become life-threatening.
If you notice swelling along with fever, difficulty swallowing, or a bad taste in your mouth, you need urgent dental care. Seeing a dentist for a tooth infection as soon as symptoms appear helps avoid more serious medical complications.
Losing a filling, crown, or bridge can leave a tooth exposed and vulnerable to bacteria, heat, and pressure. While this might not always cause pain, it can quickly lead to decay or structural damage.
If you’ve lost a restoration and the tooth underneath feels sensitive or painful, don’t wait. Our dentists can work quickly to seal and protect the area. As mentioned above, waiting too long increases the risk of needing more extensive dental care.
A little bleeding from the gums can happen with aggressive brushing or flossing. But if your mouth is bleeding heavily or won’t stop after dental trauma, that’s serious.
Continuous bleeding can indicate a deep laceration, gum disease, or other underlying issues. Any uncontrolled oral bleeding requires immediate dental care, especially if it’s paired with pain or swelling. Don’t try to “tough it out”; get it checked.
An impact to the jaw, whether from sports, an accident, or a fall, isn’t something to brush off. Even if the teeth appear intact, damage to the jawbone, ligaments, or surrounding tissues may not be immediately visible.
If you have difficulty opening or closing your mouth, misaligned bite, or hear a clicking sound when chewing, you may be dealing with a dental injury. Treating dental emergencies like this early can prevent long-term issues with your bite or alignment.
If you’re unsure about dental pain, our , can guide you on whether you need treatment in short order or if it’s safe to set up a regular visit in a day or two. Either way, don’t ignore the signs. Fast action keeps small problems from becoming big ones. Call Schaefer Dental Group today at (810) 229-2126 or for less urgent situations, request an appointment online.