Is Your Dental Pain An Emergency?

Sometimes dental problems can't wait for a scheduled appointment. If you experience dental trauma, severe toothache, or symptoms of an infection, the first step is to call a dentist or oral surgeon for help.

Symptoms that Indicate an Emergency

As always, if you have any doubt whether you are experiencing an emergency, call us for help.

Facial Trauma or Oral Bleeding

Call an oral surgeon immediately unless your symptoms are life-threatening, in which case you should proceed to the emergency room.

Badly Cracked or Broken Tooth

You may need an emergency root canal if your tooth has a significant crack or break. You could develop a severe infection or abscess if you do not receive prompt dental attention when the pulp chamber is exposed. 

Knocked-Out Tooth

If you have a knocked-out tooth, save it and bring it to the oral surgeon. Handle the tooth only by the crown, never by the roots. Rinse it gently and replace it in the socket if possible. Otherwise, carry it in a small cup of saliva or milk. The oral surgeon will return the tooth and splint it to neighboring teeth for stability while it replants.

Dislodged Tooth

If your tooth becomes dislodged or partially knocked out, visit us immediately.

Severe Toothache

If you have symptoms of a severe toothache, see us as soon as possible.

Dental Abscess

If you have a swelling or pimple-like area on your gums, which may or may not cause severe pain, you may have a dental abscess which is an emergency. Visit us as soon as possible.

Situations that are Not Emergencies

These problems can likely wait for an appointment during regular business hours:

• Minor Crack or Chip in Tooth: If the tooth structure is not involved, you can wait for your dentist to fix it until the next business day.
• Minor Toothache: If your toothache responds well to home comfort measures like warm or cold compresses or over-the-counter medication, you can probably wait for a weekday appointment.
• Lost or Broken Restoration: Unless your lost or broken crown or filling is causing severe pain, this situation can wait for your dentist's regular business hours.

When to Go to the Emergency Room First

If you have broken facial bones, severe bleeding that will not stop, a significant soft tissue injury, or symptoms of fever and chills, your best course of action is to visit the emergency room. After you are medically stable, you can visit your dentist or oral surgeon for treatment.

Call Braasch Oral Surgery

Dental emergencies can be frightening to experience. We want to help you by easing your pain and restoring your normal tooth function.

If you need emergency treatment for a serious dental issue, please call our Bedford, NH, oral surgery office at 603-657-1984. We can see you promptly and resolve your issue while preserving your oral health.