A Parent’s Guide to a Dental Emergency

School will be ending soon for the summer. We can almost imagine kids and parents celebrating the end of school days with sleeping in, pool days, and family vacations. While summer offers new activities and adventures, it also introduces greater risks, including dental injuries and emergencies.

As family dentists serving the Sachse and Murphy communities, we want to ensure that families in our community know what to do and how quickly to act when a dental emergency occurs.

What Is a Dental Emergency?

The American Dental Association (ADA) defines dental emergencies as situations that could be life-threatening and require prompt treatment to stop bleeding, treat infections, and relieve severe pain. However, not every dental emergency is life-threatening. A dental emergency can also involve problems with your teeth or supporting tissues that need prompt attention to prevent complications that could affect your health, function, or appearance.

So what are some of the leading causes of dental injuries and emergencies, and what do you do when a dental emergency happens?

Common Dental Emergencies

Dental Trauma

Traumatic dental emergencies result from direct or indirect impact on the teeth or other structures of the mouth. Dental trauma can occur from a fall, sports injury, traffic accident, or physical violence. If dental trauma is not properly cared for, it can leave the area susceptible to bacterial invasion and lead to a dental infection.

Dental Infections

Dental infections in the early stages are localized and treatable. However, if proper dental treatment is not sought, the infection can spread throughout the face and neck, causing more serious and potentially life-threatening infections. 

Almost all dental infections begin as cavities. Dental cavities are highly preventable and treatable; however, they are extremely common, affecting nearly 100% of adults worldwide.

Post-Procedure Dental Emergencies

The most common post-procedure emergency in dental practice is post-extraction bleeding that persists for more than 8 to 12 hours. If you experience bleeding after a dental procedure, contact your dental care team for proper treatment. Lack of or inappropriate treatment may lead to more serious complications, including a large intraoral hematoma, severe blood loss, and, in some cases, compromise of a patient’s airway.

Many of these injuries result from lifestyle habits, medications, poor hygiene, hereditary conditions, or diseases, rather than summer activities. Most of these injuries also present with pain or swelling as the main symptoms.

If you are experiencing any pain, swelling, or discomfort in your teeth or gums, our dentists recommend booking an appointment as soon as possible. While it may not seem like a dental emergency, dental injuries may continue to deteriorate into an emergency (and may even spread) if not treated as soon as possible.

What should you do in a dental emergency?

If you or your child thinks you may have dental trauma or a dental emergency, you should call your dentist immediately. If the emergency or injury happens in the evening or on weekends, you should call an emergency dentist right away. Some dental injuries require immediate treatment in order to save your tooth. 

How do you know if you have a regular dental injury that can wait for a regular exam or if you’re experiencing a dental emergency and need to see a dentist immediately? 

The following symptoms are a clear indication that you should visit a dentist immediately:

• Severe pain combined with bleeding
• Tooth loss or a large chip
• Loose teeth
• Swelling in your gums, face, or neck

If you or your family member is experiencing any of the above symptoms, please call an emergency dentist or call us immediately.

As your dental team in the Sachse and Murphy area, we want to offer one last recommendation: trust your parental instincts. If your child does not seem to exhibit the above indicators but you are worried about the possibility of dental trauma or injury, give us a call.

Children are life’s most precious treasures, so it’s always important to listen to their concerns and prioritize their health.