How to Know if You Need an Emergency Tooth Extraction

Many people are unsure if what they are experiencing requires emergency dental care in Denver. Often, they overlook the seriousness of the situation and choose to wait until the dentist becomes available. This will not be an issue if it's not a dental emergency. However, if it is, and you fail to recognize the problem's urgency, you are putting yourself at risk of serious complications.  

One example is the need for an extraction. Can it wait until regular office hours, or do you need to let your emergency dentist know about it?  

How to Determine if a Tooth Extraction Requires Emergency Dental Care

Tips to Determine if Its Urgent  

The discomfort may urge you to seek professional help. However, not every dental discomfort is considered an emergency. In fact, the majority of tooth pain cases do not require an emergency tooth extraction.  

Nevertheless, it’s critical to identify what constitutes a dental emergency since we also don’t want you to assume it’s okay to wait it out. There have been cases where patients waited too long to get help, which only exacerbated the problem.

An Emergency

• If the pain is associated with uncontrolled bleeding, you need an emergency tooth extraction.  
• When a permanent tooth feels loose or has been knocked out, it’s considered a dental emergency. If your tooth has been knocked out, you must get in touch with your dentist right away while your tooth is still viable. When you can get care within 30 minutes, there’s a big chance your dentist can still reattach your knocked-out tooth back to its socket.  

• An injury to your jaw that results in severe swelling and pain are signs requiring emergency dental care.  

You must contact your dentist immediately when any of these symptoms are present.  

A Non-Emergency

If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is probably a non-emergency, and you can wait until the dentist can schedule you for an appointment.

• It may be uncomfortable to experience lost fillings, bridges, and crowns, but these cases can typically wait and do not require emergency care.  
• A crack or a break in your tooth can also wait, but if it is accompanied by severe pain, you can notify your emergency dentist.  

• Even though dull toothache can feel uncomfortable, it can wait until your dentist returns. Meanwhile, you may take over-the-counter pain medications to ease discomfort and minimize swelling.  
• Large chunks of food debris stuck between your teeth can cause discomfort and pain, but it doesn’t mean you need emergency treatment. Most of the time, flossing the area can fix the problem.  
• Lost or damaged mouthguards and retainers are not emergency cases.  

What Should You Expect From Your Emergency Dentist?

As soon as you get to the dental office, your emergency dentist will look at your teeth to find out what’s happening. It’s possible to take X-rays for better visualization.  

If your dentist decides to go for an extraction, local anesthesia is administered to the site to number the area so that you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. Next, your dentist will pull your tooth out.  

After the procedure, you are given a set of aftercare instructions that may include taking antibiotics to prevent an infection. If additional work is needed, your dentist will give you a schedule for when to return.  

Do You Need Emergency Dental Care in Denver?

If you are convinced that your symptoms need emergency dental care, don’t hesitate to let us know.

At Central Family Dentistry, we’ll show you why we should be your new home for dentistry in Denver, Colorado. Our team uses the most advanced dental technology and up-to-date modern techniques to ensure that your treatment is smooth and pain-free. Contact us for a consultation.