In short: A dental emergency is any problem needing urgent care to relieve severe pain, stop bleeding, or save a tooth — such as a knocked-out or broken tooth, severe toothache, facial swelling, or an abscess. Swelling that affects breathing or swallowing is a medical emergency — seek immediate care.
Not every dental problem is an emergency, but some genuinely need prompt attention. As a rule, it’s an emergency if you have severe pain, uncontrolled bleeding, swelling, or an injury that could cost you a tooth. Common dental emergencies include:
- A knocked-out tooth — act within minutes to have any chance of saving it.
- A severe, persistent toothache, especially with swelling — often a sign of infection.
- A dental abscess — a painful, pus-filled infection that can spread and become dangerous.
- Facial or gum swelling.
- A broken, cracked or badly chipped tooth, particularly if painful or with a sharp edge.
- Bleeding that won’t stop after an extraction or injury.
- A lost filling or crown causing pain, or a soft-tissue injury (cut lip, tongue or gum).
Seek immediate medical/emergency care — not just a dentist — if you have swelling that affects your breathing or swallowing, or that’s spreading towards the eye or neck, or if you’ve had significant facial trauma. These can be serious.
By contrast, things like mild sensitivity, a small chip with no pain, or a dull ache can usually wait a day or two for a normal appointment — though they should still be checked.
When in doubt, call us. We’ll tell you whether you need to be seen urgently and arrange emergency dental care quickly if so.