A dental emergency can be quite severe and even life-threatening. If a tooth becomes suddenly fully or partially dislodged (known as “avulsion”), it is vital that you act immediately. The longer you delay treatment, the poorer the prognosis can be. The risk of the loss becoming permanent is greatly elevated.
If you notice sudden blood in your mouth, you need to contact us immediately. It could mean that a tooth has become knocked out, or that you have severe lacerations (cuts) in your mouth that need to be addressed right away. If you find that a tooth has been completely knocked out, you may have as little as a half hour to have us treat it. Place the tooth in a glass of milk or, in a pinch, a small amount of your saliva and bring it to our office immediately.
If you are suffering from pain, we may need to assess the site promptly. This could be due to many different reasons, including an infection, severe tooth decay, injury to the tooth, or even an abscess. Do not try to diagnose or treat it yourself, as delays in treatment can be very harmful. For instance, if the pain is due to an abscess, your life may be in danger. This is because an abscess can quickly spread and attack your brain or your body. Serious decay and infection also need swift intervention, as you may be at risk of tooth loss.