Dental emergencies can strike when you least expect them — often catching you off guard and leaving you in pain. Each year, approximately two million people end up in emergency rooms due to dental issues. These visits rack up a staggering $1.7 billion in healthcare costs. That's a lot of toothaches and a whole lot of money! The good news is that many of these emergencies can be avoided or better managed with the right knowledge. 

Understanding what to do during a dental emergency isn't just about saving money — it's about saving your teeth and gums from further damage. Whether you have a knocked-out tooth or sudden severe tooth pain, knowing how to respond can make all the difference. 

Read on to learn how to respond to unexpected dental emergencies and find out where to get the best emergency dental care in Monmouth Junction. 

Recognizing a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies typically involve severe pain, bleeding, or trauma to the mouth that requires immediate attention to prevent further damage or complications. Recognizing a dental emergency is important for taking appropriate action. 

Part of recognizing a dental emergency is learning to differentiate between urgent issues that need immediate care and non-urgent problems that can wait for a regular appointment. Urgent dental problems often involve intense, persistent pain, significant swelling, or injuries that could lead to permanent tooth loss if not treated quickly. On the other hand, non-urgent issues might include a small chip in a tooth or mild tooth sensitivity that doesn't interfere with daily activities. Dental emergencies that require an urgent visit to the dentist include:

  • Severe toothache, including intense, throbbing pain that doesn't subside
  • Knocked-out tooth
  • Broken dental work, including damaged crowns, bridges, or fillings that expose sensitive areas
  • Dental abscess — a painful, swollen area on the gums that may contain pus
  • Soft tissue injuries, including cuts or lacerations to the lips, tongue, or inside of the mouth
  • Broken or fractured tooth — a tooth that has been cracked or broken, causing pain or sharp edges

What to Do if You Have a Dental Emergency

If you find yourself in a dental emergency, it's important to stay calm and take quick action. Your first step should be to contact an emergency dentist for immediate advice and to schedule an urgent appointment. While waiting for professional care, there are some things you can do to manage pain and swelling — such as over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. 

Applying a cold compress to the outside of your cheek near the affected area can reduce swelling and numb pain. If you're dealing with a broken tooth or lost filling, you should cover any sharp edges with dental wax to protect your mouth. If you have a knocked-out tooth, there are some special steps you should take: 

What to Do for a Knocked-Out Tooth 

If you've knocked out a tooth, time is of the essence to ensure that the tooth can be saved. You should act quickly with the following steps: 

  1. Locate the tooth and pick it up by the crown — the part that is used for chewing — and avoid touching the root.
  2. Gently rinse the tooth with milk, but don't scrub or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, try reinserting the tooth into its socket holding it in place with clean gauze or a washcloth. If you can't reinsert it, store the tooth in a container of milk or saliva to keep it moist. Avoid storing it in plain water, as this can damage the root cells. 
  3. Get to a dentist or emergency room immediately, ideally within 30 minutes, as the chances of saving the tooth decrease significantly after an hour. 

When to See an Emergency Dentist 

Knowing when to see an emergency dentist can not only save your teeth and gums but also prevent more serious dental issues like infections and prolonged pain. You should seek immediate dental care if you have:

  • Severe, persistent tooth pain that doesn't respond to over-the-counter pain relievers
  • A knocked-out tooth
  • Loose or partially dislodged tooth
  • Uncontrolled bleeding from your gums or mouth

Severe swelling in your mouth or jaw, especially if accompanied by fever, could indicate an abscess and also requires urgent attention. Additionally, if you've lost a filling, crown, or other dental work and it's causing pain or difficulty eating, you should see an emergency dentist. 

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Preventing dental emergencies is easier and less costly than dealing with them after they occur. One of the most effective ways to protect your teeth during sports or high-impact activities is to wear a properly fitted mouthguard. This simple device, which can be custom-made by a dentist, will significantly reduce the risk of knocked-out or broken teeth. Anyone who plays contact sports or participates in activities with motion, such as racing or skateboarding, should consider getting a mouthguard. 

In your daily life, be mindful of what you eat and avoid biting down on hard foods like ice, popcorn kernels, or hard candies, which can crack or chip your teeth. It's also important to avoid using your teeth as tools to open packages or bottles. 

Perhaps most important in your fight against dental emergencies is to keep up with your regular dental check-ups and teeth cleanings. These routine visits allow your dentist to spot and address potential issues before they become painful emergencies. 

Where to Find the Best Emergency Dentist in Monmouth Junction

Dental emergencies can be stressful and painful, but knowing how to respond can make all the difference in saving your teeth and preventing further complications. Remember, quick action is important — especially for issues like knocked-out teeth or severe pain. If you're in the Monmouth Junction area, Smiles Family Dentistry is here to help when emergencies strike. 

Our team of experienced dentists is available when you need them most, providing expert care for urgent dental issues. Plus, with our annual savings plans, you can receive free emergency exams and dental X-rays whenever needed, ensuring that financial concerns don't stand in the way of getting timely care. 

Ready to get your urgent dental needs cared for by the top dentists in Monmouth Junction?