What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
Which problems need care today, which can wait a few days, and when to skip the dentist and go to the ER.
It is not always easy to tell whether a dental problem can wait until morning or needs attention now. When in doubt, call (913) 780-0011 and describe what is happening. Your Olathe Dentist makes every effort to see dental emergencies in Olathe the same day during office hours.
Before You Call
Take a breath and look at what happened. Rinse gently with warm water. If there is bleeding, press clean gauze on the spot for ten minutes without lifting it to check.
Save any broken piece of tooth, a crown that came off, or a knocked-out tooth (kept moist in milk). Use a cold compress on the outside of your face for swelling or soreness, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as the label directs if it is safe for you.
When you call, be ready to say which tooth, when it started, and whether there is swelling, fever or bleeding.
Problems That Need Same-Day Care
Some dental problems should be seen as soon as possible, ideally the same day.
A knocked-out adult tooth is the most time-sensitive. The sooner it is seen, the better the chance of saving it.
A severe or throbbing toothache, especially one that keeps you up at night, often points to an inflamed or infected nerve.
Swelling in the gum or face, or a pimple-like bump on the gum, can mean an infection that needs prompt attention.
A badly broken tooth, a tooth knocked loose or out of place, or a break showing a pink or red spot in the middle should be seen right away.
Problems That Can Usually Wait a Few Days
Other problems are uncomfortable but usually safe to schedule within a few days. A small chip with no pain, a lost filling that is not hurting, or a crown that came off a tooth that feels fine can often wait for the next opening.
Mild sensitivity to cold that goes away quickly, or sore gums after flossing, are worth mentioning at your next visit but are rarely urgent.
Even so, call if anything changes. A problem that starts small can get worse, and we would rather hear from you early.
When to Go to the ER Instead
Some situations need emergency medical care, not a dental office. Go to the emergency room or call 911 for facial swelling with trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling that spreads quickly toward your eye or down your neck, or bleeding that will not stop with firm pressure.
The same goes for a high fever with dental swelling, or a hard blow to the face that may have injured your jaw. Once you are stable, call us about the tooth itself. A broken tooth may need a crown.
An infected tooth may need root canal treatment.
A tooth that cannot be saved may need an extraction, followed by an implant or a bridge.
What Not to Do While You Wait
Do not put aspirin or a pain pill directly on the tooth or gum, because it can burn the tissue. Do not use super glue or household glue to reattach a crown or a broken piece.
Avoid putting heat on a swollen face, since warmth can make an infection worse. Do not poke at the area with sharp objects, and try not to chew on that side.
Most of all, do not wait for pain to go away on its own. A toothache that suddenly stops can mean the nerve has died while infection is still there.
Call (913) 780-0011 or use the contact form.
Not Sure? Give Us a Call
Tell us what happened and when. We will help you decide how soon to come in.