Dental emergencies aren’t always obvious. Here’s a guide to help you determine when to seek urgent care:

• Excruciating Toothache: Pain that’s constant, throbbing, and radiates to your jaw or ear often indicates a serious problem like an infection or abscess. Don’t delay – seek help immediately.
• Visible Damage: A broken, chipped, or cracked tooth requires prompt attention to prevent further damage and save the tooth if possible.
• Lost Tooth: If a tooth is completely knocked out, time is critical. The sooner you seek treatment, the higher the chance of successful reimplantation.
• Swollen Gums or Jaw: Sudden swelling can indicate an abscess, a painful and potentially dangerous infection that needs immediate drainage.
• Bleeding Gums: While some minor bleeding can occur with gum disease, sudden or profuse bleeding after an injury requires urgent care.
• Lost Filling or Crown: These protect your tooth. Losing one leaves your tooth vulnerable and can cause pain.
• Object Lodged in Teeth: If you can’t remove an object stuck between your teeth with floss, see a dentist to avoid damaging your gums.