Dental emergencies can happen at any time — and knowing when to seek immediate care can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Here is how to recognize a genuine dental emergency.
Situations That Require Immediate Attention
Call your dentist right away for: a knocked-out tooth (time is critical — ideally within 30 minutes); a cracked tooth with severe pain; severe toothache that does not respond to pain relievers; swelling in the jaw or face; bleeding that does not stop; or signs of dental abscess (severe pain, swelling, fever).
What to Do With a Knocked-Out Tooth
Pick the tooth up by the crown (not the root), rinse it gently with water, and try to reinsert it into the socket. If that is not possible, place it in milk to keep it moist. Call your dentist immediately.
Situations That Can Usually Wait
A chipped tooth with no pain, a lost filling or crown, and mild toothache are generally not true emergencies — but they should still be seen promptly to avoid worsening.
We Are Here When You Need Us
At Smileworks Dental in Calgary, we accommodate emergency appointments. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, call us immediately. Do not wait — early treatment almost always leads to better outcomes.