Updated on August 11, 2025.
Not that there’s ever a “good” time, but dental emergencies seemingly only strike at inconvenient times. The real challenge in dealing with them, beyond staying as calm as possible, is identifying whether the issue demands immediate, emergency dental care.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
Not all toothaches are equal. Oftentimes, mild discomfort, which must still be dealt with eventually, can be managed at home with ice and over-the-counter pain medication. Certain symptoms, however, indicate a more serious problem that requires immediate attention.
Generally speaking, dental emergencies are situations in which a dentist must act quickly to relieve severe pain, stop bleeding, treat an infection, or save a tooth from being lost.
How to Tell if You're Dealing with a Dental Emergency
To determine whether you’re facing a genuine dental emergency, here are a few handy, telltale questions:
- “Am I in severe pain?” — Intense, persistent, and unrelenting tooth pain often signals an underlying problem that’s reached a critical point.
- “Do I have signs of infection like swelling, throbbing, or a fever?” — Dental infections require immediate care as they can spread quickly and impact overall health.
- “Is my mouth bleeding?” — Unexplained and/or uncontrolled bleeding in the mouth should be evaluated right away.
- “Is my tooth loose?” — Adult teeth should never come loose. When they do, it’s a sign of serious injury or advanced infection.
- “Have I lost a tooth?” — If a permanent tooth is knocked out, time is critical in relieving any pain, warding off infection, and saving the natural tooth.
Knocked-Out Tooth? Time Is Critical—What to Do Until You See a Dentist
A knocked-out adult tooth is the epitome of a dental emergency. If you or a loved one loses a permanent tooth, in between staying calm and getting to the dentist ASAP, here are a few steps to increase your odds of an optimal outcome:
- Gently rinse the tooth without touching the root or scrubbing.
- If possible, reinsert it into the socket. If you cannot, place it in a container of milk or saliva to prevent it from drying out.
- To maximize the odds of saving the tooth, get to the dentist within an hour.
Find Your Emergency Dentist in Huntsville, AL
If you suspect a dental emergency, call our office immediately. If we can’t answer right away, leave a message—one of our dental professionals will return your call promptly with instructions and arrange for you to be seen as soon as possible.
If you have questions about what constitutes a dental emergency or need urgent care in Huntsville, contact Dr. Caroline Kestner and our compassionate and skilled team at (256) 539-4079. Our experienced team is here to help you protect your smile and get back to feeling your best!