what is a dental emergency

A dental emergency is any dental problem that requires immediate attention. Dental emergencies can come in many forms, and some situations are more urgent than others. According to the American Dental Association, dental emergencies are defined as anything "potentially life-threatening." Life-threatening dental emergencies can include severe infections that can be life-threatening, while other dental emergencies may not be life-threatening but will require urgent care. Some examples of dental emergencies include severe tooth pain from decay and/or dying pulp, third molar/wisdom tooth pain, pain from post- extraction surgery or dry socket, tooth fractures, luxations, and avulsions, dental abscess, loose tooth, knocked-out tooth, broken facial bones, and lacerated gums, cheeks, or tongue. If you are in severe pain, have a fever, or are experiencing swelling or bleeding that cannot be controlled, don't delay contacting your dentist or visiting the hospital emergency room. It's important to understand the difference between a standard dental issue that can wait until your next dental appointment or if you need to take immediate action. The longer that dental issues go untreated, the more likely that they may result in permanent damage to your teeth, or that they may warrant serious and expensive treatments.