Most people only have to go to their local dentist office for their regularly scheduled dental checkups and cleanings. However, every now and then an accident can happen. When something serious goes wrong with a tooth, it can lead to bigger issues if the problem isn’t taken care of immediately. In these instances, it is necessary to call the dentist office and schedule an emergency dentist appointment. But how do you know what constitutes a dental emergency? Here are three situations that require emergency dental care:

1. Lost Tooth – Even though teeth are pretty strong, they can still get knocked out from certain situations. Whether a person loses a tooth as a result of a sports injury, fight or dental decay or disease, it is time to get to the dentist as quickly as possible. A tooth that has been knocked out still has a chance of being reinserted, so time is of the essence. If a person is able to find the tooth after it is knocked out, they should pick it up by the crown, rinse it off and try to gently put it back into the tooth socket. If it can’t be reinserted, the tooth should be kept in a small cup of milk until the patient gets to the dentist.
2. Cracked or Fractured Tooth – Most of the time when a tooth is cracked or fractured, the damage has extended to the inside of the tooth, as well. This can be a serious problem, and the most severe tooth fractures can’t be fixed. When someone has a cracked or fractured tooth, they need to make an appointment at their dentist office immediately. In the meantime, it is important to gently rinse the mouth out with warm water and take tylenol to relieve the pain. X-rays will need to be taken at the dentist office to determine the severity of the fracture.
3. Loose Tooth – A loose tooth has a good chance of being saved as long as a person makes an emergency dentist appointment right away. When a tooth becomes loose or misaligned, the person should try to reposition it in the socket if they can. Sometimes it helps to very gently bite down in order to keep the tooth from moving around. If the tooth does not want to move, it shouldn’t be forced. Once at the office, a person can ask a dentist what the best plan of action is to take care of the tooth and keep it from falling out.

A lost, fractured or loose tooth is not something that should be taken lightly. Acting quickly to find a dentist to look at the problem can be the difference between saving the tooth and losing it. Find out more here.