You're playing football with a few friends when you suddenly fall face-first and chip your teeth. Or your child is riding a bike for the first time when they fall and knock out a tooth. These are both examples of dental emergencies.

Dental emergencies are more common than you think. Oftentimes, Americans forego traditional dental care and only see a dentist when there's an emergency.

But what is emergency dentistry? In this guide, you'll learn about the most common dental emergencies, how to avoid them, and what happens if you need to see an emergency dentist.

What Is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is anything that needs immediate treatment. Most people will see an emergency dentist for a severe infection, if the individual is in severe pain, if they're bleeding profusely, or if the user is at risk of losing the tooth.

If you need to see a dentist but are unsure if it's a dental emergency, ask yourself these questions:

• Are you in severe pain?
• Are you bleeding profusely?
• Did you sustain the injury from trauma or assault?
• Is your tooth loose?
• Are your gums or face swollen?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, there's a good chance you have a dental emergency. Cavity fillings, a new crown, any cosmetic issues, and any condition that doesn't cause you severe pain isn't considered a dental emergency.

Types of Dental Emergencies

There are conditions that emergency dentists see more than others. Here are some common dental emergencies.

Loose Tooth

A loose tooth is a common yet serious emergency. Even if you're not experiencing pain or discomfort, you should see an emergency dentist no more than 24 hours after noticing a loose tooth. Be sure not to pull out your tooth. If you can, put the tooth back in its original position.

Tooth Out of Alignment

If your tooth is out of alignment, you'll need to see an emergency dentist. The longer you leave the tooth out of alignment, the more difficult it will be to move back. Plus, a blood clot can form in the socket. Your dentist will try and move your tooth back to its natural position. If they are unable to, they will extract the tooth.

Knocked Out Tooth

If your tooth was knocked out, first see if you can find the tooth. Your dentist will try to reinsert it. If you find it, pick the tooth up by the top and rinse it. Try to place it back in the socket. If you can't, place it in a container filled with milk. Visit your dentist immediately with your tooth.

What if you can't find the tooth? See your dentist anyway. A knocked-out tooth can cause damage to the blood vessels, nerves, and supporting tissue. You'll likely need a dental implant to replace the missing tooth.

Tissue Injury

Certain mouth injuries, called tissue injuries, are considered dental emergencies. These include lacerations, puncture wounds, and tears to the cheeks, lips, and tongue.

Tissue injuries are different than common mouth injuries, such as canker sores. Tissue injuries come with extreme pain and excessive bleeding. There are many blood vessels in the mouth; if you don't get these injuries treated, you could lose a lot of blood.

If you suspect you have a tissue injury, rinse your mouth with warm water. Insert gauze into your mouth and apply pressure to control any bleeding. If you're in severe pain, take acetaminophen.

Similar over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, are anticoagulants and can cause excessive bleeding.

Cracked, Chipped, or Fractured Teeth

Cracked and fractured teeth are severe since these injuries also affect the inside of the tooth.

Chipped teeth are also considered dental emergencies if the full tooth is chipped or if there's excessive bleeding. These injuries cause severe pain and sensitivity, making a dental emergency room visit a must.

If you suffer any of these injuries, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the part of the face where the broken tooth is located. Take acetaminophen to minimize the pain. Do not apply any products directly to the broken tooth.

Your treatment will depend on the condition of your tooth. If the tissue inside the tooth is damaged, your dentist will perform a root canal. But if the tissue isn't affected, your dentist only needs to place a crown on your tooth. You may also opt for dental implants.

If your dentist can save your tooth, they will. Understand that your dentist may not be able to save your tooth, and you'll need a crown or an implant.

What If You Get a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency can happen anytime and anywhere, so make sure you're always ready when one happens. Never touch your mouth with your fingers—use gauze, a handkerchief, a napkin, a paper towel, or any other paper product. Take acetaminophen to stop any pain you're experiencing. If your tooth falls out, see if you can get your hands on a small container to preserve it.

Call your dentist and see if they accept emergencies. If not, ask them to refer you to an emergency dentist. You can also visit any emergency dentist near you.

How to Avoid a Dental Emergency

Now that you know when to see an emergency dentist, you should know how to avoid one.

First, get regular dental check-ups. Some infections become dental emergencies, so handle all cavities before they turn severe. If you play sports, wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth.

Emergency Dentistry in Rockaway Beach, NY

Dealing with a tooth emergency is never fun. But it's integral that you seek emergency dentistry services if something terrible happens to your teeth or gums.

Are you looking for an emergency dentist in Rockaway Beach, NY? Call (718) 630-9407, and we can see you on the same day. We cover dental emergencies as well as general dentistry, implants, periodontal treatment, cosmetic dentistry, and restorative dentistry.

We currently have a new patient special for $99! Contact us today and request an appointment.