
A dental emergency is a situation that requires prompt care. It's not limited only to heavy bleeding or high-intensity visible injuries. There could be some diseases that can be life-threatening in the long run if left untreated. Certain injuries do require serious treatment, while other minor issues can be treated at home.
Dental Emergencies vs Non-Dental Emergencies

Factors like pain, swelling, and bleeding identify the severity of an injury or disease. If an injury causes unbearable pain or significant blood loss, then that type of injury needs emergency dental care. Injuries that are not critical but need immediate checkup because of high pain intensity need urgent dental care, for example, mild swelling or toothaches. On the other hand, the injuries that are not life-threatening and can wait for standard dental appointments are non-dental emergencies. To see how these symptoms (and others) can manifest, read more about problematic teeth and their effects .
Types of Dental and Non-Dental Emergencies
Let’s explore the different types of injuries and determine which qualify as dental emergencies and which are considered non-dental emergencies.
Type of Injury | Dental Emergency/Non-Dental Emergency |
---|---|
Uncontrolled bleeding | Dental Emergency |
Severe toothache | Dental Emergency |
Badly cracked or broken tooth | Dental Emergency |
Dull Toothache | Non-Dental Emergency |
Lost crown or filling | Non-Dental Emergency |
Dislocated Jaw | Dental Emergency |
Dental Abscess | Dental Emergency |
Food lodged between teeth | Non-Dental Emergency |
Serious infection | Dental Emergency |
If you know the difference between dental and non-dental emergencies, you would act quickly and seek the right care. Whether it is a knocked-out tooth or a general injury, understanding where it belongs ensures faster treatment and better outcomes.
Dental Pains That Can Be Managed at Home
Certain situations call for emergency dental care, while others can be managed at home. Many patients wonder ‘Can I go to the hospital for tooth pain?’ Well, that depends on the pain intensity. If the severity is high, it would need emergency dental work. Common problems like dental braces pain , or discomfort from aligners can also be treated with simple home remedies. Learn about some practical tips to deal with pain with aligners , or if that seems like a hassle, just buy quality aligners from ALIGNERCO to make your life easy.
While mild discomfort can often be soothed at home, severe or worsening pain is a sign you may need emergency dental treatment.
Find the Best Dental Emergency Centre Care

When we’re struggling with a dental injury, our first instinct is to get it treated at the nearest emergency dental centre. If not the nearest, then probably the best one. Let's see what options we’ve in the US.
New York – NYU Emergency Dental Care
In case of an emergency, such as pain, knocked-out teeth, infection, or trauma, NYU College of Dentistry gives you the best service. With on-site professionals, treatments are handled efficiently. No appointment is needed, as patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis.
California – UCSF Emergency Dental Care
If you’re living in California and have a sudden dental emergency, you can opt for the University of California, San Francisco’s Adult General Dentistry Clinic. They have the capability of dealing with a wide range of issues, such as severe toothaches, fractured teeth, lost crowns, and even dental infections.
Texas - Emergency Dental Center
Emergency Dental Center is fully equipped with modern technology. They provide same-day emergency and routine check-ups in Houston and the surrounding areas. The reason that they can deal with a range of emergencies is that they’re empowered with the latest technology.
Florida – Emergency Dental Care USA
Whether a patient needs immediate relief or has a concern, ‘Emergency Dental Care USA’ offers same-day care for emergency and non-emrgency patients alike. They are open seven days a week and a also offer live chat option on their website. Emergency dental care operates in multiple states besides Florida, including Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and more.
Illinois – UIC College of Dentistry
The UIC College of Dentistry offers a diverse range of dental services in Chicago. Their services include General Dentistry, Endodontics, Oral Medicine & Pain, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, and Prosthodontics. You can choose to treated by a student dentist, a resident specialist, or a faculty specialist. Either way, one-on-one attention and the best treatment plan to match your needs are guaranteed.
Choose the Right Path to Your Dental Emergency Care

Out of all the steps, the first step should always be about ‘understanding your injury/disease’ as there are multiple possibilities. For example, your teeth could be shining, but your oral health might not be the best. Hence, it’s best to always be in touch with a professional.
Once you know what is going on with your oral health, equip yourself with the right oral care products, such as mouthwash, water flosser, and fluoride toothpaste. Proper oral hygiene practices will keep your mouth healthy and disease-free. However, injuries are a different topic. Some injuries can be treated at home, as mentioned before. However, for more serious ones, go for the right clinic care and get quality emergency dental work.
FAQs
1. What is classed as a dental emergency?
A serious oral problem that requires immediate treatment is classified as a dental emergency.
2. What is an example of a dental emergency?
A knocked-out tooth is an example of a dental emergency. Since it's a high-intensity injury, it would require immediate treatment.
3. What will ER do for a tooth infection?
An emergency room will prescribe antibiotics, drain the abscess, and manage the severe pain with strong medications.
4. What is not considered a dental emergency?
Any minor injury that does not require any serious treatment.
5. What are the signs of a dental emergency?
Unbearable pain, heavy bleeding, or a knocked-out tooth.
6. How to know if a tooth infection is spreading?
If you develop a pain that goes through your jaw, nose, or ear, it could mean that the infection is spreading.
7. What are the first signs of sepsis from a tooth abscess?
The first signs of sepsis include a high fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, etc.
8. Will antibiotics help with tooth pain?
Antibiotics in combination with other medicines can cure the pain. However, antibiotics alone will always address the infection.
9. Does a toothache count as a dental emergency?
Several toothaches can be considered a dental emergency, depending on the intensity of the pain.
10. What is the most common emergency in a dental clinic?
The most common emergency in a dental clinic is a decay or an infection.
11. Can a broken tooth wait until tomorrow?
No, it could increase the chances of infection or lead to further damage.
12. Will a dentist pull an infected tooth the same day?
Yes, a dentist might be able to pull an infected tooth the same day, but it’s never the safest option. They will usually try to control the infection first to prevent it from spreading after the tooth is removed.
13. How much is the cost of an emergency dentist?
The cost of an emergency dentist varies significantly depending on the problem, location, and dentist.
Citations:
The Healthline Editorial Team. (2019, March 8). Everything you need to know about dental and oral health. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health
Cafasso, J. (2023, March 13). First aid for toothache relief. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/emergency-toothache-relief
Dental emergencies - Ontario Dental Association. (2025, June 26). Ontario Dental Association. https://www.oda.ca/oral-health-basics/dental-emergencies/