Know When to Act Quickly
A dental emergency can happen without warning—biting into something hard, tripping on the stairs, or waking up with severe tooth pain that won’t go away. But knowing the types of dental emergencies and when to seek immediate help can make all the difference in protecting your oral health and saving your natural teeth.
At Desert Hills Dental Care in Farmington, NM, Dr. Charles Schumacher and his team offer prompt, compassionate emergency dental care for patients in pain. With more than three decades of experience and a reputation for excellence in emergency dentistry, Dr. Schumacher provides the right dental treatment—whether you’re dealing with a broken tooth, tooth infection, or knocked out tooth.
If you’re in pain or suspect a serious issue, don’t wait—call our Farmington emergency dentists at (505) 327-4863 for same-day emergency treatment and relief.
What Counts as a True Dental Emergency?
According to the American Dental Association, a true dental emergency is any situation requiring immediate treatment to stop bleeding, alleviate severe pain, prevent infection, or save a tooth.
However, not all dental emergencies are equally urgent. Some require same-day attention, while others can wait a few days with proper care and monitoring. Knowing the difference helps you take the right steps to protect your dental health and avoid life-threatening complications.
Here are the most common dental emergencies you should be aware of—and what to do in each case.
1. Severe Toothache or Dental Pain
A severe toothache is one of the most common and distressing dental emergencies. Persistent or throbbing tooth pain often signals an underlying problem, such as:
- Deep tooth decay (dental caries)
- An exposed tooth root
- A dental abscess or infection
- Cracked tooth or tooth fracture
If you’re in significant pain, rinse your mouth with warm salt water, apply a cold compress to the cheek, and call your emergency dentist immediately. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gums—it can irritate the tissue.
Prompt care may include a root canal treatment to remove infection, a dental filling, or a dental crown to restore the tooth’s function.
2. Knocked Out Tooth (Avulsed Tooth)
A knocked out tooth is one of the most time-sensitive dental injuries. The periodontal ligament fibers that anchor the tooth can sometimes reattach if you act quickly—ideally within 30 to 60 minutes.
What to do:
- Pick up the tooth by the crown (the top), not the root.
- Rinse gently with water if dirty—don’t scrub or use soap.
- Try to reinsert it into the tooth socket and hold it in place with gentle pressure.
- If that’s not possible, keep it moist in milk or saliva.
- Call Desert Hills Dental Care at (505) 327-4863x and head to the office immediately.
If the tooth cannot be saved, Dr. Schumacher may recommend dental implants or bridges to restore your smile and oral health.
3. Broken, Cracked, or Fractured Tooth
A broken tooth or cracked tooth may not always cause pain at first, but it should never be ignored. Cracks can deepen over time, allowing bacteria to enter and infect the underlying tooth.
Common causes include:
- Biting down on hard foods
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Old or failing dental restorations
- Trauma from sports or accidents
Treatment depends on severity:
- Minor chips can often be repaired with bonding or dental wax to protect soft tissues.
- Deeper cracks may require a dental crown.
- Severe fractures that reach the pulp may need root canal therapy or tooth extraction.
While waiting for treatment, avoid chewing on the affected side and use a cold compress to reduce swelling.
4. Dental Abscess or Tooth Infection
A dental abscess is a serious infection that develops near the tooth’s root or between the tooth and gums. It can cause severe oral pain, swelling, and sometimes fever. Left untreated, it may spread to the jawbone or bloodstream, leading to potentially life-threatening complications.
Symptoms include:
- Intense, throbbing tooth pain
- Swollen gums or face
- A visible pimple-like bump on the gums
- Sensitivity to heat or pressure
Treatment often involves root canal therapy to remove the infected tissue or tooth extraction if the damage is extensive. Dr. Schumacher may also prescribe antibiotics to eliminate infection and relieve pain.
If swelling spreads to the neck or affects breathing, go to an emergency room immediately.
5. Broken or Lost Dental Restorations
Losing a dental crown, filling, or bridge can expose sensitive parts of the tooth enamel, leading to discomfort and vulnerability to decay.
Temporary fix:
- Use dental wax or sugar-free gum to protect the exposed area.
- Avoid chewing on that side.
- Schedule an emergency dental appointment for repair or replacement.
Dr. Schumacher provides same-day dental care whenever possible to restore your restoration and prevent further damage.
6. Soft Tissue Injuries and Oral Trauma
Injuries to the soft tissues—such as the lips, cheeks, tongue, or gum tissue—can result from accidents, sports, or sharp food edges. While they can bleed heavily, most are not life-threatening.
To manage bleeding:
- Rinse gently with warm salt water.
- Apply a clean cloth or gauze with firm pressure.
- Use a cold compress to control swelling.
If bleeding doesn’t stop after 10–15 minutes, go to an emergency dentist or emergency room.
7. Partially Erupted Wisdom Teeth
A partially erupted tooth, especially a wisdom tooth, can trap food and bacteria beneath the gum flap. This can cause infection, swelling, and pain—a condition known as pericoronitis.
Treatment may include:
- Cleaning the area
- Antibiotics
- Tooth extraction if the problem persists
Prompt evaluation prevents infection from spreading to neighboring teeth and soft tissues.
8. Orthodontic Emergencies
While not usually life-threatening, broken braces or wires can still cause discomfort or injury to the mouth.
What to do:
- If a wire breaks, cover it with orthodontic wax to prevent it from poking your cheek or tongue.
- Avoid cutting the wire yourself.
- Schedule a repair appointment with your orthodontist or dentist as soon as possible.
Until then, continue gentle oral hygiene and avoid sticky or hard foods.
9. Gum Disease Flare-Ups and Periodontal Abscesses
Patients with periodontal disease may occasionally experience painful flare-ups or periodontal abscesses, which occur when an infection forms deep within the gum pocket.
Symptoms include swelling, tenderness, and a foul taste in the mouth. Without immediate treatment, gum infection can destroy tissue and bone, leading to tooth loss.
Treatment may include:
- Drainage of the abscess
- Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning)
- Antibiotics and pain medication
- Improved oral hygiene routine
Maintaining regular tooth brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings can help prevent these painful episodes.
10. Tooth Loss or Dental Trauma
Any tooth loss caused by trauma—whether a sports injury or accident—requires immediate treatment. Traumatic dental injuries may involve damage to the tooth socket, surrounding bone, or periodontal ligament fibers.
Even if the tooth is only loosened and not completely dislodged, it’s essential to see your dentist immediately. Dr. Schumacher can stabilize the tooth, perform root canal therapy if needed, and restore your oral health.
When to Visit the Emergency Room
Most dental emergencies are best handled by a dentist’s office, but certain symptoms require urgent medical attention at an emergency room:
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Broken facial bones or jaw
- Swelling affecting breathing or swallowing
- High fever or spreading infection
Once the medical emergency is stabilized, return to your emergency dentist for continued care and restoration.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
While some accidents are unavoidable, maintaining strong oral hygiene habits can prevent many dental emergencies:
- Brush and floss daily to reduce dental caries and gum disease.
- Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and dental cleanings.
- Wear a mouthguard during sports to protect against dental trauma.
- Avoid using your teeth to open packages or bottles.
- Be cautious with hard or sticky foods that can cause tooth fractures.
By protecting your teeth proactively, you’ll reduce your risk of unexpected pain, damage, or infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rinse your mouth with warm salt water, take over-the-counter pain medication, and apply a cold compress. Call your emergency dentist the next morning for an appointment.
No, tooth fractures do not heal naturally. Immediate treatment is needed to prevent infection or tooth loss.
If you have severe pain, bleeding, swelling, or a visibly damaged tooth, it’s best to seek emergency treatment right away.
Yes. A dental abscess can spread infection to other parts of the body if left untreated. Always see a dentist immediately for evaluation.
Call for Emergency Dental Care in Farmington, NM
If you experience any of these types of dental emergencies, the best thing you can do is act quickly. Desert Hills Dental Care provides same-day appointments, compassionate care, and effective solutions to restore your comfort and protect your smile.
Call (505) 327-4863 now for urgent dental care from Dr. Charles Schumacher—Farmington’s trusted emergency dentist. Whether it’s severe pain, a broken tooth, or a dental abscess, our team will deliver the prompt, professional emergency treatment you need to regain your healthy smile.