Emergency Dentist in Drexel Hill: What Can Wait and What Can't

A cracked tooth on the court or a sudden toothache can leave you unsure whether to call your dentist, head to the ER, or wait. Knowing when you need an emergency dentist in Drexel Hill helps you act quickly and protect your smile. At Dental Arts of Drexel Hill, our family dentistry team can help you sort out the next step.

Three Levels of Dental Emergencies

The ADA's guide to handling dental emergencies offers more detail, but these three tiers cover the basics.

Go to the ER or Call 911

• Facial swelling that affects breathing or swallowing
• A possible broken jaw
• A head injury or signs of a concussion
• Bleeding that won't stop with firm pressure
• A deep cut to the face, lip, or tongue that may need stitches

An ER can stabilize serious injuries and treat a spreading infection, but it usually can't repair a damaged tooth. Call us for follow-up care once you're stable.

Call Us Today

• A knocked-out or loosened adult tooth
• An abscess with swelling or fever
• A cracked tooth that hurts
• Severe tooth pain

An infected tooth may need treatment such as root canal therapy, so early care can make a big difference.

Can Wait a Day or Two

• A lost filling or crown
• A chipped tooth that doesn't hurt
• A mild toothache without swelling or fever
• Food or an object stuck between teeth (try gentle flossing, never a sharp tool)

Call to schedule a visit, and avoid chewing on that side in the meantime. If a dental crown comes off, keep it in a clean container and bring it with you.

What to Do If a Tooth Gets Knocked Out

With a knocked-out adult tooth, the first 30 to 60 minutes matter most. The American Association of Endodontists recommends these steps:

• Pick up the tooth by the crown (the chewing surface), never the root.
• If it's dirty, rinse it briefly with water. Don't scrub it or wrap it in tissue.
• Gently place it back in the socket if you can, and bite down on clean gauze to hold it.
• If you can't reinsert it, keep it in milk or in your mouth next to your cheek.
• Call us right away at (610) 449-1513.

Never put a baby tooth back in, since that can damage the adult tooth underneath. Call us for guidance instead.

Protect Your Smile Year-Round

Basketball, soccer, hockey, and skateboarding can all lead to a broken tooth. Wearing a mouthguard for contact sports and a helmet for biking or skating lowers the risk. If you grind your teeth at night, a custom night guard can also help prevent cracks and chips.

Dental Emergency FAQs

What If I Can't Reach You After Hours?

For a serious injury, trouble breathing or swallowing, or uncontrolled bleeding, go to the nearest ER or call 911. For anything else, call us when we open and describe what happened.

How Can I Ease Tooth Pain Until My Visit?

Rinse with warm salt water, hold a cold compress against your cheek, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as the label directs. Avoid placing aspirin directly on your gums, since it can burn the tissue.

Do You Speak Spanish?

Yes. Our team speaks English, Spanish, and German, so you can describe the problem in the language you're most comfortable using.

Call Our Emergency Dentist in Drexel Hill

Dental emergencies feel stressful, but a simple plan helps. If you need an emergency dentist in Drexel Hill, call Dental Arts of Drexel Hill at (610) 449-1513, or contact our office with questions about prevention. Our team will help you figure out the next step.

This article is for general information only and is not a diagnosis. Talk with your dentist about your specific needs.