Should I Go to The ER or an Emergency Dentist?

Dental emergencies always seem to happen at the worst time. From a filling falling out, a throbbing toothache, or a sudden stabbing pain that makes you freeze mid-bite, dental emergencies can be scary and cause debilitating pain. 

More than two million people visit hospital emergency departments each year for dental-related problems. Yet, most of those cases could have been handled more effectively and more affordably by an emergency dentist. Knowing where to go during a dental emergency can save you time, money, and your smile. Read on to learn what a true dental emergency is and when to get emergency dental care from the best dentist in Miami Beach. 

What is Considered a Dental Emergency? 

A true dental emergency often interferes with life, making you stop everything. It usually involves severe tooth pain that won’t let you sleep, bleeding gums that won’t quit, or a knocked-out tooth that’s been dislodged from its socket. It can also include swelling that makes it hard to open your mouth or breathe, or a deep infection that causes fever and throbbing in your jaw. Ignoring a true emergency can turn a small problem into something much harder to fix, so it’s worth trusting your instincts and seeking care right away when something feels seriously wrong.

Signs of a Dental Emergency

A true dental emergency is much different from just chipping a tooth or losing a filling, which might be uncomfortable but can usually wait until the next available appointment. Knowing the difference between a dental emergency and something that can wait can be determined by asking yourself a few questions: Is the pain intense enough that over-the-counter pain relievers are not enough? Are you having trouble eating, speaking, or brushing and flossing your teeth? 

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you’re likely experiencing a dental emergency: 

• Your face feels hot or swollen, or you have a fever and pulsing pain that spreads into your jaw
• A tooth that’s been knocked out or feels loose 
• Bleeding that soaks through gauze or won’t stop after several minutes 
• Pain that makes it hard to eat or sleep 
• Swelling that’s spreading quickly

When Should I go to an Emergency Dentist?

Most dental emergencies that don’t involve heavy bleeding, high fever, or facial trauma are best handled by someone trained to treat the root of the problem. Dentists have the equipment and skill to repair damaged teeth, drain a tooth abscess, or replace a dental crown right away, while an emergency room can typically only prescribe temporary pain medication or antibiotics to get you through until your dental appointment. So if you’ve cracked a tooth on a popcorn kernel, lost a dental crown, had a tooth knocked out, or woken up with swelling around your gumline, your first call should be to a dentist. 

When Should I go to an Emergency Room?

You should go to the emergency room for dental emergencies if: 

• You’re experiencing bleeding from your mouth that won’t stop
• Your face or jaw is swelling quickly, or it hurts to breathe or swallow
• You have a severe toothache along with a fever 

These are all signs that the problem could be spreading beyond a single tooth or gum and may involve your airway, bones, or bloodstream. The hospital is equipped to handle those serious complications by giving IV antibiotics for a tooth infection, controlling bleeding, or treating fractures of the jaw and face. 

What the emergency room can’t usually do is repair or replace a damaged tooth, so a follow-up visit with a dentist is still important once you’re stable. 

What to do for a Knocked-Out Tooth

When a tooth gets knocked out, you might taste blood or feel the sharp edge where the tooth used to be. The most important thing you can do is act quickly, because what you do and how long it takes to get to the dentist will make all the difference in saving your tooth: 

• Pick up the tooth by the crown, the white part of the tooth, not the root 
• If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with milk or saliva. Don’t use water, and don’t scrub or dry it
• If possible, place the tooth back into the socket and hold it in place with light pressure from your tongue 
• If that’s too painful or not possible to place it back into the socket, keep the tooth moist by placing it in a small container of milk or your own saliva
• Avoid wrapping the tooth in tissue or letting it dry out
• Getting to a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes gives you the best chance of saving the tooth

Where to Find the Best Dentist in Miami Beach for Emergency Dental Care 

A dental emergency can throw your whole day off track, and that’s when having a dentist you can count on makes all the difference. Whether it’s a cracked tooth, severe pain, or unexpected swelling, we move quickly to get you seen and treated by Dr. Tommy Gaertner. With a calm, confident presence and deep clinical expertise, we bring clarity to stressful moments. 

With advanced tools on site and a team that knows how to act fast while staying attentive to your needs, our office is designed to make emergency visits feel smooth, rather than chaotic. 

Ready to get emergency dental care that you can trust with the best dentist in Miami Beach?