Imagine you’re on vacation and suddenly one of your teeth just starts to hurt and throb. You try to dull the pain with an over-the-counter medication, but unfortunately, it doesn’t help. You still have a few days left of your trip until you can see your regular dentist — what can you do?
This is the perfect example of where a toothache may merit a visit to the nearest emergency room, urgent care or emergency dentist. Not only can a toothache cause pain that will make your trip less enjoyable, but tooth pain can also be a sign of potential tooth infection or injury, which should be treated as soon as possible.
Let’s talk more about when you can go to the ER with a toothache, as well as alternatives to getting immediate dental treatment when your dentist is not available.
When Is a Toothache Considered an Emergency?
Can you go to the emergency room for a toothache? The answer to that question is yes, however, you should only turn to the ER for dental problems when they are emergencies. This is because most ERs are not equipped to provide complete dental care.
You should go to the emergency room for a severe toothache if you’re experiencing:
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Face numbness or weakness
- High fever
- Severe, unbearable pain that doesn’t go away even when using over-the-counter pain medications
- Swelling in the face, jaw or neck
- Trauma or injury to the teeth or jaw
- Uncontrollable bleeding in the mouth
What the ER Can and Can’t Do for a Toothache
When thinking about "can you go to the emergency room for a toothache?," it's important to remember that almost all ERs do not employ dentists. So while an ER can supply some relief for severe tooth pain and dental emergencies, they are limited to what they can provide.
An ER can provide immediate care for a toothache by:
- Addressing swelling or life-threatening complications, such as bleeding
- Draining dental abscesses
- Numbing the problematic area with an anesthetic
- Providing pain relief through medications that are stronger than what is available over-the-counter
- Treating severe infections with antibiotics
When it comes to toothaches, an ER cannot:
- Fix a broken tooth
- Perform dental procedures like fillings, root canals or extractions
- Provide long-term solutions for tooth pain
- Repair broken braces
When to See a Dentist Instead of Going to the ER
Whenever possible, it's best to visit your dentist for any toothaches or other dental issues. Your dentist is the best qualified medical professional to treat any dental issues and they have access to specialized tools and equipment that an ER may not have.
If you experience a toothache during the weekends, at night or while on vacation, try to wait for an appointment at your regular dental office if:
- Cavities need to be filled
- Cracked teeth need fixing
- Minor gum irritation needs treatment
- Pain is manageable with over-the-counter medications
- Root canals or fillings are needed
- There is no fever, swelling or signs of infection
It is important not to let a toothache linger — a toothache is a sign that there is something wrong. An untreated toothache could result in an infection spreading to the rest of your teeth, mouth and even your bloodstream, potentially impacting the health of your entire body.
Alternatives to the ER: Where to Get Emergency Dental Care
While the answer to “can you go to the emergency room for a toothache?” is yes, there may be a better alternative than the ER for dental care when your regular dentist is not available.
An emergency dentist provides extended hours and same-day appointments for dental emergencies such as:
- Abscess
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Crown or bridge that has fallen off
- Dental pain
- Infections
- Knocked-out or partially dislodged tooth
- Loose tooth
- Mouth bleeding
- Serious toothaches
Many times, your regular dentist’s office will provide emergency hours or an emergency number to call. If they don’t offer emergency dental services, they can refer you to a location near you.
Unlike at the ER, an emergency dentist can provide full care for dental emergencies, including:
- Perform root canals and fillings
- Providing prescription medications for pain and infection
- Re-implanting knocked-out teeth
- Tooth extractions
- Treating abscesses in the mouth
In addition to providing comprehensive dental care, visiting an emergency dentist can be much cheaper than visiting the emergency room.
Additionally, your local urgent care can also provide 24/7 dental care (for mild infections or pain relief.
However, it is important to remember that you should seek immediate attention at an ER for a toothache that is accompanied by any life-threatening issues, such as:
- Difficulty breathing
- Extreme facial injury, such as a broken jaw
- Uncontrollable bleeding
What to Do At Home Until You See a Dentist
If you have a toothache accompanied by no life-threatening issues, and the pain is tolerable, you may want to wait until you can see your regular dentist.
Some things you can do to help keep toothache pain down when waiting to visit your dentist include:
- Avoid eating on the side with the painful tooth
- Gently floss to remove anything stuck between teeth that may be causing discomfort
- Sleep with your head elevated
- Stay away from foods and beverages at extreme hot or cold temperatures
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen
- Try a saltwater rinse to reduce mouth bacteria and lower inflammation
- Use a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to help bring down swelling
Get the Right Care for Your Toothache
Can you go to the emergency room for a toothache? Certainly, however, it may not always be your best option.
If your toothache is not accompanied by life-threatening health issues, your best bet may be to visit a nearby emergency dentist or make an appointment as soon as possible with your AdventHealth dentist.
However, if you are experiencing difficulty breathing, uncontrollable mouth bleeding, facial numbness, signs of infection or have experienced a traumatic mouth injury, you should go to the nearest AdventHealth hospital emergency room as soon as possible for your toothache.
