Some symptoms point to infection, nerve damage, or an injury that will not heal by itself. When you notice any of the signs below, call during office hours and ask for a same-day visit. Prompt care lets the dentist treat the problem while there is still more of the tooth to save.
Severe or Throbbing Tooth Pain
Pain that throbs, wakes you up, or keeps getting worse often means the nerve inside the tooth is inflamed or infected. Store-bought pain relievers may dull it for a few hours, but they do not treat the cause. A dentist needs to examine the tooth and take an X-ray to see what is happening under the gums. Pain that spikes with a hot or cold drink and lingers after you swallow is another reason to call promptly.
Swelling in the Gums, Face, or Jaw
Swelling near a tooth usually signals an infection that has spread past the tooth itself. You may notice a puffy cheek, a tender bump on the gum, a bad taste, or a fever. Mouth infections do not clear up without treatment, and some spread into the face and neck. Swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow is a medical emergency, and the hospital section later on this page explains what to do.
A Knocked Out or Loose Adult Tooth
A permanent tooth that comes out in a fall or sports collision has the strongest chance of survival when a dentist sees it quickly. A tooth that an injury shifts out of place or loosens also needs prompt care. The dentist may be able to move it back into position and hold it steady while it heals. The first aid steps below explain how to protect the tooth on the way in.
Bleeding That Will Not Stop
Small cuts inside the mouth often bleed heavily at first and then slow down with steady pressure. Bleeding that continues after 15 to 20 minutes of firm pressure needs attention. A tooth socket that keeps oozing many hours after an extraction also calls for a phone call to the dentist. Head to a hospital if the bleeding is heavy and the dental office is closed.