{"id":190,"date":"2024-09-27T16:13:01","date_gmt":"2024-09-27T16:13:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.whitepeakdental.com\/blog\/?p=190"},"modified":"2025-10-15T17:35:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T17:35:09","slug":"going-to-the-dentist-or-er-for-dental-emergencies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.whitepeakdental.com\/blog\/going-to-the-dentist-or-er-for-dental-emergencies\/","title":{"rendered":"Taming Tooth Troubles: Should You Go to the ER for Dental Emergencies?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitepeakdental.com\/blog\/going-to-the-dentist-or-er-for-dental-emergencies\/\" class=\"block-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"532\" src=\"https:\/\/www.whitepeakdental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_504352962_800x532.jpeg\" alt=\"Patient at dentist during dental emergencies\" class=\"wp-image-191\" style=\"width:299px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.whitepeakdental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_504352962_800x532.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.whitepeakdental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_504352962_800x532-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.whitepeakdental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_504352962_800x532-768x511.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Dental emergencies can be scary, and it\u2019s easy to panic when you\u2019re in pain or dealing with a sudden <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitepeakdental.com\/emergency-dentistry.html\">dental disaster<\/a>. However, not every oral issue requires a trip to the emergency room. Knowing whether to head to the ER or contact your dentist can save you time, money, and needless discomfort. So, if you\u2019re curious about when to head into a dental office and when to see a doctor, continue reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When Should I Go to the Dentist for Dental Emergencies?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In most cases, your dentist should be your first point of contact for dental emergencies. Dentists are specifically trained to handle oral health issues and have the right equipment to treat your problem effectively. Here are some situations where your dentist is the best choice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Toothaches: <\/strong>A severe toothache could be a sign of infection, a cavity, or gum disease. Your dentist can diagnose and treat the root cause, providing relief.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chipped or Cracked Teeth: <\/strong>Like toothaches,a chipped or cracked tooth can usually be handled by your dentist. Just be sure to save any broken pieces and contact your dentist quickly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Knocked-Out Tooth:<\/strong> Surprisingly, this is a case where your dentist is often the right choice. If you can, gently place the tooth back in its socket or store it in milk and get to your dentist within 30 minutes for the best chance of saving it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When Should I go to the ER?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are some situations where a dental issue can be life-threatening or too severe for your dentist to handle. In these cases, it\u2019s best to go straight to the ER:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Severe Swelling:<\/strong> If you\u2019re experiencing swelling in your face, neck, or jaw, it could indicate a serious infection is spreading. This can be dangerous, especially if it\u2019s affecting your ability to breathe or swallow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Uncontrollable Bleeding:<\/strong> After a dental injury, if you can\u2019t stop the bleeding after applying pressure for 10 to 15 minutes, go to the ER immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Broken Jaw:<\/strong> If you think your jaw might be fractured or broken, the ER has the proper equipment and staff to solve the issue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Abscess with Fever:<\/strong> A dental abscess (a painful, pus-filled infection) can become dangerous if accompanied by fever or swelling. These symptoms are a sign that the infection might be spreading, which could turn deadly if left untreated.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to dental emergencies, knowing where to go can make all the difference. For most tooth-related issues, your dentist should be your first call. However, if you\u2019re dealing with a severe or potentially life-threatening situation, don\u2019t hesitate to head to the ER. Getting the care you need when you need it could save more than your smile!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitepeakdental.com\/meet-dr-hansen.html\">Dr. JD Hansen<\/a> is a talented dental expert with a doctorate from the University of Louisville. He understands that dental emergencies can be stressful. So, he strives to provide quick, compassionate care to all his patients when they need it the most. Call (801) 293-1234 to schedule a consultation with us at White Peak Dental. You can also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitepeakdental.com\/\">visit our website<\/a> to view a full menu of treatments and services we offer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dental emergencies can be scary, and it\u2019s easy to panic when you\u2019re in pain or dealing with a sudden dental disaster. However, not every oral issue requires a trip to the emergency room. Knowing whether to head to the ER or contact your dentist can save you time, money, and needless discomfort. So, if you\u2019re curious about when to head into a dental office and when to see a doctor, continue reading. <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitepeakdental.com\/blog\/going-to-the-dentist-or-er-for-dental-emergencies\/\">(Read More)<\/a>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-190","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>ER or Dentist for Dental Emergencies Cottonwood Heights | White Peak Dental<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You need to act quickly when a dental emergency strikes, but is it better to call your dentist or the nearest emergency room?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitepeakdental.com\/blog\/going-to-the-dentist-or-er-for-dental-emergencies\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"ER or Dentist for Dental Emergencies Cottonwood Heights | White Peak Dental\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"You need to act quickly when a dental emergency strikes, but is it better to call your dentist or the nearest emergency room?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.whitepeakdental.com\/blog\/going-to-the-dentist-or-er-for-dental-emergencies\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"White Peak Dental Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-09-27T16:13:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-15T17:35:09+00:00\" \/>\n<meta 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