What to Do If You Have a Dental Emergency at Night

Are you experiencing a dental emergency at night? Immediately proceed with the following steps:

1. Visit your local hospital for overnight dental emergencies (occurring between 5 AM and 9 AM).
2. Call your local walk-in dentist’s office if you can wait until morning. If you’re in Kansas City, you can contact Dental ER at (816) 360-9500.
3. Collect important documents for billing or prescription purposes. This includes your list of prescription medications and proof of dental insurance (if you’re not visiting your general dentist’s office).

Keep reading to learn more about what to do if you have a dental emergency at night.

Am I Having a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies require immediate attention, no matter the time of day.

Please visit an emergency treatment clinic if you’re experiencing:

• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Unexplained fever or chills
• A broken tooth causing extreme dental pain
• An injured jaw or broken facial bones
• A broken or missing dental implant
• A kicked, punched, or knocked out tooth
• The inability to chew or open your mouth

Keep in mind not all tooth-related pain constitutes an emergency.

You may be dealing with a non-emergency dental complication if:

• You have a painless broken tooth
• You have a loose filling, bridge, or dental crown
• You have a broken denture or night guard
• You have minor tooth sensitivity
• You’re dealing with minor tooth decay
• You want to remove your wisdom teeth
• You have general questions about non-essential dental services (including teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry, dental filling, and more)

To reiterate, you should still seek non-emergency dental care if you have tooth pain, discomfort, or general questions about your teeth. The primary difference lies in how long you can wait for medical attention. Nighttime dental emergencies require immediate medical attention, while other situations can generally can wait a few hours until morning.

Causes of Common Dental Emergencies at Night

It may be difficult to objectively gauge the severity of your tooth, mouth, or jaw pain. Instead, try evaluating the type or location of your pain. Then, think back on the activities that lead up to the injury.

Some of the most common causes of after-hours dental emergencies include:

• Cracking a tooth. This often occurs when biting down on hard objects (such as popcorn kernels, for example). It may also result from traumatic jaw injuries from sports, falls, or physical altercations. Pain type: Sudden, immediate.
• Severe tooth abscess. If your tooth pain accompanies fever and chills, you should visit the hospital as soon as possible. You may require an emergency root canal to remove the infected tooth pulp. Pain type: A throbbing, severe pain some people describe as unbearable.
• Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. If you have a broken, injured, or chipped tooth, you may have inadvertently allowed tiny pathogens inside. Infections can progress into systemic infections (and potentially sepsis) in a matter of days. Pain type: Burning or swelling sensation in the gums, neck, or jaw.
• Broken jaw. Approximately 2.5% of the US population fractures their jaw each year. Failure to treat a fractured mandibular could result in infection, misaligned teeth (sometimes called malunion), and difficulty eating or drinking. Pain type: Numbness, bleeding, and bruising in the face.

Read here if you got your permanent tooth knocked out.

Dealing with Non-Emergency Dental Pain at Home

Don’t think you need overnight emergency dental services?

Here are some ways to mitigate the pain before visiting a dental specialist in the morning:

• Try swishing warm salt water between your teeth. Salt temporarily suppresses bacterial infections and can manage the pain until you reach an emergency specialist.
• Use a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in towels to reduce facial or jaw swelling. Do not chew on ice or place ice directly on your gums or face.
• Take anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen to reduce swelling and pain. Be sure to keep a list of medications and dosages to supply to your dentist.
• Avoid hot, cold, sweet or acidic foods and beverages that may irritate your tooth nerves. If tolerable, try eating and drinking cooler foods such as chilled yogurt or cottage cheese.
• Apply clove oil or vanilla extract to your gums or tooth. Do not apply any product to open wounds, cuts, or lacerations.

Please keep in mind these are temporary solutions for tooth pain — they are not substitutes for trained dental professionals.

Plus, if you notice your dental injury becoming unbearable painful, you likely need the support of an overnight emergency specialist.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

There’s no way to avoid every possible dental emergency. That said, you can use several strategies to reduce the likelihood of problems.

We suggest:

• Maintaining good oral health by brushing twice a day and flossing daily. Studies show regular brushing and flossing will reduce your risk for periodontal disease.
• Wearing protective gear when participating in contact sports and heavy physical activities. If you play sports and don’t own a mouth guard or plastic face mask, please consider specialty specific equipment.
• Avoiding hard or sticky foods that may cause chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. Popcorn kernels, ice cubes, and frozen candy cars are some of the worst offenders.

Conclusion: Get Help For a Dental Emergency With Dental ER Walk-In Clinic in KC

Dental emergencies can have lifelong implications, so responding quickly and correctly is key to better outcomes. It’s also essential to choose the right dental care provider to address traumatic injuries and limit future complications.

At Dental ER, Kansas City’s premiere emergency dental office, you can get immediate care for your dental emergency. We offer walk-in services from 9 AM to 4 PM to address emergency situations both big and small.

Don’t wait a second longer to get the care and attention you deserve. Contact Dental ER in Kansas City, MO at (816) 360-9500 to schedule an appointment for your dental emergency.

Dental Emergency at Night FAQ

How do you respond to a dental emergency?

First and foremost, evaluate the situation. How significant is the injury? Are there broken bones involved? If you notice bleeding, swelling, or fractured facial bones, immediately get in touch with your local emergency dentist office.

Is there anything the ER can do for tooth pain?

Emergency rooms can offer prescription medications to alleviate pain while you wait for a dentist. They may also have on-call dentists available so you can get immediate treatment without waiting for help.

Should I wait until morning to get care for my dental emergency?

If you only have minor tooth sensitivity, light soreness in the jaw, or a small chipped or broken tooth, you may not need overnight emergency services. In contrast, if you have tooth pain accompanied by bleeding, fever, or chills, you may require an emergency dental service.