Many dentists offer emergency dental care for their patients. However, if your dentist is unavailable or if you don't have a regular dentist, you will need to seek care elsewhere. Emergency dental services can help you with any number of dental crises that need sudden attention. Here are four situations where you should see an emergency dentist as soon as possible:

1. A filling or crown fell out.

If a filling or crown falls out, you may experience pain because the underlying tooth is exposed. It's important to seek dental attention as soon as possible, since fillings and crowns are used to reinforce teeth that have been weakened by the removal of decay. If the exposed tooth is sharp, you may fill it with dental wax to protect the soft tissues in your mouth until you can get to a dentist.

2. A tooth chipped or cracked.

You may crack or chip your tooth by biting down on something hard unexpectedly. This type of damage should be treated immediately, since it can worsen if left alone. If the chip in your tooth has not affected the dentin layer, your dentist may simply file it down to smooth sharp edges, although dental bonding is another option. Cracked teeth will be treated with a dental crown to prevent further damage and to keep decay from affecting the inner portion of your tooth.

3. A tooth fell out.

If a tooth falls out, you should get to a dentist as soon as possible. Prompt treatment may allow your dentist to save the tooth and reattach it. Keep the tooth clean and moist until you can get it to a dentist. Do not use soap or any other harsh chemicals on the tooth; if it's dirty from falling on the floor, rinse it with clean water only.

4. You are experiencing severe pain.

In some cases, you may experience severe tooth pain without being sure of the cause. You should still seek emergency dental care because you may have an infection in your mouth. Severe oral pain is sometimes caused by an abscessed tooth. When left untreated, infected teeth can cause facial swelling. It can be very dangerous if the infection travels to your brain. A dentist will be able to examine your teeth and take x-rays for diagnostic purposes. You may require a root canal to relieve your pain and solve the underlying issue.

If you experience one of these dental emergencies, don't hesitate to call an emergency dental service. They will likely be able to offer you a same-day appointment so you can have the problem resolved as soon as possible.

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