Nov 24, 2025
When to Visit an Emergency Dentist in Smyrna, GA
By Dr. Raheel Thobhani, DMD
Dental problems rarely happen at convenient times. You might wake up in the middle of the night with a throbbing jaw or chip a tooth during a weekend soccer game. In these moments of stress and pain, it can be difficult to make the right call: "Do I need to rush to the dentist right now, or can this wait until Monday?"
At Smyrna Dental Studio, we know that hesitation can sometimes lead to more severe complications. We want our patients to feel confident in their decisions. This guide will outline the clear warning signs that indicate you need to visit an emergency dentist immediately to protect your smile and your health.
5 Critical Signs You Need to Visit an Emergency Dentist Now
While some dental issues are annoying but not urgent (like a lost crown that doesn't hurt), the following scenarios require immediate professional attention.
1. You Have a Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Tooth
This is the most time-sensitive dental emergency.
Why it’s urgent: The nerves and blood vessels at the root are damaged, but the ligaments can survive if the tooth is replaced quickly.
What to do: Pick it up by the crown (not the root), keep it moist (in milk or your cheek), and get to our office within 30-60 minutes.
2. You Are in Severe, Unrelenting Pain
Pain is your body's alarm system. If you have a toothache that is sharp, throbbing, keeps you awake, and doesn't subside with ibuprofen, it signals a serious problem like a dying nerve or an active infection.
Why it’s urgent: The infection will not go away on its own and can spread to surrounding teeth and bone.
3. You Have Signs of a Dental Abscess
An abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection.
The Signs: A pimple-like bump on your gums, facial swelling, a fever, or a foul taste in your mouth.
Why it’s urgent: This is a serious infection that can spread to your jaw, neck, or bloodstream. It requires immediate drainage and antibiotics.
4. Your Tooth is Loose or Out of Alignment
Adult teeth should never be loose. If a tooth feels wiggly or looks like it has been pushed inward or outward after an injury, you need emergency care.
Why it’s urgent: The tooth needs to be stabilized (splinted) immediately to allow the roots and ligaments to heal properly.
5. You Have Uncontrolled Bleeding
If your gums or mouth are bleeding due to a cut or extraction, and the bleeding does not stop after applying firm pressure for 15 minutes, you need professional help to control it.
When to Go to the Hospital ER Instead
While we handle teeth and gums, some situations require a hospital. Go to the ER if:
You have a suspected broken jaw.
You have severe facial swelling that is impacting your breathing or swallowing.
You have sustained serious head trauma along with your dental injury.
FAQs: Your Emergency Visit Questions Answered
Q1: Can I just wait for the pain to go away?
We strongly advise against this. If severe tooth pain suddenly stops, it usually means the nerve has died. The infection is still there and is likely spreading silently to the jawbone. You still need immediate treatment to save the tooth.
Q2: Do you accept walk-ins for emergencies?
We recommend calling us first. This allows us to triage your situation over the phone, give you critical first-aid advice (like what to do with a broken tooth), and prepare a room for your arrival so we can treat you faster.
Q3: What if I don't have dental insurance?
Don't let financial fear keep you in pain. An untreated emergency often becomes much more expensive (requiring a root canal or implant) than if it were treated early. We offer transparent pricing and flexible financing options like CareCredit® to help you handle the cost of urgent care.
Q4: What will you do during the emergency visit?
Our primary goal is stabilization and pain relief. We will diagnose the problem (often with an X-ray), numb the area to stop the pain, and perform the necessary treatment (like a filling, extraction, or prescription) to resolve the immediate crisis.
Trust Your Instincts and Seek Help
If you feel that something is wrong, it probably is. Ignoring a dental emergency puts your teeth and your overall health at risk. Quick action is the best way to prevent permanent damage and get back to living your life pain-free.
If you are experiencing any of these signs, do not wait. Contact Smyrna Dental Studio immediately. We are here to get you out of pain and back to smiling.
