Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is extremely common. Most people experience it occasionally, especially after eating certain foods, waking up in the morning, or going for a long period without brushing.

However, persistent bad breath can sometimes be a sign that something needs attention.

The good news is that in many cases, bad breath can be improved with some simple changes to your oral hygiene routine. When the problem continues despite good oral hygiene, it may be worth discussing with your dentist.

Contact a dentist promptly for a completely knocked-out permanent tooth, significant facial swelling, severe or worsening tooth pain, a suspected dental infection or abscess, significant dental trauma, a cracked or fractured tooth, or bleeding that does not stop after a dental procedure. Seek emergency medical attention if swelling is affecting breathing or swallowing, is rapidly progressing, or if significant bleeding cannot be controlled.

Knowing how to respond can help relieve discomfort, prevent additional damage, and, in some situations, improve the chances of saving a natural tooth.

Below are some of the most common dental emergencies and what you should do if one occurs.

If you need urgent dental care in Arden or the greater Asheville area, call WNC Dental at (828) 684-1288 and describe what is happening. Our dental team can help you understand how quickly you should be seen. You can also learn more about our emergency dental care in Asheville, NC.

Injuries to the teeth and mouth can happen from falls, sports injuries, accidents, or other impacts. Trauma can result in a chipped tooth, a broken tooth, a tooth that has become loose, or a tooth that has been completely knocked out.

A completely knocked-out permanent tooth is a dental emergency, and time is very important.

If possible:

The sooner a knocked-out permanent tooth can be treated, the better the chance of successfully saving it. Ideally, treatment should occur as soon as possible, preferably within the first hour.

If a baby tooth is knocked out, do not attempt to put it back into the socket. Contact your dentist for instructions.

If the entire tooth has not come out and only the visible portion of the tooth – the coronal portion – has chipped or broken, bring the broken piece with you to your dental appointment.

The chipped piece does not need to be stored in milk. Simply keep it in a clean container and bring it with you.

Depending on the size and location of the fracture, your dentist may be able to use the broken piece as part of the treatment, although this is not always possible.

For patients looking for fast results, professional in-office whitening is an excellent option. During your appointment, a highly concentrated whitening gel is carefully applied while your gums and soft tissues are protected. Many patients notice a dramatic improvement after a single visit, although individual results vary.

However, whitening is rarely a one-and-done treatment. Even after an in-office whitening session, we may recommend a take-home whitening system with custom trays to continue improving the result and help maintain your brighter smile over time. The combination of in-office treatment followed by take-home whitening often provides the best and longest-lasting outcome for suitable patients.

Cracked teeth can be particularly frustrating because the crack may not always be visible. One of the most common symptoms of a cracked tooth is pain when biting down, sometimes followed by pain when you release your bite.

You may also experience sensitivity to cold, sweets, or pressure. In some cases, the symptoms may come and go, making it difficult to identify which tooth is causing the problem.

A cracked tooth should be evaluated by your dentist. The appropriate treatment depends on the location and severity of the crack and whether the nerve inside the tooth has been affected.

Treatment may include:

If you suspect that you have a cracked tooth, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and contact your dentist. Depending on the damage, treatment may involve restorative dental care or a dental crown

A dental infection occurs when bacteria enter the tooth or surrounding tissues. An infection can develop from untreated decay, a crack or fracture, trauma, or other problems affecting the tooth.

Symptoms can include:

If you suspect that you have a dental infection, you should see your dentist as soon as possible.

The most important part of treating a dental infection is addressing its source. Depending on the condition of the tooth, this may involve root canal treatment, extraction, or another dental procedure designed to eliminate the source of the infection.

Antibiotics alone generally do not eliminate the underlying dental problem. They may be necessary in certain situations, particularly when an infection has begun to spread or is accompanied by swelling or systemic symptoms, but the source of the infection still needs to be addressed by a dentist.

Facial swelling associated with a dental problem should be evaluated by a dentist as soon as possible.

If you cannot reach your dentist or cannot be seen promptly, seek care at an urgent care center or emergency department. They may be able to provide antibiotics when appropriate to help control the infection until you can receive definitive dental treatment.

Seek emergency medical attention immediately if swelling is causing difficulty breathing or swallowing, significant difficulty opening your mouth, or is rapidly progressing.

Some bleeding is normal after procedures such as tooth extractions and other types of oral surgery. Usually, bleeding can be controlled by applying firm, continuous pressure with gauze.

If bleeding continues after a procedure:

Place clean gauze directly over the area and bite down firmly and continuously for at least 15-20 minutes.

It is important not to repeatedly remove the gauze to check the area. Every time the gauze is removed, you can potentially disturb the developing blood clot.

If the gauze becomes saturated, replace it with fresh gauze and continue applying firm pressure.

If bleeding continues despite firm pressure with gauze, a regular black tea bag can sometimes help.

Moisten the tea bag slightly with water, squeeze out excess moisture, and place it directly over the area. Bite down firmly to maintain pressure.

Black tea contains tannins, natural compounds that can help promote constriction of blood vessels and support the formation of a blood clot. The combination of the tannins and firm pressure can sometimes help control bleeding when gauze alone has not been sufficient.

If bleeding continues despite these measures, contact your dentist or dental office for further instructions.

If your dentist is unavailable and the bleeding is significant or cannot be controlled, go to the emergency department for evaluation and treatment.

If you take blood-thinning medications or have a condition that affects your ability to clot, make sure your dental team is aware, as this can affect how bleeding is managed.

Not every toothache is an emergency, but severe, persistent, or worsening dental pain should not be ignored.

Pain can be caused by tooth decay, a cracked tooth, inflammation or infection of the nerve, gum disease, trauma, or other dental conditions.

Contact your dentist if you experience:

While waiting to be seen, you may be able to use an over-the-counter pain reliever if it is safe for you to take. Avoid placing aspirin directly against the tooth or gums, as it can irritate the surrounding tissues.

Fillings, crowns, bridges, and other restorations can occasionally become loose or fall out.

Although this is not always a true emergency, you should contact your dentist to have the tooth evaluated. A tooth without its restoration may be more vulnerable to sensitivity, fracture, or additional damage.

If a crown has fallen off, save the crown and bring it with you to your appointment. Do not attempt to permanently glue a restoration back onto your tooth using household glue or other non-dental adhesives.

Until you can be seen, avoid chewing on the affected side if the tooth is sensitive or feels vulnerable. Learn more about how WNC Dental restores damaged teeth with crowns and bridges and composite fillings.

The right first step depends on the problem, but a few simple measures can reduce the chance of making things worse while you arrange care:

When in doubt, it is always appropriate to contact your dental office and describe what is happening. Your dental team can help determine how quickly you need to be seen.

Dental emergencies that generally warrant prompt evaluation include:

The goal of emergency dental care is not simply to relieve pain. It is also to identify and treat the underlying cause of the problem before it becomes more serious.