Emergency tooth injuries can vary from a slight toothache to swelling, jaw aches, a broken filling or broken tooth, a knocked out tooth or a broken dental appliance.

It is important to know exactly what a tooth emergency is, however. Experts say that skipping the emergency room when you have an oral problem is probably more efficient. The emergency room will give you medicine and still send you to the dentist.

Those at Delmarva Dental Services provide hours on Saturdays for emergencies and will respond to certain cases on off hours.

A knocked out tooth is a dental emergency because you must have the tooth put back in within 2 hours of it falling out. Jaw pain and/or swelling could be a significant problem and should also be addressed right away or as soon as possible.

Things like a filling that fell out is less time sensitive and can be dealt with by making an appointment with your dentist.

One of the best ways to prevent tooth injury is to not use your teeth as tools. Don’t open things with them, don’t break plastic tags off with your teeth, and don’t chew ice.