It’s 11 PM on a Saturday night in Lakewood, and you’re experiencing severe tooth pain. Your first instinct might be to head to the emergency room at MultiCare Tacoma General or St. Joseph Medical Center. But here’s something most people don’t know: hospital emergency rooms are not equipped to handle most dental emergencies, and you could end up with a hefty bill and no real solution to your dental problem.
At Emergency Dental Services of Washington, we’ve treated thousands of Lakewood patients who wasted hours in the ER only to be told to ‘see a dentist on Monday.’ The reality is that for most dental emergencies—from severe toothaches to knocked-out teeth—an emergency dentist, not an ER doctor, is your best and most cost-effective option.
In this guide, we’ll explain what qualifies as a dental emergency, when you should call an emergency dentist versus going to the ER, what to do while waiting for treatment, and why having access to a 7-day-a-week emergency dental office in Lakewood can save you time, money, and your teeth.”
Section 1: “What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?”
- Knocked-out (avulsed) tooth—time-sensitive, requires immediate care within 30-60 minutes
- Severe toothache indicating infection or abscess
- Broken or fractured tooth with sharp edges or exposed nerve
- Dental abscess with visible swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing
- Uncontrolled bleeding from mouth or gums
- Jaw injury, dislocation, or suspected fracture
- Lost filling or crown causing severe pain
- Orthodontic wire or bracket causing injury to soft tissue
- Foreign object stuck between teeth that won’t come out
Include statistics: “According to the American Dental Association, over 2 million Americans visit the ER for dental problems annually, yet only 10% of these cases truly require hospital-level care.”
Section 2: “Emergency Dentist vs. Emergency Room: When to Go Where”
Visit an Emergency Dentist for:
- All tooth-related pain and infections
- Broken, chipped, or cracked teeth
- Knocked-out teeth
- Lost fillings or crowns
- Dental abscesses (unless life-threatening)
- Soft tissue injuries inside the mouth
- Orthodontic emergencies
Go to the ER if:
- Jaw fracture or dislocation from serious trauma
- Uncontrollable bleeding that won’t stop after 15 minutes of pressure
- Abscess causing difficulty breathing or swallowing (airway compromise)
- Severe facial trauma with possible head injury
- Facial swelling affecting eyes or causing severe pain
The Cost Difference: “An ER visit for a dental problem can cost $500-3,000+ with minimal treatment—usually just pain medication and antibiotics. The same emergency treated at our Lakewood dental office typically costs $150-800 and actually solves the problem. Plus, ER doctors can’t perform dental procedures like extractions, root canals, or repairs.”
Section 3: “Immediate Actions for Common Dental Emergencies”
Knocked-Out Tooth:
- Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown only
- Rinse gently—don’t scrub or remove tissue
- Try to reinsert it in the socket if possible
- If not, store in milk or saliva
- Call us immediately—time is critical!
Severe Toothache:
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Gently floss to remove trapped food
- Apply cold compress to outside of cheek
- Take over-the-counter pain reliever
- Avoid hot, cold, or sweet foods
- Call for same-day appointment
Broken Tooth:
- Save any pieces if possible
- Rinse mouth with warm water
- Apply gauze if bleeding
- Use cold compress for swelling
- Take pain medication
- Call for emergency repair
Dental Abscess:
- Rinse with salt water multiple times
- Never try to drain it yourself
- Take pain reliever (avoid aspirin on gums)
- Call immediately—infections spread quickly
- Seek ER care if difficulty breathing/swallowing
Section 4: “Why Lakewood Needs 7-Day Emergency Dental Care”
“Living near Joint Base Lewis-McChord means our community includes military families who may experience dental emergencies at any time. Add in Lakewood’s active population—from youth sports at Fort Steilacoom Park to weekend activities at Lakewood Towne Center—and accidents happen outside of typical business hours.
That’s why Emergency Dental Services of Washington operates seven days a week, 9 AM to 9 PM, including holidays. Whether you’re in Parkland, Spanaway, University Place, or on JBLM, you can reach our Bridgeport Way location in minutes when disaster strikes.”
Section 5: “What to Expect at Our Lakewood Emergency Dental Office”
- Same-day appointments (often within hours)
- Digital X-rays for accurate diagnosis
- Pain relief as priority #1
- Comprehensive treatment options explained
- Most procedures completed same visit
- Sedation options for anxious patients
- Flexible payment and financing
- Insurance accepted
Conclusion: “Dental emergencies are stressful enough without the added confusion of not knowing where to go. Remember: for tooth-related emergencies, call an emergency dentist first. Hospital ERs should be reserved for life-threatening situations involving breathing, uncontrollable bleeding, or serious trauma.
At Emergency Dental Services of Washington in Lakewood, we’re equipped, experienced, and ready to handle your dental emergency when you need us most. Don’t spend hours in an ER waiting room when expert dental care is available seven days a week right here in Lakewood. Save our number: +1 206 853 3458—because emergencies don’t wait for Monday morning.”
Experiencing a dental emergency right now? Call +1 206 853 3458 or book online. We’re open today and ready to help.