When you have a bloody mouth, you may wonder if you are in need of an emergency dentist. If you can control the bleeding, then odds are that with some minor oral care at home, you won't need to go to the dentist. However, if there are other issues or concerns alongside your bleeding mouth, emergency dental care may be necessary.

When in doubt, call for emergency services or call your dentist to see if they can give you some emergency dental care. Otherwise, follow this guide to help you determine whether you need emergency dental care or if you can wait to schedule a dental appointment as soon as you can be seen.

Your bleeding won't stop

Bleeding in the mouth that won't stop may require stitches and more emergency care. If you have braces or have experienced an impact injury, your mouth may be cut. Call your dentist to see if they can perform emergency dental care, provided you are not experiencing serious blood loss and other serious issues such as lightheadedness or fainting. Your emergency dentist may be able to stitch your mouth if the injury is inside your mouth and will also check your teeth to ensure they are not wiggling, loose, or broken.

Your teeth feel loose or cracked

Bleeding in the mouth is often accompanied by dental injuries. You may not notice right away that you have injured gums or teeth, but if you feel like your teeth have been slammed together, or they feel cracked or loose or you are actively missing a tooth, you need to call an emergency dentist right away. A loose or slightly wiggling tooth may wriggle itself back into place, but a cracked or chipped tooth will not get better on its own. You will need to have your emergency dentist check to make sure you don't have more seriously injured dentin, and they will make repairs as needed.

You may get temporary crowns to fix cracked or chipped or even broken teeth, then get a permanent tooth when swelling has gone down. Your dentist will want to take X-rays in addition to doing an oral exam to ensure your oral health is in check and that they have caught everything that may be related to your bleeding mouth injury.

If you feel you have injured your teeth or gums in any way, call your emergency dentist, even if you have your bleeding mouth under control. Your dentist will be able to help you keep your oral health in check.

Contact an emergency dentist to learn more.