Nobody wants to find themselves in a dental emergency, but unfortunately, accidents can happen at any time. In the event that you are in a dental emergency, having the name and number of a 24-hour emergency dentist readily on-hand is a must. After all, prompt treatment is a must to prevent further damage or complications to your health. Not sure if you need an emergency dentist? Consider a few of the most common dental emergencies that occur on a daily basis.

You've Lost an Adult Tooth

The sudden loss of an adult tooth can be very stressful, especially if there is a lot of blood and pain involved. This should always be treated as a dental emergency because, if you act quickly enough, an experienced dentist may be able to save the tooth. If possible, retrieve the tooth and do not clean it off; instead, keep it in a cup of water and take it with you to the dentist. This will preserve any tissue or roots from the tooth that could help the dentist save it.

You Have Severe Jaw Pain and a Fever

Jaw pain accompanied by a fever is a sign of a severe dental problem known as an abscess. This occurs when a bacterial infection from a decayed tooth creates a pocket of pus near the root of the tooth. This leads to serious pain and will need immediate treatment from a dentist in order to drain the pus, treat the infection, and potentially save the tooth.

You've Lost a Filling

Fillings are meant to last a lifetime, but this isn't always the case--especially if you like to eat sticky or crunchy foods. If you've lost a filling of any size, see a dentist right away to have it fixed. The last thing you want is for your tooth to be subjected to further decay while you wait for a dentist to see you. In the meantime, you can buy temporary dental filling material from a local pharmacy to protect the tooth.

Your Tooth Has Cracked or Chipped

Cracked and chipped teeth can create serious problems (such as tooth decay or tooth loss) if not treated quickly, so be sure to see a dentist right away--even if your cracked or chipped tooth is not accompanied by any pain. More than likely, a dentist will be able to seal or otherwise repair the chip/crack in a painless and relatively quick procedure.