A dental emergency can occur without warning. Often, you or your kids need emergency dental care due to an accident like an errant blow to the face while playing a sport. Usually, though, you require emergency dental attention after biting down on something — like an ice cube, nut, hard candy or pen — that causes tooth pain.

You may not know what qualifies as a dental emergency. Is it serious or will it pass after a little while? If the pain is minimal but consistent, you may be fine until the next day when you can see your dentist. But sometimes, the resulting pain in your gums, teeth or jaw are so intense that you have no choice but to seek immediate treatment.

Waiting too long to address your pain may complicate your dental emergency. And it’s unnecessary when you can get 24-hour emergency dental care.