An estimated 90 percent of Americans experience dental problems at some point based on recent reports from the medical sector. Those can range from cavities and sores in the mouth to severe toothaches and gum disease. Some people panic over minor issues, automatically assuming they're signs of serious problems. Others ignore problems that require immediate attention and ultimately regret that decision later on. Understanding which dental issues are considered emergencies can help you avoid going to either extreme. Severe Toothaches Severe toothaches are certainly considered dental emergencies. They're overbearing, and they can interfere with your daily life. Beyond that, teeth only hurt if something is wrong. In most cases, a serious toothache is a sign of an infection. That infection isn't going to go away on its own. It'll continue to get worse and may spread from the gums to other areas of the body, like the sinus cavities, face, and heart. Don't try to power thr...