Dental emergencies sound like something that might be self-explanatory; they’re just emergencies that happen with your teeth, right? That said, what constitutes a dental emergency, and what doesn’t?

When you look closer, it can actually be a little bit difficult to answer these questions, which is why trying to understand whether you should schedule an emergency appointment when you’re in pain is such a hassle. If you want to know a little bit more about dental emergencies, here’s a guide to what they are and what’s commonly done to treat them.

In the U.S., tooth decay is the most common chronic health condition there is in both children and adults. Lots of people have cavities, and many of them get fillings to repair them.

However, no filling can last forever, and yours could fall out for a variety of reasons. If that happens to you, here are the next steps you should take.