Emergency Dentistry

Dental emergencies can be painful or even threaten the health of your teeth and gums. Knowing what to do can help reduce discomfort, prevent further damage, and save teeth. When in doubt, contact our office immediately – waiting can make problems worse.

Common Dental Emergencies and What to Do:

Toothache

• Can indicate decay, infection, or trauma.
• Rinse your mouth with warm water, floss gently to remove any trapped food, and take over-the-counter pain relief if needed.
• Call our office promptly to evaluate the cause and treat the tooth before it worsens.

Swelling / Abscess

• Swelling in the gums, face, or jaw may indicate infection.
• Rinse with warm salt water and take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed.
• Seek care immediately — dental abscesses can spread and become serious if untreated.

Broken or Chipped Tooth

• Rinse your mouth with warm water.
• Save any broken pieces if possible.
• Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and call our office to schedule an urgent visit.

Lost Filling or Crown

• If possible, place the crown or filling back on the tooth using temporary dental cement, which can be purchased at the pharmacy, as a temporary measure.
• Avoid chewing on the affected tooth and call us for prompt repair.

Knocked-Out or Loose Tooth

• If a permanent tooth is knocked out, hold it by the crown (not the root), rinse gently, and try to reinsert it if possible.
• Keep it moist in milk or saliva and get to our office immediately, quick action can save the tooth.
• Loose teeth from trauma need immediate evaluation to prevent further damage.

Tongue or Lip Lacerations

• Minor cuts can often be rinsed with water and monitored for healing.
• If bleeding is heavy, does not stop, or is accompanied by other injuries, go to the emergency room immediately.