What To Do in a Dental Emergency: Your Quick Action Guide

Dr. Stephen Fabiano
6 days ago
4 min read

TL;DR

Stay calm
Protect the tooth or area
Avoid home remedies that can cause damage
Call your dentist right away
Fast action can save a tooth and prevent bigger problems

A dental emergency can turn a perfectly normal day into a bit of chaos.

One minute you’re fine and the next you’re holding a chipped tooth after a softball game or dealing with a sudden, throbbing toothache that seems to show up only at night or on weekends.

While these moments can feel overwhelming, the steps you take right away can make a huge difference.

Let’s walk through the most common dental emergencies, how to handle them, and when to get help.

What counts as a real dental emergency

A dental emergency is anything that needs immediate attention so nothing gets worse.

People often assume a problem has to be dramatic to be considered an emergency, but that isn’t necessarily true. Severe pain, a tooth that breaks or falls out, uncontrollable bleeding, or swelling that affects your ability to breathe or swallow all count.

If you’re ever unsure, it’s always better to call your dentist so we can help you decide what to do next.

If breathing or swallowing becomes difficult, skip the call and go straight to the ER.

Severe toothache

Tooth pain can come out of nowhere and it usually means something is going on beneath the surface.

Start by gently rinsing your mouth with warm water and see if flossing helps remove anything stuck between your teeth. If your cheek looks puffy, a cold compress can calm the swelling until you can be seen.

Over the counter pain medication is fine for temporary relief, but avoid placing aspirin directly on the gums. It seems like a quick fix, but it can burn the tissue and make things worse.

A toothache is a sign that the tooth needs attention, so the next step is to call and get an appointment scheduled as soon as possible.

A cracked or chipped tooth

A small chip might not hurt at all at first, but it still needs to be looked at because cracks can grow quickly.

Rinse your mouth to keep the area clean and avoid chewing on that side. If the injury caused bleeding, you can apply gentle pressure with gauze until it stops. A cold compress can help with swelling and tenderness.

Contact a dentist as soon as you can. The sooner a cracked tooth is treated, the more options you have for preserving it.

A knocked out tooth

A tooth getting knocked out can feel like a full panic moment, but fast action gives the best chance of saving the tooth.

Pick the tooth up by the crown (the part you normally see when you smile). Try not to touch the root. If it looks dirty, give it a quick, gentle rinse with water without scrubbing anything.

If you can, place the tooth back in the socket and bite down lightly on a clean cloth to hold it in place.

If you can’t reinsert it, keep the tooth in a small container of milk or tuck it gently between your cheek and gums. Time is important here. Teeth have the highest survival rate if they are reimplanted within about an hour, so call your dentist immediately.

A tooth that is partially dislodged

Sometimes a tooth doesn’t get knocked out completely. It may feel loose, shifted, or pushed out of place.

If this happens, try not to wiggle it or force it back into position. Leave it as is, use a cold compress for comfort, and get to the dentist right away.

Dental abscess

An abscess is an infection around the root of a tooth or in the gums and it’s something that should be taken seriously.

It can cause swelling, throbbing pain, fever, or a bump on the gum that looks like a pimple.

A warm salt water rinse can help bring temporary relief, but an abscess needs professional treatment. It will NOT heal on its own and can spread if ignored, so call your dentist as soon as you notice symptoms.

Lost filling or crown

Fillings and crowns can fall out at inconvenient times, usually while you’re eating something chewy or crunchy.

If a filling pops out, keeping the area clean is the main priority until you can see a dentist. Some people use a bit of sugar free gum or temporary dental cement to cover the spot for a short period.

If a crown comes off, clean the inside and place it back onto the tooth using dental cement, toothpaste, or denture adhesive. Do NOT use super glue.

Once it’s secured, call your dentist so it can be properly reattached.

How to avoid dental emergencies

While you can’t prevent every accident, creating a few healthy habits can go a long way.

Wearing a mouthguard during sports, skipping ice and hard candies, avoiding using your teeth to open packages, and seeing your dentist regularly are all simple ways to reduce your chances of ending up in an urgent situation.

Common questions

What should I do if my child knocks out a baby tooth?

Do not reinsert the tooth. Baby teeth are not put back in. Call your dentist so we can make sure the surrounding area is healthy and nothing else was injured.