Emergency Dental Care Explained: What Happens During Your Visit
A dental emergency has a way of stopping you in your tracks. Whether it’s a sudden sharp crack, swelling you can’t ignore, or a throbbing ache that keeps you up at night, dental emergencies often strike when you least expect them. And in those moments, knowing what to do and where to go can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what counts as a dental emergency, what steps to take right away, and what to expect during your visit. We’ll also explain the difference between seeing an emergency dentist and heading to the ER, and how to manage symptoms in the meantime. If you’re in pain or unsure what to do next, this article is here to help you find answers and relief fast.
What is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any oral problem demanding immediate attention, such as uncontrolled bleeding, severe pain, or trauma. In these situations, you need emergency dental care right away. True emergencies include things like a knocked-out tooth, severe abscess, or a bad fracture.
By contrast, routine dental work (for example, cleaning) can wait for a regular dentist’s visit. Uncontrolled bleeding and pain that won’t let up are emergency red flags. In short, if your mouth hurts badly, don’t hesitate to seek care immediately.
What to do in a dental emergency
Your dentist is often the best place to start during a dental emergency. They can give you instructions over the phone or fit you in quickly. When you call, describe the pain and any injury (bleeding, swelling, knocked-out tooth, etc.) in as much detail as possible.
Many dental offices keep time free each day for urgent cases, and many have an after-hours emergency number you can use. If you don’t have a regular dentist or it’s late at night, go to an urgent care clinic or an emergency room. They can at least ease your pain until a dentist is available.
Although the thought of paying for emergency dental treatment might be an additional source of stress and worry, financing and insurance can help cover or lower the cost. Ask your dentist about these options. At Affordable Dentures & Implants, we accept a range of insurance providers and some of our practices also offer financing through ONEderful Finance and CareCredit. We always provide our patients with a customized treatment plan designed for your needs and budget.
Where to go for emergency dental care
In general, an emergency dentist (or your own dentist) is best for most serious dental issues. They are trained to handle tooth pain, broken teeth, abscesses, and other urgent dental issues in their office.
What is considered a dental emergency?
Below are common dental emergencies that require prompt care:
Severe Toothache – Intense, throbbing pain that doesn’t go away with medication.
Cracked or Broken Tooth – A tooth that’s cracked or split, especially if it’s causing pain or sharp edges.
Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsed) – A permanent tooth that has been completely dislodged from the mouth.
Extruded (Partially Dislodged) Tooth – A tooth that has been pushed up, down, or sideways out of its normal position but not fully knocked out.
Dental Abscess – A serious infection near the root of a tooth or in the gums, often visible as a swelling or “pimple” on the gum.
Lost or Broken Dental Restoration – A filling, crown, veneer or other restoration that has fallen out, cracked or broken, causing pain or exposure of the tooth’s interior.
Severe Soft Tissue Injury – Deep cuts, bites, or lacerations to the lips, cheeks, gums or tongue that bleed heavily.
Severe Toothache
A severe, persistent toothache often signals an infection or inflammation inside the tooth. You may feel a constant throbbing pain that worsens with pressure, heat or cold, and it might be accompanied by gum swelling or fever.
First aid for a toothache includes rinsing your mouth with warm water and gently flossing to remove any trapped debris. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) according to instructions and apply a cold compress to the cheek to reduce pain and swelling. Avoid putting any painkiller directly on the tooth or gums (aspirin can burn).
However, you should see a dentist right away. If the pain is very intense or doesn’t improve with home remedies, it’s likely a true emergency. A severe toothache can mean an abscess or that decay has reached the nerve. Prompt dental treatment (often a root canal or tooth extraction) is needed to stop the pain and infection.
Cracked Tooth
Accidents or biting down on hard objects can crack a tooth. You might notice sharp pain, especially when chewing or if air hits the crack, and possibly see pieces of the tooth. If this happens, gather any fragments you can find.
Rinse your mouth and the tooth pieces with warm water (be careful if there’s a sharp edge). Apply gauze to stop any bleeding and hold it there for 10–15 minutes. To ease pain and swelling, put a cold compress on the outside of your mouth or cheek near the injury.
Even if the pain seems manageable, you need dental care quickly. Bacteria can enter through a crack and cause infection. See a dentist the same day if possible. In the meantime, over-the-counter pain relievers can keep you more comfortable.
Knocked-out tooth
A fully knocked out (avulsed) permanent tooth is a true dental emergency. Time is critical: the dentist has the best chance of saving it if it’s re-implanted within about one hour.
Here’s what to do: retrieve the tooth by its top (crown) only, avoiding touching the root. Rinse it gently with water (don’t scrub) to remove dirt. If you can, try to put the tooth back into its socket immediately, making sure it’s facing the right direction. Bite down on a clean cloth or gauze to keep it in place, but don’t force it.
If reinserting isn’t possible, preserve the tooth by placing it in a container of cold milk or saltwater. (There are also commercial products like Save-A-Tooth® for this purpose.) Then seek emergency dental care immediately, ideally within 30–60 minutes. Even if the tooth can’t be saved, the dentist will help plan replacement options and prevent complications.
Extruded (partially dislodged) tooth
A tooth that’s been partially knocked loose (but not completely out) should be treated as an emergency too. The tooth may look pushed up or out of line. Do not try to force it back in yourself, as you could cause more damage.
Call your dentist and get in immediately. While waiting, apply a cold pack to your face to control pain and swelling, and take OTC pain medication if needed. Gentle biting pressure (with gauze) might help keep the tooth from moving more, but the dentist will need to stabilize and possibly splint it.
Dental abscess
A dental abscess is a serious infection that forms a pus-filled pocket at the tip of a tooth root or in the gums. It often feels like a severe toothache plus swelling. You might notice a swollen bump on the gum, fever, or a bad taste from drainage. Left untreated, abscesses can spread infection to the face, jaw, or bloodstream, which is dangerous.
If you suspect an abscess, seek dental care urgently. While waiting, you can rinse your mouth several times a day with warm salt water (about ½ teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of water). This can help ease pain and pull the infection toward the surface.
Do not try to puncture or pop the abscess yourself. Your dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics and drain the abscess. Even if the pain is moderate now, an abscess is considered an emergency because of the risk of the infection spreading.
Lost or broken dental restoration
If a filling, crown, veneer or other restoration is lost or breaks, the exposed area of your tooth may become very sensitive. This counts as an emergency because the inner tooth can be exposed to bacteria.
Rinse your mouth with water and save any pieces of the restoration. You can temporarily fill the hole with a bit of sugar-free gum or an over-the-counter dental cement (available at pharmacies). Avoid chewing on that side and try to keep the area clean.
Pain relievers can help with any discomfort, and a cold compress can reduce swelling if there is any. Call your dentist as soon as possible to have the restoration replaced or repaired. Leaving the tooth unprotected increases the risk of further damage or infection.
Severe soft tissue injury
Serious cuts or lacerations inside the mouth – on the lips, cheeks, tongue or gums – can bleed a lot and cause pain. They often accompany trauma (e.g., a fall or a sports injury). Treat soft-tissue injuries immediately to prevent heavy bleeding or infection.
Rinse your mouth with a mild salt-water solution to keep it clean. Then, using a clean, damp piece of gauze (or a tea bag), apply firm pressure directly on the wound for 15–20 minutes. (The tannic acid in black tea can help the blood clot.) A cold compress on the outside of the mouth will help reduce swelling and pain.
If bleeding continues after 20 minutes or is very heavy, you need urgent care – visit an emergency room or call emergency services right away. Otherwise, see a dentist promptly to check if stitches are needed or if there’s any hidden injury (like a tooth chipped under the tissue).
Managing Tooth Pain & Other Symptoms Before Your Appointment
Here are some immediate steps you can take until you reach the dentist or hospital. These first-aid steps can reduce pain, but they do not solve the underlying problem. Prompt dental treatment is key to saving teeth and stopping infection.
Control Bleeding
If there’s bleeding, rinse your mouth gently with clean water. Then bite down firmly on gauze or a clean cloth for 10–15 minutes to help form a clot. A moist tea bag works too – tannic acid can help slow bleeding. Change the gauze if it becomes soaked. If bleeding doesn’t stop or is very heavy, go to the ER right away.
Ease Pain and Swelling
Use a cold compress or ice pack on your cheek (10–15 minutes on, then off) to numb pain and reduce swelling. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen (following the label). Never place aspirin or any medication directly on the gums or teeth, as it can burn the tissue. A cold compress and pain meds can buy you time.
Save Any Tooth Fragments
If a piece of tooth or a filling has broken off, keep it and bring it with you. Clean it under water and store it safely (some dentists recommend a container with a little milk). Pieces can sometimes be reattached by the dentist.
Also, if a permanent (adult) tooth gets knocked out, hold it by the crown (the white part – not the root), rinse the root gently, and try to slip it back into the socket facing the right way. If you can’t reinsert it, keep it in milk or a tooth-preserving solution. See a dentist immediately. A tooth has the best chance of survival if re-implanted within an hour.
Cover Sharp Edges
If a tooth is chipped or cracked, use dental wax or a piece of sugarless gum to cover any sharp edge that might cut your tongue or cheek. This will help you stay comfortable until you see the dentist.
Clean the Area
Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water to clean any debris and ease pain. If something is stuck between your teeth, try to floss it out (do not poke around with sharp objects). A clean mouth helps prevent infection.
When should I go to the ER for tooth pain?
Go to an ER (or call 911) only for life-threatening or severe cases. The emergency room is equipped for major trauma and medical emergencies, not routine dental work. You should head straight to the ER if you experience any of the following red flags:
Suspected facial or jaw fracture: A broken jaw or facial bones (for example, from a car crash or severe fall) is a medical emergency. Go to the ER or call 911 if you see crooked teeth/jaw, can’t close your mouth properly, or have facial deformity.
Uncontrolled bleeding: If you have a deep cut in your lip, tongue or cheek that won’t stop bleeding with pressure, or if bleeding after a tooth extraction or injury is profuse, get to the ER immediately.
Signs of serious infection: Swelling that spreads to your neck or causes trouble breathing or swallowing.
Severe trauma or accompanying injury: If you were injured in a significant accident or assault involving the face or head, it’s safer to go to the hospital. The ER can check for concussion or head injuries that a dentist cannot.
No dentist available: Finally, if you have excruciating pain and your dentist’s office is closed or unavailable, the ER or an urgent care clinic can at least stabilize you. They can give you strong pain medication or start IV fluids to help until you get to a dentist.
If none of the above red flags are present (for instance, if you have a severe toothache, an abscessed tooth, a partially displaced tooth, or an emergency restoration issue), calling your dentist or going to an emergency dental clinic is usually the right step. Remember, an ER visit for dental pain is typically only a temporary fix: they can’t do root canals or fillings. But they can relieve severe pain and swelling in a pinch.
What can an emergency room do for a toothache?
An ER’s tools for tooth pain are limited. They cannot perform dental procedures (no fillings, root canals or tooth extraction unless a dentist happens to be on call). What they can do is manage severe pain and infection.
ER staff can numb the pain and treat the infection, but once you leave the hospital you’ll need to follow up with your dentist for definitive treatment. In short, a trip to the ER can help you stay comfortable and safe (for example, they can keep an infection from spreading), but it’s not a replacement for dental care.
Conclusion
We understand that dental emergencies can be frightening and painful. The good news is you don’t have to face this alone. Prompt treatment is crucial. Unattended emergencies can lead to more damage or serious infection. When in doubt, seek care immediately.
Find your nearest Affordable Dentures & Implants clinic for fast, compassionate emergency dental care. These skilled dentists are trained to relieve pain and handle urgent dental issues quickly, so you can get back to feeling better. Remember, acting fast can save your tooth and relieve your pain. If you’re in distress, don’t wait, reach out for emergency help right away. Your smile and health are worth it.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-toothache/basics/art-20056628
https://www.dentalhealth.org/cracked-teeth
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mouth/dental-abscess/
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/repairing-a-chipped-or-broken-tooth