Dental Emergencies
If you have a life-threatening or severe injury, call 911 or go directly to the nearest hospital emergency room.
We can treat a variety of traumatic dental injuries, including teeth that have been chipped, moved, or knocked out entirely.
Please call our office for assistance.
What is a dental emergency?
Dental emergencies refer to urgent situations involving the teeth, gums, or oral tissues that require immediate attention from a dentist. These emergencies can include severe toothaches, knocked-out or broken teeth, injuries to the gums or jaw, and sudden swelling or infection.
Prompt intervention is crucial to alleviate pain, prevent further damage, and address potential complications. If experiencing a dental emergency, seek professional care promptly to ensure the best possible outcome for oral health.
Most of the time we can get you in same-day, but in the event we cannot we will provide you with at-home relief instructions and medication if necessary to alleviate pain.
What is considered a dental emergency?
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Severe toothache.
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Badly cracked tooth.
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Extruded (partially dislodged) tooth.
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Dental abscess (swelling of your face and jaw).
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Lost or broken dental restoration.
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Severe soft tissue injury (like a busted lip or deep cut).
How you can manage each of these dental emergencies until you see your dentist:
Severe toothache
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​First, thoroughly rinse your mouth with warm water. Use dental floss to remove any lodged food. If your mouth is swollen, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek. Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, naproxen or ibuprofen. (Never put aspirin or any other painkillers against your gums or tooth because it may burn your gum tissue.) See your dentist as soon as possible.
Cracked tooth
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Save and rinse any broken pieces of your tooth. Rinse your mouth with warm water. If there’s bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to the area for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth, cheek or lip near your broken/chipped tooth to relieve pain and keep any swelling down. See your dentist as soon as possible.
Knocked-out tooth
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Retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown (the part that’s usually visible above your gums) and rinse off the tooth root with water if its dirty. Don’t scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, try to put your tooth back in its socket. Make sure it’s facing the right way. If it’s not possible to reinsert your tooth in its socket, put your tooth in a small container of milk or inside your mouth. In all cases, see your dentist as quickly as possible. Your dentist has the best chance of saving a knocked-out tooth when it’s returned to its socket within one hour.
Dental abscess
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A dental abscess is a painful collection of pus that forms within a tooth or in the surrounding tissues due to a bacterial infection. It typically arises from untreated dental decay or a severe gum infection. The risks associated with a dental abscess include the potential spread of infection to other parts of the body, leading to serious complications. If left untreated, a dental abscess can result in systemic infections, damage to surrounding teeth and bone, and in rare cases, it may even become life-threatening. Immediate dental attention is essential to drain the abscess, eliminate the infection, and prevent further health risks.
Lost or broken dental restoration
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It´s a common dental emergency where a filling, crown, bridge, or other dental prosthetics becomes damaged or dislodged. This can expose sensitive tooth structures, leading to discomfort and vulnerability. Seeking prompt dental attention is crucial to repair or replace the restoration, preventing further damage to the affected tooth and ensuring the continuity of proper oral function.
Severe soft tissue injury
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Severe mucosal injuries in dentistry refer to significant damage to the soft tissues inside the mouth, such as the gums, cheeks, or tongue. These injuries can result from accidents, trauma, or irritation caused by dental appliances. Immediate attention is essential to assess the extent of the injury, control bleeding, and promote proper healing.
