Dental emergency? What to do in the first hour
Step-by-step first aid for toothaches, broken teeth, knocked-out teeth and swelling, and when to head to the ER instead.
Dr. Maya Okafor, DDS, FAGDFounder and general dentist
Dental emergencies never happen at a convenient time. A cracked molar at a Saturday cookout, a soccer ball to the mouth or a toothache that wakes you at 2 am can feel overwhelming. Knowing what to do in the first hour can relieve pain and, in some cases, save a tooth.
Keep this guide handy, and remember that our team holds same-day emergency openings every weekday morning. After hours, our main line connects you to the on-call doctor.
Knocked-out adult tooth
Time matters most here. A knocked-out permanent tooth has the best chance of surviving if it is back in the socket within 60 minutes.
- Pick the tooth up by the crown, the part you chew with. Avoid touching the root.
- If it is dirty, rinse it gently with milk or water for a few seconds. Do not scrub it.
- Try to place it back in the socket and have the person bite gently on a clean cloth.
- If that is not possible, store it in a small cup of milk or inside the cheek of an adult who will not swallow it.
- Call us immediately and come straight in.
Broken or chipped tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water and save any pieces you can find. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling. If there is a sharp edge, a small piece of sugar-free gum or dental wax can protect your tongue until you are seen.
Pain when breathing in cold air or a pink spot in the center of the break suggests the nerve is exposed, so call right away.
Severe toothache
Rinse with warm salt water and gently floss around the tooth in case something is stuck. An over-the-counter pain reliever taken as directed on the package can help. Do not place aspirin directly on the gum, which can burn the tissue.
Throbbing pain, pain that wakes you up or pain with a bad taste often signals an infection. Those need a dentist soon, not in a few weeks.
Swelling or an abscess
A pimple-like bump on the gum, swelling in the jaw or a fever with tooth pain can mean an abscess. Rinse with salt water and call us the same day. Antibiotics may be needed, along with treatment to remove the source of infection.
If swelling makes it hard to breathe or swallow, skip the phone call and go to the nearest emergency room.
Lost crown or filling
Keep the crown and call us. A dab of temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can hold it in place for a day or two, but never use household glue. Avoid chewing on that side until you are seen.
Preventing the next emergency
Many emergencies trace back to small problems that were not causing pain yet, such as a cracked filling or early decay. Regular checkups catch those early. If you or your kids play contact sports, a custom mouthguard is one of the least expensive ways to protect a smile.
Save our number in your phone today. When something happens, you will be glad you did.
This article is general information, not medical or dental advice. Talk to your dentist about your specific situation.
