When a tooth gets knocked out on the soccer field or a toothache wakes you at 2 a.m., it's hard to think clearly. That's completely normal. This guide walks you through the most common dental emergencies one at a time, so you know what to do right now — and when it's safer to head to the emergency room instead.
First, Is It Really a Dental Emergency?
A true dental emergency is anything involving severe pain, uncontrolled bleeding, trauma to a tooth, or signs of infection like swelling and fever. These need attention within hours, not days. Issues like a small chip with no pain, mild sensitivity, or a loose retainer are urgent-but-not-emergencies — call us, and we'll usually see you within a day or two.
When in doubt, call. It costs nothing to ask, and our front desk team is trained to help you decide.
Common Dental Emergencies and What to Do First
A Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
This is the most time-sensitive emergency in dentistry. A knocked-out tooth re-implanted within 30–60 minutes has a real chance of being saved.
- Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (the white chewing part) — never the root.
- If it's dirty, rinse it gently with milk or water for a few seconds. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue.
- Try to place it back in the socket and bite down softly on gauze or a clean cloth to hold it in place.
- If you can't re-insert it, keep it moist — in a cup of cold milk, saliva, or tucked inside your cheek (adults only).
- Call us immediately and head to the office. Minutes matter.
Note for parents: knocked-out baby teeth should not be re-inserted — it can damage the developing adult tooth underneath. Still call us so we can check for other injuries.
Severe Toothache
Tooth pain that keeps you awake, throbs with your heartbeat, or makes chewing impossible usually means infection or nerve involvement — and it won't go away on its own.
- Rinse with warm salt water and gently floss to remove any trapped food.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed on the label.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek in 15-minute intervals.
- Never place aspirin directly on the gum — it burns the tissue and makes things worse.
Cracked, Chipped, or Broken Tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water and save any large pieces in milk or water. Apply a cold compress to limit swelling. If a sharp edge is cutting your tongue or cheek, cover it with dental wax or sugar-free gum until we can see you. Even painless fractures should be checked — cracks can travel toward the nerve over time.
Lost Crown or Filling
Keep the crown if you have it. You can protect the exposed tooth temporarily with over-the-counter dental cement from a pharmacy (avoid household glue — always). Sensitivity is normal; sharp, spontaneous pain is not. Either way, call us within a day or two so the tooth doesn't shift or decay further.
Abscess or Facial Swelling
A pimple-like bump on the gums, a bad taste, fever, or swelling in your face or jaw are signs of infection. Dental infections can spread quickly and should never be ignored. Rinse with mild salt water and call us the same day. If swelling affects your eye, your ability to swallow, or your breathing, go to the emergency room immediately.
Cut or Injured Lips, Tongue, or Gums
Clean the area gently and apply firm pressure with gauze or a clean cloth for 10–15 minutes. A cold compress helps with swelling. If the bleeding hasn't slowed after 15 minutes of steady pressure, treat it like any other wound that won't stop bleeding — seek urgent medical care.
Dentist or Emergency Room? How to Decide
Go to the ER (or call 911) for:
- A suspected broken or dislocated jaw
- Swelling that affects breathing or swallowing
- Bleeding that won't stop with pressure
- Head trauma, loss of consciousness, or vision changes alongside a dental injury
Call the dentist for everything else. Hospitals generally can't repair teeth — they manage pain and infection, then refer you to a dentist anyway. For tooth-specific emergencies, coming straight to us is usually faster and gets the actual problem fixed.
How to Lower Your Risk of a Dental Emergency
- Wear a custom mouthguard for sports — it's the single best protection against knocked-out teeth.
- Don't chew ice, popcorn kernels, or hard candy, and never use your teeth as scissors.
- Keep up with checkups. Most "sudden" toothaches are cavities or cracks that have been quietly growing for months. Regular exams and cleanings catch them while they're still small and painless.
What Happens at Your Same-Day Emergency Visit
At Riverton Dental, emergency visits start with one goal: get you out of pain. We'll examine the area, take any needed X-rays, explain what's going on in plain language, and treat the immediate problem — whether that's a filling, a temporary crown, starting a root canal, or prescribing medication for infection. Then we'll map out next steps together, with financing and insurance options clearly explained before anything begins.