Knowing what to do in a dental emergency can help you protect your teeth while you seek professional care. If you have severe tooth pain, uncontrolled bleeding, a knocked out tooth, large swelling, a badly broken tooth or dental abscess you may need prompt attention. As a general rule, the first step is to call a dentist and describe what has happened.
Some dental emergencies can be tooth threatening, while others may be a sign of a more serious medical issue. If you have swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, or a serious facial injury, do not wait for your regular dental appointment. Go to the emergency department.
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies are problems with your teeth, gums, mouth or jaw that need immediate professional attention. Examples include a severe toothache, a badly broken tooth, a knocked-out permanent tooth, a dental abscess, uncontrolled bleeding and significant soft tissue injuries.
But not all dental issues warrant a trip to the emergency room. You might wait for a dental appointment for a small painless chip, mild toothache, or something stuck between your teeth. Still, it’s worth making an appointment with your dentist, who can help determine how soon you should be seen.
After a dental emergency has been treated, regular dental visits can help you monitor your oral health and address problems early. Learn what to expect during a routine dental checkup.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Call your dentist as soon as you can and clearly tell them what is happening to you. Many dental offices have reserved spots for urgent patients and may provide after-hours instructions. An emergency dentist or other appropriate facility may be able to help you if your regular dentist is unavailable.
While you wait, focus on protecting the injured area and managing symptoms safely. Do not apply any substance directly to a painful tooth or gum. Do not use sharp objects to remove objects stuck between the teeth. Do not delay professional care if the condition is serious.
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
Common emergencies include a knocked out or partially knocked out tooth, a bad toothache, a badly cracked or broken tooth, a dental abscess, heavy bleeding in the mouth and injuries to the lips, tongue, cheeks or gums. Lost or broken dental restorations may also require prompt attention, particularly if they result in pain or expose sensitive tooth structure.
It matters how bad your symptoms are. If you have severe pain that does not go away, bleeding that does not stop, large swelling on your face, or any sign that the infection is spreading, you need to be seen as soon as possible. Treat a dental problem with difficulty breathing or swallowing as a medical emergency.
Toothache, severe
Start by swishing a bit of warm water in your mouth. If you think food is stuck between your teeth, floss carefully around the painful tooth. If you have swelling, a cold compress on the outside of your cheek may help to reduce discomfort and swelling while you arrange care.
Over-the-counter pain medication can help if you follow the directions on the product label and your health care professional’s guidance. However, do not put aspirin or another painkiller directly against your gums or tooth as it can damage your gum tissue. Call your dentist as soon as possible to find out what is causing the pain.
If your tooth hurts when exposed to cold drinks or foods, the discomfort may be related to tooth sensitivity. However, severe, persistent, or worsening pain should be assessed by a dentist rather than assumed to be ordinary sensitivity.
Tooth badly cracked
If a tooth breaks or chips badly, save any pieces you can find and rinse them gently. If the area is bleeding, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply pressure with clean gauze. You may apply a cold pack on the outside of your cheek or lip to help with swelling.
In the meantime, don’t chew on the damaged side until you can get professional care. Even if the pain goes away , you still need to see your dentist . The visible crack may not be the extent of the damage .
Knocked out tooth
A permanent tooth that has been knocked out requires specific urgent attention. Grab the tooth by the crown, never the root. Rinse gently if dirty, no scrubbing or removal of attached tissue. If you can , try to gently put it back in to the socket without pushing hard .
If you can’t get it back into the socket, keep it moist and take it to the dentist with you. Transport in milk or an appropriate tooth preserving product. Prompt professional care is important because the chances of saving a knocked-out permanent tooth are best when treatment occurs promptly. Sources note the importance of the first hour.
Extruded (partially dislocated) tooth
If a tooth is only partially dislodged, it is important to see a dentist immediately. Do not attempt to replace the tooth in the socket. If swelling or discomfort occurs, avoid chewing on that side and apply a cold compress on the outside of the mouth until you get care.
Even if the tooth hasn't completely come out, a partially displaced tooth can involve injury to the tissues that support the tooth. By receiving a timely evaluation, a dentist can determine if stabilisation or other treatment is necessary.
Abscess, dental
A dental abscess is an infection that can form at the root of a tooth or between the tooth and the gum. It may cause pain, swelling, a bump on the gum like a pimple, or a bad taste. If left untreated, abscesses can damage the surrounding tissues and sometimes cause the infection to spread.
If you think you have an abscess, see a dentist straight away. You can try a mild salt water rinse and it may feel better temporarily but it won’t get rid of the infection. If the swelling spreads to your face or neck, or if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, get emergency medical care right away.
Lost or damaged dental restoration
Sometimes a filling, crown or bridge can become loose or fall out. If you can, keep the restoration and bring it with you to your dentist. Chewing on the affected side can expose sensitive tooth structure, so avoid chewing on the affected side until you are seen. (Cleveland Clinic) Don’t replace a dental restoration with super glue or household adhesives. Temporary dental products might be appropriate in some cases, but follow the product directions and call your dentist to have the tooth properly repaired or replaced.
Widespread soft tissue injury
A cut to the tongue, cheeks, lips or gums can cause a lot of bleeding. Rinse gently with clean water or a mild salt-water solution and then apply clean, moistened gauze with firm pressure. You can also help with swelling and discomfort by applying a cold compress to the outside of your mouth.
Get emergency medical help if bleeding doesn’t stop after applying pressure for a long time, or if the injury is serious. Serious facial trauma may be best treated in an emergency department rather than a dental office, if you think you have other injuries.
What Not to Do in a Dental Emergency
Don’t put aspirin right on a sore tooth or gum. Do not clean the root of a knocked-out tooth, and do not use sharp objects to dislodge something stuck between your teeth. Never use home glue to repair a crown or other dental restoration.
Also don’t think that just because the pain is gone, the problem is solved. Some dental issues can feel better for a short period, but the underlying condition is still there. The safest course of action for severe or unusual symptoms is to seek a professional evaluation.
When Is It Time to Go to the ER for Tooth Pain?
If bleeding is uncontrolled, if the trauma to the face is serious, if the face has broken bones, or if swelling threatens the airway, a hospital emergency department may be appropriate. Difficulty breathing or swallowing is especially important because it may indicate a potentially serious spreading infection.
In many dental emergencies the dentist is the one who provides the definitive treatment. An emergency department can treat medical problems, pain, swelling or serious trauma. An emergency department will usually not do restorative dental work ( fillings, crowns, etc ).
How Can I Control My Symptoms Until I Am Able to See My Dentist?
The correct temporary care will depend upon the injury. Warm water rinses, gentle flossing, cold compresses, clean gauze and appropriate OTC pain relief can be helpful in some situations. However, these measures are temporary and should not take the place of a dental evaluation.
If you’re unsure whether your symptoms are urgent, call a dental office and describe exactly what you’re experiencing. Tell me about pain, swelling, bleeding, injury, fever and when the problem started. This information can assist the dental team in planning for the appropriate course of action.
The Bottom Line
Dental emergencies are scary, but knowing the right first steps can help protect your mouth until professional care is available. Call your dentist immediately. Protect the injured tooth or tissue, control bleeding if possible, and avoid home remedies that may cause further damage.
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, there is uncontrolled bleeding, severe swelling, major facial trauma, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, special urgency is required. If you are in doubt, seek professional advice rather than waiting for symptoms to get worse.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
What Is the First Thing to Do in a Dental Emergency?
Call your dentist and tell them what happened. Care for the injured area and treat symptoms in a safe manner . Follow emergency instructions of the office . Get emergency medical care if you have a serious facial injury, bleeding that won't stop, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
What Do I Do if I Lose a Permanent Tooth Permanently?
Hold the tooth by the crown, not the root. If necessary, carefully rinse it without scrubbing, try to put it back in the socket without forcing it, or keep it moist in milk or a suitable tooth preservation product. Get dental today.
Can I Apply Aspirin Directly to the Toothache?
No. Aspirin and other painkilling medications put directly on the gum or tooth can burn the gum tissue. If you need pain relief, take over-the-counter medication as directed on the label, and visit a dentist.
Does a Broken Tooth Warrant a Trip to the ER?
A broken tooth usually needs to be seen by a dentist fairly quickly, but an ER might be necessary if the injury involves serious facial trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, broken facial bones or other medical problems. For specific advice, please consult your dentist.
How Long Can I Wait to See the Dentist After a Dental Emergency?
There is no one timeframe for every emergency. A knocked-out permanent tooth needs attention especially quickly, while a minor, painless chip can wait for a regular appointment. If your symptoms are severe, getting worse or are accompanied by swelling or bleeding call your dentist right away.
Sources & References
- American Dental Association / MouthHealthy - Dental Emergencies
- Cleveland Clinic - Dental Emergencies
- WebMD - Handling Dental Emergencies
- CDC - Oral Health
Image Credits:
All images used in this article are credited to their respective creators. For individual images, see below:
Image 1: Photo by prostooleh on Magnific
Image 2: Photo by jcomp on Magnific
Image 3: Photo by ASphotofamily on Magnific
Medical Disclaimer
SmileScribeHub provides general dental and health information for
educational purposes. This information does not replace personalized advice,
diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified dentist or other healthcare
professional. If you have persistent pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, or
another concerning symptom, consult a qualified dental professional.
Written by Henry Don
Founder of SmileScribeHub, where I research and write clear, accessible, and evidence-informed educational content about dental and oral health.My articles are researched using reputable dental, medical, academic, and public-health sources. I am not a dentist or licensed healthcare professional, and my content is provided for general educational purpose.
Written by Henry Don
Founder of SmileScribeHub, where I research and write clear, accessible, and evidence-informed educational content about dental and oral health.My articles are researched using reputable dental, medical, academic, and public-health sources. I am not a dentist or licensed healthcare professional, and my content is provided for general educational purpose.