Dental emergencies almost never happen at a convenient hour, and in the moment it is hard to know what actually matters. The good news is that a few simple, calm steps in the first hour make an enormous difference, and most everyday emergencies are far more fixable than they feel.
First, call us before anything else
The single most useful thing you can do is call. We hold time in every weekday schedule that we do not fill in advance, precisely because these days happen, and when you reach us we can talk you through exactly what to do until you arrive.
Cracked teeth, swelling, and severe pain jump the line. Call before early afternoon on a weekday and we will almost always see you the same day.
A knocked-out tooth
A fully knocked-out adult tooth is the one true race against the clock, and it is often savable if you act within the hour. Pick the tooth up by the crown, never the root, and gently rinse it with water or milk without scrubbing it.
If you can, slip it back into the socket and bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it there. If you cannot, tuck it inside your cheek or drop it into a cup of milk, and come straight in. A tooth kept moist and brought quickly has a real chance of being reseated for good.
- Pick it up by the crownNever touch or scrub the root.
- Rinse it gentlyUse water or milk, and do not scrub it clean.
- Reseat or store itSlip it back into the socket, or keep it in milk or inside your cheek.
- Come straight inA tooth brought within the hour has a real chance of being saved.
A cracked or broken tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water and hold a cold compress against your cheek to keep the swelling down. If there is a sharp edge, a little dental wax or even a piece of sugar-free gum can cover it so it does not cut your tongue on the way in.
A cracked tooth caught in time is usually a simple crown. Left for a few weeks, the same tooth can split below the gumline and become an extraction. Timing is most of the story, which is why we would always rather see you today.
A cracked tooth caught in time is usually a simple crown. Left for a few weeks, the same tooth can become an extraction.
Swelling and severe pain
Swelling, especially alongside a bad toothache, can signal an infection that should be seen promptly. Rinse with warm salt water, keep your head elevated when you rest, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the package.
Do not put aspirin directly against the gum, which burns the tissue, and do not simply wait it out to see if it passes. Call us. Infections are far simpler to treat early than late.
A lost filling or crown
A filling or crown that comes loose is uncomfortable but rarely a true emergency. Keep the crown if you still have it, since we can often recement the very same one. A dab of over-the-counter dental cement, or even a little toothpaste, can hold it temporarily, and avoid chewing on that side.
Call us and we will get you in soon to secure it properly, before the exposed tooth becomes sensitive or damaged.
What you do not need to worry about
You do not need to diagnose anything or decide how serious it is. That is our job, and we would rather you call about something minor than sit at home in pain second-guessing yourself. You will not get a lecture about the time since your last visit, and you will hear the cost before any work begins.
Keep our number where you can find it, save it in your phone now, and know that a calm, same-day answer is usually just one call away.
