What to Do If You Have a Dental Emergency
A dental emergency can bring fear and pain, but try not to panic. The most important step is to call for an emergency dentist so you can get relief. This guide walks through the most common situations and what to do for each one.
What would be considered a dental emergency?
Urgency is the key. Examples include bleeding that will not stop, a loose or knocked-out permanent tooth, a jaw injury, painful swelling, a severe toothache, and a tooth that has been forced out of position.
If your face swells up
Swelling can be a sign of a serious dental infection that needs immediate evaluation. These infections do not resolve on their own and can involve the gum, tooth, or bone. While you arrange care, try to stay upright when you sleep and keep yourself hydrated.
If you have a knocked-out tooth
Time is critical. You have roughly a 30-minute window to get the tooth on ice and reach a dentist, and reimplantation within an hour offers a better chance of success. Hold the tooth by its crown, not the root, to preserve the tissue needed for it to reattach. See our full guide on a knocked-out tooth for step-by-step first aid.
If you have a broken, cracked, or chipped tooth
Treatment depends on severity. A small crack may need a filling, a large chip may require a crown, and a complete crack may need extraction and an implant.
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☎ Call (844) 851-8301If you are bleeding from the mouth
Bleeding can indicate an acute or chronic condition. Blood on your floss may suggest gingivitis, while blood in your saliva can point to advanced disease or, in rare cases, cancer. Persistent bleeding after an extraction needs immediate attention.
If you think you have a gum abscess
An abscess can appear as a discolored bump that signals infection. Treatment may involve a root canal or extraction, and sometimes antibiotics and X-rays. Schedule an appointment right away and keep up your normal oral hygiene in the meantime.
If you have a tooth abscess
Symptoms include lingering sensitivity to temperature and severe pain when chewing. A dying tooth often requires a root canal, and delaying care risks facial swelling and serious complications. Read more in our guide to an abscessed tooth.
If you have pain when you bite
This can suggest cracked tooth syndrome. Crowning the tooth early may prevent a root canal or tooth loss. In some cases, grinding causes muscle pain rather than tooth pain.
If you had an injury, fall, or accident
How quickly you respond often determines whether the tooth can be preserved. Fractures need urgent evaluation by an oral specialist, and jaw fractures are sometimes overlooked in the emergency room, so be sure they are checked.
If you were injured in a dental procedure
Post-procedure complications, like a tongue laceration, may require stitching by an oral surgeon rather than being left to heal on their own.
In case of a cut or burned tongue
Tongue injuries cause significant pain, swelling, and a risk of bleeding. See an oral surgeon the same day, apply ice, and use gauze with pressure to control bleeding.
If you have a toothache
Causes include decay, gum disease, cavities, or grinding. Anti-inflammatory medication can help, with medical consultation, and a diagnostic exam will pinpoint the cause.
If you do not have dental insurance
Resources include dental discount plans, local dental schools, and free clinics or community health centers.
Can I get emergency dental treatment, and who do I call?
Yes, you can access emergency dentistry or emergency room services. Your regular dentist is the primary contact. An emergency room is appropriate for uncontrollable pain or bleeding when a dentist is unavailable, or when distances are significant and no dentist is reachable. To be connected to an emergency dentist near you, call (844) 851-8301.
Emergency room dental extractions
An extraction is a last resort, used after X-rays and tests determine the appropriate method. See our guide to emergency tooth extraction for what to expect.
Should I go to the hospital or the dentist?
A hospital visit suits emergencies involving the face or mouth structures, like fractures or serious infections that affect breathing or swallowing. A dentist handles non-life-threatening but urgent issues, such as a cracked or knocked-out tooth.
People also ask
Who do I call for a dental emergency?
Your regular dentist is the first contact. If they are unavailable and your pain or bleeding is out of control, go to an emergency room. You can also call (844) 851-8301 to be connected to an emergency dentist near you.
Should I go to the hospital or the dentist for a dental emergency?
Go to the hospital for emergencies involving the face or mouth structures, like fractures or serious infections affecting breathing or swallowing. A dentist handles non-life-threatening but urgent issues such as cracked or knocked-out teeth.
What can I do if I do not have dental insurance?
Resources include dental discount plans, local dental schools, and free clinics or community health centers. You can still get emergency dental treatment without insurance.
Related guides
This article is for general information only and is not medical or dental advice. For a dental emergency, contact a licensed dentist or call (844) 851-8301. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.