What to Do in the Event of a Dental Emergency

Is This a Dental Emergency?

Some dental issues are urgent and should be treated right away, while others can wait. It’s important to know the difference, especially at night or over the weekend when your regular dental office may not be available.

Here are some examples of dental problems that require urgent care:

• Excessive or persistent bleeding
• A permanent tooth becomes loose or gets knocked out
• Injury to the jaw
• Swelling
• Painful or throbbing toothache

These symptoms need immediate treatment. Your dentist may have an emergency number for after-hours care. If not, visit your local emergency room.

The following concerns are not urgent:

• Missing filling, bridge, or crown
• Cracked or broken tooth that isn’t causing pain
• Broken retainer or night guard
• Dull tooth pain

You should still contact your dentist for non-urgent issues, but it’s usually not necessary to be seen immediately.

How Should I Handle a Dental Emergency at Home?

Depending on the issue, there are steps you can take at home to manage the situation and ease your pain. The first thing to do is stay calm—anxiety will only make things worse.

Here are some tips to help manage pain during a dental emergency:

• Rinse your mouth with a mixture of salt and warm water to reduce swelling and ease irritation.
• If you lose a tooth, store it in a glass of milk until you can see your dentist.
• If you have pain around a specific tooth, try flossing around it; something may be lodged in the gum or between teeth.
• Place a cold compress on the swollen, bleeding, or irritated area.
• Rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide to reduce irritation and kill bacteria.