Dental Emergencies: What Counts, What To Do First, and Who To Call

What counts as a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is a problem in your mouth that needs care right away. Cleveland Clinic says that if you have bleeding that will not stop, pain that does not get better with medication, or broken facial bones, you need emergency care. A knocked-out tooth and a badly cracked tooth also fall in this group.

Not every dental problem is an emergency. A small chip or crack with no pain can usually wait for a regular appointment. Cleveland Clinic says it is okay to wait until your dentist can see you in that case. You should still call and ask.

The table sorts common problems by urgency. It is a guide, not a diagnosis. If you are unsure, call your dentist and describe what is happening.

When should you call 911 or go to an emergency room?

Go to an emergency room, or call 911, if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. Mayo Clinic says to go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing with a tooth abscess. Cleveland Clinic says to call 911 or head to the nearest emergency room for difficulty breathing or swallowing, and for a fever, chills, or nausea and vomiting with a gum abscess.

Cleveland Clinic also lists these signs for an ER visit when you have a toothache:

• Swelling below your eye or a knot on your jaw
• Unbearable tooth pain that does not get better with medication
• Bleeding that will not stop with applied pressure
• A fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit

A tooth infection can spread. Cleveland Clinic says an abscess left untreated may cause swelling of the face or jaw and could spread to other parts of the body. Do not wait to see if symptoms go away when you have any of these signs.

What does the ER do, and what does it not do?

Emergency room staff can treat pain and infection. Cleveland Clinic says they can give medicines such as antibiotics or pain relievers. The ER does not perform restorative treatments such as fillings or crowns.

After an ER visit, you still need a dentist. Call your dentist’s office when it opens, tell them what happened, and bring any papers or medicine names the ER gave you. The dentist will examine the tooth and talk with you about next steps.

Should you go to the dentist, urgent care or the ER?

Start with your dentist when the office is open. Cleveland Clinic says the first thing to do in a dental emergency is call your dentist for instructions. Most injuries, such as a broken or knocked-out tooth, are treated in the dentist’s office. If you do not have a dentist, Cleveland Clinic says to go to an urgent care center or your nearest emergency room.

The choice depends on how bad the problem is and what time it is.

What should you have ready when you call?

A clear description helps the team decide how fast to see you. The ADA says to call your dentist and give as much detail as possible about your condition. Try to answer these questions before you dial:

• What happened, and when did it happen?
• Where is the pain, and how strong is it on a scale of 1 to 10?
• Is there swelling, bleeding or a fever?
• Is a tooth loose, broken or missing, and do you have the piece?
• What medicines have you taken, and what are your allergies?
• Are you able to open your mouth, swallow and breathe normally?

Write the answers down if you can. Have your insurance card and a list of your medicines nearby. If the office asks you to come in, ask whether to bring the broken piece, the crown, or the tooth in milk.

What if the injury is to your lip, tongue or cheek?

Clean the area and press on it. The ADA says to clean a bitten tongue or lip gently with water and apply a cold compress. For bleeding, Cleveland Clinic says to press a piece of clean cotton gauze on the area, and the bleeding should stop within 15 to 20 minutes.

If bleeding is still heavy after that, Cleveland Clinic says to seek immediate care. Go to an emergency room if you cannot control it. Deep cuts and injuries with broken teeth in the wound also need a professional look.

What should you do first for a knocked-out tooth?

Act quickly and keep the tooth moist. The ADA says to keep a knocked-out permanent tooth moist at all times, and to try placing it back in the socket without touching the root if you can. If that is not possible, put it between your cheek and gums, in milk, or in a tooth preservation product that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Then get to your dentist right away.

Cleveland Clinic gives more detail. Hold the tooth by the crown, the part you normally see, and rinse the root with water. Do not scrub it. Cleveland Clinic says a dentist has the best chance of saving the tooth when it is returned to its socket within one hour.

Here are the steps in order:

1. Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown only.
2. Rinse the root gently with water. Do not scrub or remove attached tissue.
3. If you can, place it back in the socket facing the right way. Never force it.
4. If you cannot, keep it in milk or a tooth preservation product.
5. Call your dentist right away, or go to an emergency room if you cannot reach one.

These steps are for adult teeth. For a baby tooth, call a dentist for advice. A knocked-out tooth needs prompt care, so do not delay the call.

What should you do for a cracked or broken tooth?

Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold pack to your face. The ADA says to rinse right away to clean the area and to use cold compresses to keep swelling down. Cleveland Clinic adds that you should save and rinse any broken pieces, and that gauze can help if there is bleeding.

See your dentist as soon as possible. Cleveland Clinic says a crack can open the door for bacteria to reach the tooth pulp and cause an abscess. Our guide on cracked, chipped and broken teeth explains repair options.

What if you have a bad toothache or swelling?

Rinse with warm water and gently floss to remove trapped food. The ADA says not to put aspirin on the aching tooth or gums. Cleveland Clinic says over-the-counter pain relievers can be used while you wait for a dentist, and a cold pack outside the cheek can reduce swelling.

If the pain is severe, or if you have swelling or fever, call your dentist or go to an emergency room. A dental abscess is a pocket of infection that needs treatment. Read more in our toothache guide.

What about a lost filling or a loose crown?

These need a dentist, but they are usually not as urgent as the problems above. Cleveland Clinic says to stick sugarless gum in the cavity of a lost filling, or use an over-the-counter dental cement. For a broken crown or bridge, make an appointment as soon as possible and bring the restoration with you.

Avoid chewing on that side. Tell the office you have a lost filling or loose crown when you call.

How do you reach Town Center Dental, and what about weekends?

Town Center Dental is at 2426 Taylor Road, Wildwood, MO 63040. The office hours are Monday to Wednesday 8am to 5pm and Thursday 8am to 4pm. The office is closed Friday to Sunday. The phone number is (636) 273-5866.

The practice says Dr. Jon Copeland and Dr. Stephanie Copeland leave time open for emergency appointments. Call as early in the day as you can and describe what happened. The team will tell you what to do next. See the contact page for the office details.

If trouble starts on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, or after hours, the office is closed. This website lists no after-hours number. Cleveland Clinic says to go to the nearest emergency room if your dentist’s office is not open when pain develops.

How can you lower the chance of an emergency?

Some emergencies are avoidable. The ADA suggests three habits: wear a mouthguard when you play sports or take part in recreation, avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy, and use scissors, never your teeth, to cut things.

Regular exams also help. A dentist can find a small cavity or a worn filling before it hurts. If you play sports, ask about a sports guard.

Next step

Learn how the practice describes its own care on the emergency dentistry page. During office hours, call (636) 273-5866 or request an appointment. If symptoms are severe, do not wait for the phone: go to an emergency room.