What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time, and it's easy to freeze up when one does. Knowing the basics ahead of time can help you act quickly and, in some cases, improve the outcome.

Knocked-out tooth

Pick the tooth up by the crown (the chewing surface), not the root. If it's dirty, rinse it gently with water — don't scrub it or use soap. If possible, try placing it back in the socket without forcing it. If that's not possible, keep it moist in milk or a saved-tooth solution and get to a dentist as soon as possible; the sooner it's re-implanted, the better the odds of saving it.

Severe toothache

Rinse your mouth with warm water and gently floss around the area to rule out trapped food. Over-the-counter pain relief can help in the short term, but a persistent or worsening toothache is often a sign of infection or a cracked tooth and needs to be evaluated — it won't resolve on its own.

Broken or chipped tooth

Rinse your mouth and save any broken pieces if you can find them. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling, and avoid chewing on that side until you're seen.

Abscess or swelling

Swelling, especially combined with fever or difficulty swallowing, can indicate a serious infection. This isn't something to wait out — contact your dentist right away, and seek emergency medical care if swelling is severe or spreading quickly.

In any of these situations, the most useful first step is the same: call your dental office right away and describe what happened. Most practices set aside time for true emergencies and can tell you whether to come in immediately or what to do in the meantime.