What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
Severe Tooth Pain
Persistent, intense pain that won't go away with over-the-counter medication
Knocked-Out Tooth
A tooth that has been completely knocked out — time is critical
Broken or Cracked Tooth
A tooth that is visibly broken, cracked, or chipped from trauma
Abscess or Swelling
Facial swelling, gum swelling, or a pimple-like bump on your gums
Lost Crown or Filling
A dental crown or filling that has come loose or fallen out
Uncontrolled Bleeding
Bleeding from the gums or mouth that won't stop after 15 minutes
What to Do Right Now
Knocked-Out Tooth
- 1Pick up the tooth by the crown (not the root)
- 2Gently rinse with water — do NOT scrub
- 3Try to place it back in the socket
- 4If you can't, keep it in milk or saliva
- 5Call us immediately — every minute counts
Severe Pain
- 1Rinse with warm salt water
- 2Take over-the-counter pain reliever (not aspirin on the gum)
- 3Apply a cold compress to your cheek
- 4Call us for a same-day appointment
Broken Tooth
- 1Rinse your mouth with warm water
- 2Save any tooth fragments
- 3Apply gauze if bleeding
- 4Use a cold compress for swelling
- 5Call us immediately
When to Go to the Emergency Room Instead
Go to the nearest ER if you experience:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Jaw fracture or dislocation
- Severe facial trauma from an accident
- Uncontrollable bleeding that won't stop
How We Handle Emergencies
Call Us
Tell us what happened. We'll get you in today.
Immediate Assessment
We evaluate your situation and manage your pain first.
Same-Day Treatment
We treat the emergency and plan any follow-up care needed.
After Hours?
If our office is closed and you're in pain, call our main number and follow the prompts for after-hours guidance. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.