Until you get here
What to do right now.
First aid for the most common dental emergencies. None of it replaces being seen — it keeps things from getting worse on the way.
Go to the ER or call 911 instead if you have
- Swelling spreading towards the eye, down the neck, or making it hard to breathe or swallow
- Bleeding that does not stop after 15 minutes of firm pressure
- A possible broken jaw or head injury after an accident
- High fever together with facial swelling
Severe toothache
- Rinse with warm water and floss gently to clear anything trapped
- Use an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the label
- Never put aspirin directly on the gum — it burns the tissue
- Call us: a toothache that keeps you awake usually needs treating
Swelling or a pimple on the gum
- This can mean an infection — call the same day
- Cold compress on the outside of the cheek, 15 minutes on and off
- Do not apply heat
- Swelling spreading to the eye or neck: go to the ER
Knocked-out adult tooth
- Pick it up by the crown (the white part), never the root
- Rinse it gently — do not scrub or dry it
- Try to push it back into the socket, or keep it in milk
- Get to a dentist within the hour if you possibly can
Broken or chipped tooth
- Rinse with warm water and keep any pieces
- Cold compress to keep swelling down
- Avoid chewing on that side
- Call for an appointment — sharp edges can cut the tongue
Lost filling or crown
- Keep the crown somewhere safe and bring it in
- Temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can cover the gap
- Avoid very hot, cold or sticky food on that side
- Book soon — the exposed tooth can break further
Bitten lip, tongue or cheek
- Clean gently with water
- Press with clean gauze for 10 minutes
- Cold compress for swelling
- Bleeding that will not stop: go to the ER
When you call
What happens next.
Tell us what happened
Where it hurts, since when, and whether there is swelling. A photo by text or email can help.
We triage it
We tell you how urgent it is and what to do in the meantime.
We fit you in
As soon as the schedule allows, including weekend appointments when the office is open.
Relief first, then a plan
We deal with the pain first. Longer-term options are explained afterwards, with costs, and nothing is decided under pressure.
Don't wait for it to get worse.
Most dental pain gets more expensive the longer it is left. One phone call tells you how urgent it really is.