Dental emergencies rarely happen at convenient times. Knowing what to do — and what not to do — in the critical first minutes after an injury or acute dental problem can significantly affect the outcome. Save this article for reference.
Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth (Most Time-Critical Emergency)
A knocked-out (avulsed) tooth is the most time-sensitive dental emergency. The tooth can potentially be reimplanted if you act quickly.
- Find the tooth immediately. Pick it up by the crown (the white enamel part) — do not touch the root.
- If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse with clean water for no more than 10 seconds. Do not scrub it.
- If possible, immediately replace the tooth in the socket and hold it in place with gentle finger pressure. Bite down lightly on a clean cloth to hold it.
- If you cannot replant it, store it in milk (best option), saliva (inside your cheek), or a commercial tooth preservation kit. Do not store it in water — this kills the root cells.
- Get to a dentist immediately. A tooth reimplanted within 30 minutes has the highest chance of survival. After 60 minutes, the chance drops dramatically.
Note: Do not attempt to reimplant knocked-out baby teeth — this can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath.
Chipped or Cracked Tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water. If there is pain or swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek. Save any tooth fragments. Call your dentist for a same-day or next-day appointment. Avoid chewing on the affected side. If the crack is causing severe pain or the tooth feels loose, treat it as an urgent appointment.
Severe Toothache
Rinse with warm salt water. Take over-the-counter pain relief (ibuprofen is generally more effective than acetaminophen for dental pain, unless contraindicated). Do not place aspirin directly on the tooth or gum — this causes chemical burns. Clove oil (eugenol) can temporarily numb the area. Call your dentist — severe, unrelenting tooth pain often indicates infection that requires prompt treatment.
Dental Abscess
An abscess is a bacterial infection that produces a pus-filled pocket at the root tip or in the gum. Signs include severe throbbing pain, swelling of the jaw or face, fever, a bad taste in the mouth, and sometimes a visible bump on the gum. An abscess is a dental emergency — call your dentist immediately for a same-day appointment. If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, go to an emergency room immediately, as this suggests the infection may be spreading.
Lost Crown or Filling
This is not a true emergency unless you are in significant pain. The exposed tooth may be sensitive — dental cement or temporary filling material available at pharmacies can protect it. Call your dentist for an appointment within a few days. Do not attempt to re-cement a crown with superglue — it will make proper recementation difficult.
Soft Tissue Injury (Bitten Lip, Cut Gum)
Clean the area gently with water. Apply pressure with clean gauze or cloth for 15–20 minutes to control bleeding. Apply a cold compress for swelling. If bleeding does not slow after 20 minutes of firm pressure, or if the wound is large or deep, go to an emergency room.
Who to Call
Call your regular dentist first — even outside office hours, most practices have an after-hours message with emergency instructions or an emergency contact number. If you cannot reach your dentist, search for emergency dental clinics in your area. Hospital emergency rooms can manage serious infections and uncontrolled bleeding but cannot perform dental procedures.