What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time. A tooth breaks on a Saturday, a child falls at practice, or a toothache that was easy to ignore suddenly keeps you up at night. What you do in the first hour can make a real difference, especially when a permanent tooth is knocked out. This guide covers the first steps for the most common problems and how to reach our emergency dentist team in Arlington, Grand Prairie, Commerce and Paris.

First: is it a dental emergency or a medical emergency?

Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 right away if you have any of these. A dental office is not the right first stop for them:

• Swelling that is spreading to your eye, neck or under your jaw, or swelling with a fever
• Trouble breathing or swallowing
• Bleeding from the mouth that does not slow down after 15 minutes of firm pressure
• A possible broken jaw, or a hit to the face or head with dizziness, confusion or loss of consciousness

For most other problems, such as a broken tooth, a lost filling, a toothache or a knocked-out tooth, call your dental office first. Our front desk teams speak English and Spanish and will help you get seen as soon as possible.

A knocked-out adult tooth: act within the first hour

A permanent tooth that is knocked out can sometimes be saved if it is put back quickly. The best chance is when you reach a dentist within about 30 minutes to an hour.

• Pick the tooth up by the top (the white part you chew with). Do not touch the root.
• If it is dirty, rinse it for a few seconds with milk or water. Do not scrub it, dry it or wrap it in a tissue.
• If you can, gently push it back into the socket and bite on clean gauze or a cloth to hold it in place.
• If it will not go back in, keep it moist in a small container of milk, or in your mouth between your cheek and gums. Do not do this with a young child, who could swallow it.
• Call your dental office right away and tell them a tooth was knocked out.

Baby teeth are different. Do not try to put a knocked-out baby tooth back in, because it can damage the adult tooth growing underneath. Call the office so the dentist can check your child's mouth.

A broken or chipped tooth

• Rinse your mouth gently with warm water and save any pieces of the tooth.
• If there is bleeding, press clean gauze on the area for about 10 minutes.
• Hold a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling.
• Cover a sharp edge with sugar-free gum or dental wax from a pharmacy so it does not cut your tongue or cheek.
• Avoid chewing on that side until you are seen.

A small chip may only need smoothing or bonding, while a larger break can expose the inside of the tooth. Our broken or chipped tooth page explains the usual repair options.

A severe toothache

• Rinse with warm water and floss gently around the tooth to remove any trapped food.
• Hold a cold compress on the outside of your cheek for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers can help. Follow the label, and ask a pharmacist if you take other medicines.
• Never put aspirin or a pain reliever directly on the gums. It can burn the tissue.

Pain that wakes you at night, throbs, or comes with sensitivity to biting or hot drinks can mean the nerve is inflamed or infected. See our severe toothache page for what the dentist looks for and how it is usually treated.

Swelling, a pimple on the gums or a bad taste

A swollen area near a tooth, a small bump on the gum that drains, or a bad taste in your mouth can be signs of a dental abscess, which is a pocket of infection. Rinse with warm salt water, do not try to pop it, and call the office the same day. If the swelling spreads to your face, eye or neck, or you have a fever or trouble swallowing, go to the emergency room. Learn more about a dental abscess or infection.

A lost filling or crown

• Keep the crown in a clean, safe place and bring it to your appointment.
• Chew on the other side and avoid very hot, cold or sticky foods.
• A temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can cover the area for a short time. Never use household glue.

Bleeding after a tooth extraction

Some oozing is normal for the first day after an extraction. Bite firmly on folded gauze for 30 to 45 minutes without checking it. A moistened black tea bag can also help. Avoid straws, spitting and smoking, which can loosen the clot. If the bleeding is heavy or does not slow down, call the office that did the extraction. Our tooth extractions page has full aftercare tips.

A broken wire or bracket on braces

A poking wire can usually be covered with orthodontic wax until your visit. You can also gently push it flat with the eraser end of a pencil. Do not cut the wire yourself. Patients of our Arlington, Commerce and Paris offices can call their office to schedule a repair visit.

How to reach our offices

Call the office closest to you. Our front desk and dental assistants speak English and Spanish.

• Arlington: (682) 284-1120. Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday 9 am to 2 pm.
• Grand Prairie: (972) 262-5593. Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.
• Commerce: (903) 246-4424. Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.
• Paris: (903) 609-0567. Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday 9 am to 3 pm.

All four offices accept PPO dental plans and Medicare. Our Arlington, Grand Prairie and Commerce offices also accept Medicaid and CHIP, and every office offers CareCredit and Cherry financing. See insurance and financing for details.

Frequently asked questions

Should I go to the ER or the dentist for a toothache?

For a toothache alone, call your dentist first. Go to the emergency room if the pain comes with swelling that spreads to your face, eye or neck, a fever, or trouble breathing or swallowing.

Can a knocked-out tooth be saved?

Often, if it is a permanent tooth and it is put back or kept moist in milk and you reach a dentist quickly, ideally within 30 minutes to an hour. Baby teeth should not be put back in.

Can I be seen if I don't have dental insurance?

Yes. Call the office and the team will explain your options. Every office offers CareCredit and Cherry financing, and you get your treatment plan and price in writing before treatment begins.

Are any offices open on Saturday?

Yes. Our Arlington office is open Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm, and our Paris office is open Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm.

This article is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are unsure whether your problem is urgent, call your dental office, or call 911 if you have trouble breathing or swallowing.