I got a frantic call a few weeks ago from the mom of one of my daughter’s friends. Her daughter had fallen and knocked out her front permanent tooth. Even worse, she couldn’t reach her dentist, and the office answering service offered no advice—just an appointment the following week.
Luckily, we were able to rush her to my office and treat the emergency within the hour. Thank goodness she called.
That experience was a reminder: most people don’t know what to do in a dental emergency. Some problems can wait a day or two—but others need immediate care to save a tooth, stop an infection, or prevent serious complications.
(Photo by Archer Inspired Photography)
Quick Guide: When It’s an Emergency
Get help immediately if you have:
- A knocked-out permanent tooth
- Uncontrolled bleeding in the mouth
- Severe facial swelling
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- A suspected jaw fracture or dislocation
- Displaced (loose, pushed, or intruded) tooth after trauma
Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
Act fast—minutes matter.
What to do:
- Hold the tooth by the crown (not the root)
- Gently rinse if dirty (no scrubbing)
- Try to place it back in the socket
- If not, store it in milk, saliva, or saline
- Seek dental care immediately
Best chance of saving the tooth: within 30–60 minutes
*If a baby tooth is knocked out, do not try to put it back in—see a dentist for guidance.
Chipped or Cracked Tooth (Minor)
What to do:
- Avoid chewing on that side
- Cover sharp edges with dental wax or sugar-free gum
- Avoid very hot, cold, or sweet foods if sensitive
- Use OTC pain relief like Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen if needed
Call your dentist right away if: pain is severe, swelling develops, or the injury involves facial trauma.
Toothache
What to do:
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Floss gently to remove trapped food
- Take over-the-counter pain relief
Make an appointment if it lasts more than a day or is getting worse.*Even if the pain goes away, it’s still important to have the tooth checked—problems can worsen without obvious symptoms.
Lost Filling or Crown
What to do:
- Save the crown if you have it
- Use temporary dental cement (or toothpaste briefly)
- Avoid chewing on that side
- Avoid very hot or cold foods if sensitive
See your dentist within 1–2 days.
Dental Abscess (Early)
This often looks like a small pimple on the gum.
What to do:
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Do not try to pop or drain it
- Call your dentist as soon as possible
Watch for: fever, swelling, worsening pain
Facial Swelling
What to do:
- Seek same-day dental care
Go to the ER immediately if you have trouble breathing or swallowing
TMJ Pain or Jaw Flare-Up
What to do:
- Stick to soft foods
- Use warm compresses
- Take over-the-counter pain relief
- Avoid wide opening or chewing gum
Follow up if it doesn’t improve
Quick First-Aid Tips for Any Dental Problem
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Apply pressure to stop bleeding
- Use a cold compress for swelling
- Avoid chewing on the affected area
- Protect sharp edges with wax or sugar-free gum
- Always follow dosing instructions on OTC medications
Cold vs warm compress
A quick clarification:
- Cold compress = swelling/trauma
- Warm compress = jaw soreness (like TMJ)
What NOT to do
Avoid this:
- Don’t put aspirin directly on gums or teeth
- Don’t ignore swelling (it can spread quickly)
- Don’t use super glue to fix a tooth or crown
- Don’t wait several days if pain or symptoms are worsening
Final Thought
When in doubt, it’s always safer to call your dentist. Dental problems rarely improve on their own—and early care can prevent bigger, more painful (and expensive) issues.
Dr. Emily Dodds is an experienced general and cosmetic dentist and co-owner of Dodds Dental in Long Beach. She graduated magna cum laude from the esteemed Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston and completed an advanced general dentistry residency. Most recently, she obtained her Masters in Public Health with a dental emphasis from A.T. Still University. Dr. Dodds is dedicated to providing personalized, high-quality comprehensive dental care in a comfortable environment. If you want to experience dentistry differently, call 562-439-0754 to schedule a new patient visit.
