Published by the Applemint Dental Spa team
Dental emergencies tend to happen at the worst possible time: during dinner, on the weekend or right before an important event. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can ease your pain and, in some cases, help save a tooth.
This guide covers what counts as a dental emergency, simple first aid for the most common problems and the situations that need an emergency room instead of a dentist. It is general information, not a substitute for advice about your own situation, so when in doubt, call us.
When to Go to the ER or Call 911
Some symptoms go beyond a dental office. Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 right away if you have:
- Facial or neck swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow
- A high fever along with swelling in your face or jaw
- Bleeding that does not stop after 10 to 15 minutes of firm pressure
- A jaw injury, such as a jaw that may be broken or dislocated, or a serious blow to the head or face
These can be signs of a spreading infection or a serious injury. Once you are stable, we can help with the dental care that follows.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency
A problem is usually urgent if it involves severe pain, bleeding, infection or a tooth that may be lost. Call us the same day for:
- A knocked-out or loosened adult tooth
- Severe or persistent toothache
- Swelling in the gums or face, or signs of an abscess
- A broken tooth with sharp pain or a large piece missing
- A lost crown or filling that leaves the tooth painful
Other problems are uncomfortable but can often wait until the next business day: a small chip with no pain, a lost filling that does not hurt, mild sensitivity or a loose crown you can keep safe. If you are not sure which group you are in, call us and we will help you decide.
First Aid for Common Dental Emergencies
- Knocked-out tooth. Pick the tooth up by the crown, the part you normally see, and avoid touching the root. If it is dirty, rinse it gently with milk or water for a few seconds without scrubbing. If you can, gently push it back into the socket and bite on a clean cloth to hold it. If not, keep it in a small cup of milk. Time matters a great deal: the chance of saving the tooth is best when you see a dentist as soon as possible, ideally within the first hour. Do not try to reinsert a baby tooth.
- Broken or chipped tooth. Rinse your mouth with warm water and save any pieces you find. Use a cold compress on your cheek to help with swelling. If the edge is sharp, you can cover it with sugar-free gum or dental wax from a pharmacy to protect your tongue and cheek.
- Lost filling or crown. Keep the crown in a safe place and bring it with you. A temporary dental cement from a pharmacy may help cover the tooth or hold the crown in place for a short time. Never use household glue. Chew on the other side until you are seen.
- Toothache. Rinse with warm salt water and floss gently to remove any trapped food. An over-the-counter pain reliever taken as directed on the label may help. Do not place aspirin directly on the gum, since it can irritate the tissue.
- Swelling or abscess. A painful swelling or a pimple-like bump on the gum can signal an infection. Rinse with warm salt water and use a cold compress on the outside of your face. Call us the same day, and go to the ER if the swelling affects your breathing or swallowing or you develop a high fever.
Why Some Emergencies Lead to a Root Canal
A severe toothache or an abscess often means the soft pulp inside the tooth is inflamed or infected. Antibiotics can calm swelling for a while, but they cannot clear an infection from inside a tooth. In many cases, a root canal is the way to remove the infection, relieve the pain and keep your natural tooth.
Root canals have a worse reputation than they deserve. The tooth is fully numbed, and for most people the treatment feels much like getting a filling. Sedation is available if you are anxious.
How Applemint Handles Dental Emergencies
During office hours, Monday to Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM, we prioritize same-day appointments for dental emergencies. Friday visits are available by appointment, and we are closed on weekends.
When you call, our team will talk you through what to do right away. At your visit, we will examine the tooth, take X-rays, relieve your pain and stabilize the problem. Then we will explain any follow-up care you may need, such as a crown, a root canal or a replacement tooth.
If a problem happens outside our hours and you have any of the warning signs above, go to an emergency room. Otherwise, use the first aid steps in this guide and call us as soon as we open. If you have a dental emergency, call Applemint in Beverly Hills at 310-362-8179, and we will do our best to see you the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How fast do I need to act if a tooth gets knocked out?
- As fast as you can. A knocked-out adult tooth has the best chance of being saved when it is put back in place or kept in milk and seen by a dentist quickly, ideally within the first hour.
- Should I go to the ER or the dentist for a toothache?
- Most toothaches are best handled by a dentist. Go to the ER if you have swelling that affects your breathing or swallowing, a high fever with swelling, uncontrolled bleeding or a jaw injury.
- Can a lost filling wait until tomorrow?
- Often, yes, if the tooth does not hurt. Keep the area clean, chew on the other side and call us during the next business day. If the tooth is painful or sensitive, call us sooner.
- Will antibiotics fix a tooth abscess?
- Antibiotics can reduce swelling for a time, but they cannot reach the infection inside the tooth. The source usually needs to be treated with a root canal or, if the tooth cannot be saved, an extraction.
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for an exam. For advice about your own teeth, visit our Beverly Hills office.
