What it is
Emergency dental care is for problems that should not wait for a regular appointment: a bad toothache, a broken or knocked-out tooth, a lost filling or crown, or swelling in the face or gums. The first goal is to ease the pain and protect the tooth, then to plan any follow-up treatment.
Step 1
Before your visit
- Call as soon as you can and describe what happened. You will be told how soon to come in.
- For a knocked-out adult tooth, hold it by the top (not the root), rinse it gently, and try to place it back in its socket or keep it in milk. Being seen quickly matters most.
- For a broken tooth, rinse with warm water, keep any pieces, and hold a cold compress on your cheek for swelling.
- If swelling is spreading, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to a hospital emergency department.
Step 2
During the visit
- The dentist asks what happened and examines the area. An X-ray is often taken.
- Pain is dealt with first, usually with local anaesthetic.
- Treatment may be temporary, such as a soothing filling or smoothing a broken edge, or the problem may be fixed in one visit.
- The dentist explains what was done and whether you need another appointment.
Step 3
After and recovery
- Follow any instructions you are given about eating, pain relief, or medication.
- Keep your follow-up appointment even if the pain goes away. A temporary fix is not meant to last.
- Call again if pain, swelling, or fever gets worse.
Common questions
What counts as a dental emergency?
Severe pain, a knocked-out or badly broken tooth, bleeding that will not stop, or swelling in the face or gums are good reasons to call right away. A lost filling or a small chip can often wait for the next available appointment, but call to check.
Should I go to the hospital or the dentist?
For most tooth problems, call a dentist first. Go to a hospital emergency department for swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, a serious injury to the face or jaw, or bleeding you cannot control.
What can I do for a toothache until I am seen?
Rinse with warm water, floss gently to remove anything caught, and hold a cold compress on the outside of your cheek. Over-the-counter pain relief may help if you follow the package directions. Never put aspirin directly on the gum.