Most tooth trouble can wait for a regular appointment. A few signs cannot. Spreading facial swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, a tooth knocked out, and bleeding that will not stop all need care the same day, and some need an emergency room rather than a dental chair. This page sorts the signs by how fast you should act.
Which dental emergencies should you not wait on?
Go to an emergency room or call 911 if swelling in your face, jaw, or under your tongue is spreading, if it is hard to swallow or breathe, or if you cannot open your mouth. A tooth infection can spread beyond the tooth, and these are the signs that it is doing so. A fever with a swollen face belongs in the same group.
Call a dentist the same day for the next group: severe pain that keeps you up and does not ease with over-the-counter pain relievers taken as the label directs, a tooth that has been knocked out or pushed out of position, a broken tooth with sharp pain, and bleeding that continues after about ten minutes of firm pressure with clean gauze.
What does an abscess look like?
An abscess is a pocket of infection. It often shows up as a throbbing toothache, a bad taste, a bump on the gum that may leak, and pain when you bite. Some people notice swollen glands under the jaw. A bump that drains can make the pain feel better for a few hours, which tricks people into waiting. It does not mean the infection is gone.
See a dentist the same day or the next morning. If a fever or facial swelling joins the picture, move up to the emergency room. Do not use leftover antibiotics yourself, and do not try to drain it. Antibiotics alone may not solve the underlying cause, and the right choice depends on an exam.
What should you do if a tooth is knocked out or broken?
For a knocked-out adult tooth, speed matters. Pick it up by the crown, not the root, and rinse it briefly in milk or clean water without scrubbing. If you can, gently place it back in the socket and hold it there while you head to the dentist. If you cannot, keep it moist in milk and go at once. Do not let it dry out. Baby teeth are different, and they are usually not put back, so call the office for advice.
For a cracked or chipped tooth, rinse with warm water, apply a cold compress to the cheek if it is swollen, and save any piece you can find. Sharp edges can be covered with a bit of sugar-free gum or dental wax until you are seen. Pain on biting, lingering pain to hot or cold, or a visible crack running toward the gum should be looked at within a day or two, not weeks. Cracks rarely heal on their own.
Which problems are urgent but not an emergency?
- A lost filling or crown with no severe pain. Cover it, keep food off that side, and call for the earliest slot.
- A mild toothache or sensitivity that is new. Book a visit this week, and read about sensitivity after a cleaning if you have had one recently.
- Gums that bleed on their own, swell in one spot, or taste bad. Our note on bleeding gums after flossing explains what is routine and what is not.
- A sore in the mouth that has not healed in about two weeks. Have it checked, even if it does not hurt.
If you are pregnant, have diabetes, take a blood thinner, or have a weak immune system, treat bleeding and swelling as more serious and call sooner. Tell the office about your medicines when you call.
What should you do while you wait for care?
Rinse gently with warm salt water, avoid very hot, cold, or chewy food, and sleep with your head raised if the area throbs. Do not put aspirin directly on the gum; it can burn the tissue. Do not apply heat to a swollen cheek, because it can encourage swelling. A cold compress held on the outside of the cheek is safer.
When you call, say what happened, when it started, whether there is swelling or fever, and what medicines you take. A quick, specific description helps the office decide how fast to see you. Our red-flags page keeps the short list in one place, and the how-to guides cover routine care once the emergency is over.
This article is general education and cannot replace an exam. If you are unsure whether something is an emergency, call your dentist or go to the nearest emergency room. Do not wait to find out.