A knocked-out tooth
Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. Gently rinse it without scrubbing, and if you can, place it back in the socket and bite on clean gauze. If that is not possible, keep it in milk or in your cheek and call the office right away. Time matters with a fully knocked-out tooth, so do not wait.
Severe toothache or swelling
Rinse with warm salt water and use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek for swelling. Follow the directions on any over-the-counter pain reliever you normally use. Swelling that is spreading, or that comes with fever or difficulty swallowing, is urgent and may need same-day attention. Antibiotics alone do not resolve the underlying problem; they manage infection until definitive treatment.
Broken tooth, lost filling, or lost crown
Save any pieces and keep the area clean. A lost crown can sometimes be temporarily reseated with over-the-counter dental cement, but this is a stopgap, not a fix. Avoid chewing on that side and call to be seen so the tooth does not get worse.
When to call
If you are in significant pain, have bleeding that will not stop, or have facial swelling, call the office right away rather than waiting it out. Describing the problem on the phone helps the team prioritize and prepare for your visit.
Common questions
Can I be seen the same day for a dental emergency?
Call the office and describe the problem. Urgent issues like severe pain, swelling, or a knocked-out tooth are prioritized for prompt attention.
Should I go to the ER for a dental emergency?
For uncontrolled bleeding, trauma, or swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, seek emergency medical care. For most tooth-specific problems, a dentist is the right first call.
Talk it through with the team
Every mouth is different, and the only plan that means anything is one based on an exam of yours. Book a consultation or call the office and the team will give you straight answers and clear next steps.
