
What Is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation involving severe pain, trauma or infection that needs urgent professional care. Whether it is a sudden toothache, a chipped or cracked tooth, or swelling in the gums, getting treatment quickly can make a real difference in saving your tooth and preventing further damage. We keep appointment time held back each day for emergencies, so you are not left waiting when something goes wrong. Care is about more than relieving pain: it is about protecting your teeth and preventing more serious problems. Our priorities are fast relief, an accurate digital diagnosis and clear treatment options.
Emergency or Can It Wait?
Severe pain, persistent bleeding, facial swelling or a knocked-out adult tooth need immediate care. Minor chips without pain, dull aches or mild soft tissue irritation can usually be booked during regular hours, though you should still contact the office promptly.
- Knocked-Out Tooth Hold the tooth by the crown, never the root. Rinse it gently if dirty, then reinsert it if you can or keep it in cold milk or saliva, and call right away.
- Cracked or Chipped Tooth Rinse with warm water, hold a cold compress to your cheek and save any fragments. Prompt care helps prevent damage to the root or infection.
- Severe Toothache or Swelling Gently floss to clear trapped debris. Never place aspirin on the gums, as it can burn the tissue. Call for X-rays and targeted pain relief.
Benefits of Emergency Dental Care
Emergency care provides fast relief and helps protect your long-term oral health. Prompt treatment can reduce pain, control infection and prevent lasting damage to teeth and the surrounding tissue. Using modern diagnostic tools, we work to restore comfort quickly during a stressful moment.
What to Bring
- A valid photo ID
- Your dental insurance card
- A list of current medications
- Any tooth fragments in a clean container
After the Emergency
Once you are comfortable, we can plan any follow-up care, such as a root canal or a crown. See the full list of services.


The short answer
A dental emergency is any situation involving severe pain, trauma or infection that needs urgent professional care, such as a sudden toothache, a chipped or knocked-out tooth, or swelling in the gums. Getting treatment quickly can make a real difference in saving the tooth and preventing further damage. Appointment time is held back each day for emergencies, so call as soon as the problem starts and you will be told what to do in the meantime.
Emergency Dental Care FAQ
- What counts as a dental emergency?
- Severe pain, persistent bleeding, facial swelling or a knocked-out adult tooth need immediate care. A sudden toothache or a cracked tooth should also be seen quickly. If you are unsure, call and we will help you decide.
- What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?
- Handle the tooth only by the crown, never the root, and rinse it gently with water if it is dirty. Try to put it back in the socket, or keep it in cold milk or saliva. Call the office immediately, because treatment within 60 minutes offers the highest chance of saving the tooth.
- Can I be seen quickly?
- We keep appointment time held back each day for emergencies. Call as soon as the problem starts and we will get you seen as quickly as we can. We will also tell you what to do in the meantime.
- Should I put aspirin on a sore tooth?
- No. Placing aspirin directly on the gums can burn the tissue. Gently floss around the tooth to remove trapped debris and call the office for an evaluation.
Insurance & Financing
Benefits and participation vary by plan. Please contact our office so we can help you verify your coverage and understand your options before treatment.
CareCredit and Cherry are available. Terms and approval are set by each provider.
