What to Do in a Dental Emergency: A Quick Guide

A dental emergency can happen at any moment -- during a weekend soccer game, while biting into a hard piece of food, or in the middle of the night when every dentist's office is closed. Knowing how to respond in those first critical minutes can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Dr. Homan Hanasab, DDS, MS, CAGS, the official LA Clippers Team Dentist at American Dental Group in West Covina, has treated dental emergencies at every level, from professional athletes on the court to families right here in our community.

This guide will walk you through the most common dental emergencies, what to do immediately, and when to call our office at (626) 337-7271 for same-day care.

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

Not every dental issue requires an urgent visit, but some situations demand immediate attention. Understanding the difference helps you act quickly when it truly matters and avoid unnecessary panic when it does not.

Seek immediate care for:

• A knocked-out (avulsed) permanent tooth
• A cracked or fractured tooth with severe pain or exposed nerve
• Uncontrollable bleeding from the mouth
• A dental abscess or signs of spreading infection (swelling, fever)
• Trauma to the jaw or face that affects your bite

Can usually wait 1-2 days:

• A minor chip with no pain
• A lost filling or crown that is not causing sharp pain
• Mild, manageable toothache
• A small object stuck between teeth that you cannot remove with floss

When in doubt, call our emergency dentistry line. We would always rather hear from you and help you assess the situation than have you wait on a problem that is getting worse.

Knocked-Out Tooth: Every Minute Counts

A completely knocked-out permanent tooth is one of the most time-sensitive dental emergencies. If you act within 30 minutes, there is a strong chance the tooth can be successfully replanted and saved.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Find the tooth. Pick it up by the crown (the white part you normally see). Never touch the root -- the delicate cells on the root surface are essential for reattachment.
2. Gently rinse if dirty. If the tooth fell on the ground, rinse it briefly with milk or saline solution. Do not scrub, scrape, or use soap or chemicals.
3. Try to reinsert it. If possible, gently place the tooth back into the socket and hold it in place by biting down softly on a clean cloth. This is the single best way to keep the tooth alive.
4. Keep it moist. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, place it in a small container of milk, saline, or a tooth preservation kit (such as Save-a-Tooth). As a last resort, hold the tooth between your cheek and gum. Do not store it in plain water.
5. Get to us fast. Call (626) 337-7271 immediately so we can prepare for your arrival.

Cracked or Broken Tooth

A cracked tooth can range from a minor cosmetic chip to a deep fracture that exposes the nerve. Regardless of severity, take these immediate steps:

• Rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean the area.
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling -- 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.
• If you can find the broken piece, save it in milk and bring it to your appointment.
• Cover any sharp edges with dental wax or sugar-free gum to protect your tongue and cheeks.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen. Avoid aspirin, which can increase bleeding.

Even if the crack seems minor and there is no pain, schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist as soon as possible. Hairline fractures can worsen quickly, allowing bacteria to reach the inner pulp of the tooth and cause infection.

Severe Toothache

A sudden, intense toothache often signals an underlying problem such as an abscess, deep cavity, or cracked tooth. While you wait to see us, these steps can help manage the pain:

• Rinse with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of water) to reduce bacteria and ease inflammation.
• Floss gently around the affected tooth to make sure trapped food is not contributing to the pain.
• Use over-the-counter pain relief. Ibuprofen works well for dental pain because it reduces both pain and swelling.
• Apply a cold compress to your cheek if there is any visible swelling.
• Avoid hot, cold, or sweet foods that may intensify the pain.

When to call immediately: If the toothache is accompanied by fever, facial swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or a foul taste in your mouth, these are signs of a possible infection that needs urgent professional care.

Lost Filling or Crown

A filling or crown that falls out leaves the underlying tooth exposed and vulnerable. While this is not always a same-day emergency, you should protect the tooth and schedule an appointment within a day or two.

• Save the crown or filling if you can find it -- bring it to your appointment.
• Apply a small amount of over-the-counter dental cement, denture adhesive, or even a dab of toothpaste to temporarily reattach a crown.
• If the exposed tooth is sensitive, apply clove oil with a cotton swab for temporary relief.
• Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth.
• Do not use household glue to reattach a crown or filling.

Abscess or Dental Infection

A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. It typically appears as a painful, swollen bump on the gums near the affected tooth and may look like a small pimple. This is a serious condition that will not resolve on its own and can become life-threatening if the infection spreads.

While waiting for your appointment, rinse gently with warm salt water several times a day to help draw the infection toward the surface and provide temporary relief. Do not attempt to pop or drain the abscess yourself. Contact our emergency dental team right away -- abscesses require professional treatment, which typically includes draining the infection and prescribing antibiotics.

Bitten Tongue or Lip with Heavy Bleeding

Biting your tongue or lip hard enough to cause heavy bleeding can be alarming, but most cases can be managed at home:

• Clean the area gently with water.
• Apply firm pressure with a clean cloth or gauze for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Use a cold compress on the outside of the mouth to reduce swelling and slow bleeding.
• If the bleeding does not stop after 20 minutes of steady pressure, or if the wound is deep or gaping, head to the emergency room.

Object Caught Between Teeth

A piece of food, popcorn hull, or other object wedged between teeth can cause surprising pain and, if left in place, may lead to infection.

• Try to remove the object gently with dental floss, using a careful back-and-forth motion.
• A dental pick or interdental brush may also help.
• Never use sharp or pointed objects such as pins, needles, or knives -- these can damage gum tissue or tooth enamel.
• If you cannot remove the object with floss, call our office. We have the tools to remove it safely without causing damage.

Build a Dental Emergency Kit

Being prepared can save precious time when a dental emergency strikes. Keep a small kit at home and consider one for your car or gym bag:

• Sterile gauze pads -- for controlling bleeding
• Small container with a lid -- for storing a knocked-out tooth in milk
• Tooth preservation kit (such as Save-a-Tooth) -- contains a pH-balanced solution to keep a knocked-out tooth alive for up to 24 hours
• Over-the-counter dental cement -- for temporarily reattaching a crown
• Ibuprofen -- for pain and swelling
• Dental wax -- to cover sharp edges from a broken tooth or orthodontic wire
• Clove oil -- a natural analgesic for tooth pain
• Our office number: (626) 337-7271

When to Go to the ER vs. Calling the Dentist

In most dental emergencies, your dentist is the best first call. Emergency rooms are generally not equipped to perform dental procedures like reimplanting a tooth or treating an abscess at its source. However, there are situations where the ER is the right choice:

Call your dentist for: knocked-out teeth, cracked or broken teeth, severe toothaches, lost fillings or crowns, abscesses, and soft tissue injuries that are not life-threatening. At American Dental Group, Dr. Hanasab and our team are experienced in handling urgent dental situations quickly and effectively, with the same level of care we provide to professional athletes.

We Are Here When You Need Us

A dental emergency is stressful, but you do not have to face it alone. At American Dental Group, we reserve time in our schedule for same-day emergency visits because we know that dental trauma does not wait for a convenient appointment time.

If you or a family member is experiencing a dental emergency in West Covina or the surrounding areas, call us immediately at (626) 337-7271. You can also request an appointment online. The sooner you reach us, the more options we have to save your tooth and get you out of pain.

For more information about how we handle urgent dental situations, visit our emergency dentist and emergency dentistry service pages.