What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Ann Blaine Coambs on September 11, 2026

A dental emergency is any injury or infection that puts your teeth, gums, or jaw at risk of lasting damage, and it calls for prompt care rather than a wait and see approach. Acting quickly, within the first hour whenever possible, gives you the best chance of saving a tooth and avoiding more extensive treatment down the road.

So how do you know if what you are experiencing is a true dental emergency, and what should you do about it? We have put together a guide to the most common dental emergencies and the immediate steps you can take before you reach our office.

Common Dental Emergencies and How to Respond

Every dental emergency calls for a slightly different response. Below are the situations we see most often, along with the immediate steps you can take before you reach a dentist or an emergency room.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Act quickly. Your best chance of saving the tooth is within the first 20 to 60 minutes after the accident.

If a permanent tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown, which is the whiter part that looks like a tooth, and avoid touching the root, the more yellow, cone shaped part. You need to act fast to prevent further damage to the surrounding teeth and gums.

If the tooth is dirty, rinse it briefly with water, but never scrub it or try to remove pieces of soft tissue. Then try to place it back into its socket, even with some bleeding present, and keep it in place with a piece of gauze or clean fabric while you close your teeth together to stabilize it.

If you cannot get the tooth back in, do not force it. Place the tooth in a container of milk or a tooth-preservation product with the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance, then get to your dentist’s office right away. If the tooth cannot be saved, our team can discuss restoration options, including a dental implant or a bridge, once the area has healed.

Broken or Chipped Tooth

A broken or chipped tooth can be a serious dental problem, since damage often occurs inside the tooth as well as on the outside. Contact your emergency dentist right away for an appointment.

Save any tooth fragments in cold milk and bring them to your appointment. Sometimes a fragment can be reattached, and even when it cannot, it gives your dentist clues about the injury and the restorative options available, which may include bonding or a dental crown depending on how much of the tooth is affected.

Gently rinse your mouth with warm water. You can take acetaminophen for pain and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling if the fracture was caused by trauma to the face.

Possible Broken Jaw

If you suspect your jaw is broken, apply a cold compress right away to help control swelling, and get to your hospital emergency department immediately. A suspected jaw fracture needs urgent medical attention rather than a dental appointment.

Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek

Clean the area gently with a clean cloth, or swish your mouth with warm salt water, then place a cold compress on the area to minimize swelling. If there is significant bleeding, or bleeding that does not stop after 10 to 15 minutes, see your emergency dentist or head to the hospital emergency department right away, since stitches may be necessary.

Severe Toothache or Possible Infection

A mild toothache may be caused by a cavity, food stuck between teeth, gum disease, or even a sinus infection. Start by rinsing your mouth with warm water and flossing to remove debris around the tooth. If your gums are swollen, apply a cold compress, and contact your dentist if the discomfort does not improve.

A more significant toothache can be a sign of tooth decay that has reached the nerve, or of a dental abscess that needs prompt attention. Swelling of the jaw or face, or pus near the gums, both point to a serious infection, and you should call your dentist immediately. An x-ray helps identify the source of the pain, and depending on what we find, treatment may include a root canal to remove the infection and save the tooth. Never crush painkillers and rub them directly on your gums, since this can cause a chemical burn.

If you are unsure whether ongoing tooth pain points to a deeper problem, keep track of when the pain started, what triggers it, and whether you notice any swelling, and share those details with our team so we can determine the right next step.

Baby Tooth Comes Out Early or Will Not Stop Bleeding

It is completely normal for a child’s baby teeth to fall out, and in most cases they will not bleed very much. If there is some bleeding, place a piece of gauze over the area and have your child bite down on it, or on a wet washcloth, for 10 to 15 minutes.

If a baby tooth comes out due to trauma, do not put it back into your child’s mouth. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes of steady pressure, take your child to the hospital emergency department right away, and contact your dentist as well, since attached tissue fragments sometimes need further care.

Cold Sores and Canker Sores

Cold sores, known clinically as herpes labialis, and canker sores, or apthous ulcers, are two different things. Cold sores appear as clusters on the outside of the mouth or its corners, while canker sores are typically larger red or white sores that occur inside the cheeks, lips, or under the tongue.

The herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, and outbreaks tend to resolve within 7 to 10 days, though they are contagious and can spread from person to person. Canker sores are not contagious and usually resolve on their own within one to two weeks. Rinsing with salt water, using over-the-counter oral gels, and avoiding high-alcohol mouthwashes can ease discomfort while either type of sore heals.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

Many dental emergencies are preventable. Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard during contact sports or other high-impact activities protects your teeth from chips, fractures, and full avulsions. Our custom sports mouthguards are built to fit your bite more precisely than an over-the-counter guard, and consistent use is one of the simplest ways to lower your risk of a sports-related dental injury.

According to the American Dental Association’s patient guidance on dental emergencies, keeping a knocked-out tooth moist and getting to a dentist as quickly as possible gives you the best chance of saving it, which is why we recommend keeping a small emergency kit, including a container and milk or a tooth-preservation product, on hand at home and at youth sporting events.

When to Contact Our Office

Dr. Ann Blaine Coambs and our team at Imagine Dentistry have helped Charlotte area patients manage dental emergencies for more than 20 years, from same-day toothache visits to knocked-out and broken teeth.

Dental emergencies can happen at any time, so it helps to know the steps above before you need them. If you are dealing with a dental emergency, contact our office right away or complete our contact form, and we will help you get the care you need as quickly as possible, even after hours or on the weekend.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Emergencies