Dental emergencies rarely come with a warning. One second everything’s fine, the next you’re staring at a tooth in your hand or dealing with pain that makes your eyes water.
What you do in those first few minutes matters. According to ADA Mouth Healthy, the right steps can save a tooth, prevent infection, and make your dentist’s job a lot easier. Here’s a quick-reference guide for the most common dental emergencies.
Knocked-Out Tooth: Step-by-Step
Time matters here. A knocked-out permanent tooth has the best chance of being saved if you get to a dentist within 30 minutes. Here’s what to do:
Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (the white part you can see when you smile). Don’t touch the root. Rinse it gently under water for no more than 10 seconds. Don’t scrub it or remove any tissue still attached. Try to place it back in the socket. Bite down gently on a clean cloth to hold it in place. If you can’t reinsert it, drop it in a small cup of milk. Saliva works too — you can hold it between your cheek and gum. Call your dentist immediately for emergency dental care in Rexburg.
One important note: this applies to permanent teeth only. If a child loses a baby tooth from an injury, don’t try to put it back. It can damage the permanent tooth underneath. Apply pressure to stop the bleeding and call the dentist.
Cracked or Broken Tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water right away. If there’s bleeding, hold gauze against the area for 10 minutes. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to manage swelling and pain.
If you can find the broken piece, bring it with you. Don’t chew on that side of your mouth. Depending on how deep the crack goes, your dentist might repair it with a filling, dental crowns, or a root canal.
Lost Crown or Filling
Don’t panic — this is uncomfortable but usually not dangerous. If you still have the crown, try slipping it back over the tooth using a thin layer of over-the-counter dental cement or toothpaste to hold it temporarily. Don’t use super glue.
If a filling fell out, you can place a piece of sugar-free gum over the cavity as a temporary cover. Either way, call your dentist within a day or two. The exposed tooth is more vulnerable without its protective layer.
Severe Toothache
Rinse with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of water). Floss gently around the tooth to check for trapped food. Take ibuprofen for pain — it also reduces inflammation. Don’t place aspirin directly on the gum. It causes chemical burns on the tissue.
If the pain is severe, constant, or comes with fever or swelling, don’t wait. That often signals an infection that needs professional treatment.
Object Stuck Between Teeth
Try dental floss first. Gently work it between the teeth and around the stuck object. Don’t use sharp tools like pins, toothpicks, or knives — you’ll risk cutting your gums or pushing the object deeper.
If floss doesn’t work, call your dentist. We can remove it safely without damaging the tooth or gum tissue.
Soft Tissue Injury (Lip, Tongue, Cheek)
Mouths bleed a lot, even from small cuts. Rinse with a mild salt water solution. Press a piece of wet gauze or a cold, damp tea bag (the tannic acid helps slow bleeding) firmly against the wound for 15 to 20 minutes.
Apply a cold compress to the outside of your face to reduce swelling. If the bleeding doesn’t stop after 20 minutes of continuous pressure, head to the emergency room.
When to Go to the ER Instead of the Dentist
Most dental emergencies are best handled by a dentist, not an ER doctor. Emergency rooms can prescribe antibiotics and pain medication, but they typically can’t perform dental procedures.
Go to the ER if you have uncontrolled bleeding that won’t stop with pressure, broken facial bones from a fall or impact, swelling that’s making it hard to breathe or swallow, or a high fever with facial swelling. For everything else, your dentist is the better call.
Keep Our Number Handy
Dental emergencies don’t wait for business hours. At Family First Dental in Rexburg, we offer same-day emergency appointments, Saturday hours from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and evening availability on Tuesday and Thursday.
Save our number: (208) 400-9946. When something goes wrong with your teeth, you’ll know exactly who to call. Contact Family First Dental and we’ll get you taken care of.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I put a knocked-out tooth in water?
No. Water can damage the delicate root cells. Milk is the best option because its pH and chemical makeup help preserve the tooth. If milk isn’t available, hold the tooth in your mouth between your cheek and gum.
Can I use super glue to reattach a crown?
No. Super glue contains chemicals that can irritate gum tissue and damage the tooth. Use over-the-counter dental cement or toothpaste as a temporary hold until you see your dentist.
How quickly should I see a dentist for a dental emergency?
For a knocked-out tooth, within 30 minutes gives you the best chance. For severe pain, swelling, or uncontrolled bleeding, same-day care is recommended. For less urgent issues like a lost filling, within one to two days is usually fine.
Does Family First Dental see emergency patients on weekends?
Yes. We’re open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call (208) 400-9946 to schedule a same-day emergency visit.