In a dental emergency, call a dentist right away, control any bleeding with gentle pressure, save every tooth or fragment, and use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek for swelling. Go to an emergency room or call 911 for trouble breathing or swallowing, bleeding that will not stop, a suspected broken jaw, or a serious head injury. Then get to a dentist as soon as you safely can.
You do not need to be sure it is an emergency before calling. Describe what happened and the office will tell you how quickly you need to be seen.
What counts as a dental emergency?
- Severe or constant tooth pain. See when tooth pain needs a dentist and toothache at night.
- A knocked-out permanent tooth. Time matters. See what to do with a knocked-out adult or baby tooth.
- A broken, chipped or cracked tooth. See repair options for chipped and broken teeth.
- Swelling in the face or gums, fever, or a bad taste or pus. See dentist or ER for a tooth infection.
- A loose adult tooth, or a crown, bridge or filling that came out. See loose adult tooth and bridge came loose.
- Bleeding after an injury or extraction that does not stop with pressure.
Dentist or emergency room?
| What is happening | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Trouble breathing or swallowing; swelling spreading to the eye or neck; uncontrolled bleeding; a suspected broken jaw; loss of consciousness or a serious head injury | Emergency room or 911. |
| Knocked-out permanent tooth, severe tooth pain, a broken tooth, a swollen gum or face with no breathing problem | Emergency dentist, today. |
| A lost filling or crown without much pain, or a chipped tooth with no sharp edge | Call a dentist for the next available appointment. |
Step-by-step: what to do
- Stay calm and call a dentist. Say what happened, when, and what hurts. Ask whether the office can see you today and what time to arrive. If you are not sure whether to call a dentist or the ER, call the dentist while you check the table above.
- Control bleeding. Press clean gauze or a clean cloth on the area for at least 10 minutes without lifting to check. If it is still bleeding heavily after that, go to an emergency room.
- If a permanent tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown, not the root. Rinse it gently if it is dirty and put it back in the socket if it goes easily. If it will not go back, keep it in milk, not plain water, and get to a dentist quickly. The American Association of Endodontists advises acting within 30 minutes when possible. Never put a baby tooth back in the socket.
- Save broken pieces. Rinse your mouth gently with warm water and keep any fragment in a clean container to bring with you. Whether it can be reused is the dentist’s decision.
- Ease pain and swelling. Hold a cold compress on the outside of the cheek for short periods. Take pain medicine only as the label directs and as is safe for you; the ADA acute dental pain guideline supports over-the-counter options for short-term relief. Never put aspirin on the tooth or gum, and do not try to drain a swelling.
- Protect the tooth. Eat soft food, chew on the other side, and avoid very hot, cold or hard food. Cover a sharp edge with dental wax or sugar-free gum.
- Get there safely. If you are in severe pain, dizzy or have had a head injury, ask someone else to drive. Bring ID, insurance details, a list of medicines and allergies, and any tooth or fragment you saved.
- Follow the dentist’s instructions. Some problems are fixed at the first visit. A crown, root canal or replacement can take more than one appointment, and the follow-up matters even if the pain has gone.
These steps are first aid, not treatment. Do not use household glue on a tooth and do not try to file a rough edge yourself.
Be ready before the next one
A small kit helps: clean gauze, dental wax, a small container with a lid, a cold pack and your dentist’s number. Our page on dental emergency kits lists what to keep at home and in the car. Children and adults who play contact sports should wear a mouthguard.
Get emergency dental care in Houston and Katy
URBN Dental offers same-day emergency appointments at Houston-area locations, with walk-ins welcome and Saturday availability. Hours and available treatments vary, so choose a location and call to confirm that the office can see you now. In Katy, see emergency dental services in Katy. You can also book online for a problem that is not urgent.
For nights and weekends, read weekend dental emergencies and same-day or walk-in dentist care. If cost is a worry, see the emergency dental cost guide, ask about PPO insurance benefits, and look at financing options.
Dental emergency questions
Can I wait until Monday?
Not if you have swelling, fever, severe pain, uncontrolled bleeding or a knocked-out tooth. A minor chip or a crown that came off without pain can often wait for the next appointment, but call so the office can advise you.
Should I go to the ER for a dental emergency?
Go to the ER for breathing or swallowing problems, spreading facial swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, a suspected broken jaw or a serious head injury. Emergency rooms can stabilize you but usually cannot repair a tooth, so you will still need a dentist.
What if the pain stops before I am seen?
Still go. Pain can ease while the cause remains, and sudden relief after severe pain can happen when the nerve inside a tooth has died. A dentist needs to look.
General first-aid information only. It does not replace advice from a dentist or emergency medical team.
Sources: ADA MouthHealthy: dental emergencies, NHS toothache guidance, American Association of Endodontists: knocked-out teeth.
