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Emergency dental care may be necessary if you develop a serious infection or are unlucky enough to sustain an injury that affects your teeth, jaws, or facial bones.
We know a dental emergency can be extremely upsetting, so we are here to help you with kind, compassionate dental care. With our assistance, we can soon ensure you feel more comfortable and pain-free.
In this guide, you will learn more about urgent dental care, including when a problem needs immediate attention. We look at situations considered a dental emergency and those that may be less urgent and discuss what to do until you can see an emergency dentist in NYC.
A true dental emergency is a problem that needs urgent care and which cannot wait. Not all dental problems need immediate professional dental care. However, if you are in severe pain, have oral tissues that are bleeding continuously, or have broken facial bones, visit an emergency dental clinic.
The first thing to do is to get in touch with us. Our experienced and friendly dental team can offer immediate advice over the phone and will help you assess if the situation requires urgent dental care. We will schedule an appointment with you to see our dentist quickly if necessary.
We try to see you in a dental emergency as soon as possible, preferably on the same day. Our dentists keep one or two appointments free for this purpose and can provide expert, gentle dental care to relieve pain and discomfort.
Situations that may need emergency dental care include:
Some dental issues need immediate care, while others are less urgent. Below is some information on managing your dental emergency until you can see our dentist.
Rinse your mouth with warm water and try flossing in between the affected teeth. Sometimes, toothache can be caused by impacted food pushing a tooth out of place. Take over-the-counter painkillers, following the instructions on the packaging. Do not put painkillers on the tooth or gum, as they can burn your gum tissue. Use a cold compress to soothe any swelling outside your mouth.
Please schedule an appointment to see us as soon as you can. A severe toothache is generally a sign of infection and inflammation and cannot clear up without professional dental care.
A dental abscess is a severe tooth infection and can cause the gum around the tooth to become swollen and red. You may notice a pimple on the gum where pus tries to escape.
Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to help draw the pus to the surface. You can make a mouth rinse by dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. The mouth rinse will also help to ease the pain.
An abscess needs urgent dental care; otherwise, the infection can spread and even become life-threatening.
If you injure your cheeks, lips, tongue, or gums, causing bleeding, apply a clean piece of gauze and firm pressure to stop it. The bleeding should stop within fifteen to twenty minutes.
Another option is to use a damp teabag held against the injury. The tannins help the blood vessels to contract, slowing down bleeding.
If you cannot stop the bleeding after twenty minutes of pressure, go to the ER for emergency dental care.
If you are unlucky enough to knock out a tooth, there is a small chance it can be reinserted. Please pick up the tooth, hold it by the crown, and rinse off any visible dirt. If there are small pieces of tissue on the tooth root, leave these in place and do not remove them.
Try to reinsert the tooth back into the socket, but ensure it faces the right way around. Do not force the tooth; if it does not go back into the socket, store it in a small container of milk or water with a pinch of table salt.
Even if you can reinsert the tooth, come and see us immediately for urgent dental care.
Please schedule an appointment to visit our dental office immediately as we need to check the tooth and may splint it to the adjacent tooth to help hold it in place.
Until you can get to us, use over-the-counter painkillers to relieve any discomfort and pain. Use a cold compress to relieve any swelling outside your mouth.
Rinse your mouth with warm water and save any pieces of broken tooth to bring with you to your appointment. If the area is bleeding, use a clean piece of gauze and gentle pressure for about 10 minutes until it stops.
Seeing us quickly is important, even if the crack or chip doesn’t seem severe. We must ensure the dental pulp isn’t inflamed and provide suitable restorative care.
If a filling falls out, you can use a small piece of sugar-free gum or temporary dental cement to fill the tooth, but it’s important to get the restoration replaced as soon as possible.
If you have a loose crown or a crown falls out, you can use a small piece of sugar-free gum to try and secure it in place or save the crown and bring it with you to your appointment. Please don’t try to glue it back in your mouth. You will most likely damage your tooth; the crown and household glues are often toxic.
Some situations are not dental emergencies, but you should still make an appointment to see us as soon as possible. However, you don’t need to search for an emergency dentist open on Sunday, as you can schedule an appointment to see us during normal office hours.
Examples of problems that aren’t urgent dental emergencies include:
It’s important not to delay making a dental appointment for these issues because they could worsen without professional dental care.
You could be left searching for an emergency dentist on a Saturday instead of relaxing and enjoying your weekend.
When you contact our dental office to explain the problem, we can give you immediate and detailed advice over the phone on coping with these emergencies until your appointment.
There are certain situations when it’s best to go straight to the local emergency room. For example, if you have broken facial bones or uncontrollable bleeding affecting your facial tissues, you will likely need hospital care and the expertise of an oral surgeon.
You should also go to the local emergency room if you have a tooth infection causing severe facial swelling, fever, swollen lymph glands, and a general sense of being unwell. It could be that the infection has spread and, without urgent care, could become life-threatening.
Some dental emergencies are unavoidable, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of needing emergency dental care.
Practice good preventive oral care by seeing us regularly for checkups so we can clean your teeth professionally. We can closely monitor your dental health, pick up issues like failing restorations and small cavities, and provide treatment before they cause a bigger problem.
Between dental visits, ensure you brush twice daily and floss daily. It is a quick and easy routine that helps avoid bigger issues like tooth decay and gum disease.
If you have bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), ask us about a custom night guard that protects your teeth, gums, and jaw joints.
Sports enthusiasts should get a custom sports mouthguard. These fit comfortably, provide maximum protection for your teeth, gums, and jaws, and can help reduce your risk of concussion.
Between appointments, remain aware of any changes to your dental health, and contact us for help and advice. The sooner you get treatment for a small issue like tooth sensitivity or mild discomfort, the lower your risk of a bigger dental problem like a nasty tooth infection.
