First, know when to call 911
Most dental emergencies hurt, but they are not life-threatening. A few are, and you should not call the dentist first. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if someone has:
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Bleeding that does not stop after several minutes of firm pressure
- Big swelling of the face, jaw or neck, or swelling that spreads fast
- A hard hit to the face that may have broken a bone
For everything else, call us
We offer emergency care 24/7 by phone at 305-271-1421. Our office in Kendall Place is open Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. But you can call any time. Tell us what happened, and we will tell you what to do.
Before you call, have these answers ready:
- What happened, and when it started
- Which tooth or area hurts
- If there is swelling, bleeding or fever
- Any medicines you take, especially blood thinners
A knocked-out tooth: the first hour counts
A knocked-out adult tooth can often be saved if you act fast. It has the best chance if it is back in within one hour. Cleveland Clinic says this. Do this:
- Hold the tooth by the crown, the white part you chew with. Do not touch the root.
- If it is dirty, rinse it gently with water. Do not scrub, dry or wrap it.
- Try to slide it back into its hole, facing the right way. Never force it. Bite on clean gauze or a cloth to hold it.
- If it will not go back in, keep it wet. A small cup of milk is best. You can also hold it between your cheek and gum.
- Call 305-271-1421 right away.
A broken or cracked tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water. Save any broken pieces, rinse them and bring them. If it bleeds, press clean gauze on it for about 10 minutes. A cold pack on your cheek helps with pain and swelling.
A small chip that does not hurt can usually wait for a regular visit. Call us soon if the tooth hurts, broke in a fall, or cuts your tongue.
Toothache, swelling or a lost crown
For a bad toothache, rinse with warm water and floss gently to remove stuck food. If your cheek is swollen, put a cold pack on the outside. Never put aspirin or any pain pill on your gum or tooth. It can burn the gum. Ask your pharmacist which pain reliever is safe for you.
Swelling near a tooth, a bad taste or a bump on the gum needs care. Do not wait. Rinse with a cup of warm water and half a teaspoon of salt. This keeps the area clean while you call us. If swelling spreads to your face, eye or neck, call 911. Do the same if you have trouble breathing or swallowing.
A lost crown is usually not dangerous. Still, call us so we can see you soon. Keep the crown. Until your visit, hold it in with a little toothpaste or denture glue. Pharmacy dental cement also works. Never use super glue. For a lost filling, use sugarless gum or pharmacy dental cement for a short time.
If something is stuck between your teeth, use floss. Never use a pin, a knife or anything sharp.
What happens when you get here
The dentist checks the tooth and takes digital X-rays if needed. First, we work to ease your pain. Then we plan how to fix it for good. That may be a filling, a crown or a root canal. A root canal cleans out the inside of the tooth. If a tooth cannot be saved, we remove it gently and talk about replacing it.
We have served South Florida since 1973. Find us at 8833 SW 107th Ave, in the Kendall Mall. Save our number in your phone today: 305-271-1421.
Common questions
Can I call you outside office hours?
Yes. Emergency care is available 24/7 by phone at 305-271-1421. We will tell you what to do and when to come in.
Should I go to the ER for a toothache?
Go to the ER or call 911 if you have the danger signs above. For a toothache without them, call us first. The ER can treat pain or infection, but it does not fix teeth.
Can I keep a knocked-out tooth in water?
Milk is better, because plain water is bad for the root. Without milk, use water with a pinch of salt for a short time. Or keep the tooth between your cheek and gum.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Your dentist will confirm what is right for you at your exam. General information checked against: my.clevelandclinic.org, my.clevelandclinic.org, mouthhealthy.org.