The short answer
For most dental emergencies, call a dentist first. Go to the ER if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling that is spreading fast, bleeding you cannot stop, or a serious injury to the face or head. An ER can keep you safe, but only a dentist can fix a tooth.
That second part surprises many people. Most hospital emergency rooms do not have a dentist on duty. They can give you pain medicine and antibiotics, but they cannot do a root canal, put a tooth back in or fill a cavity. You often leave still needing to see a dentist, and with a big bill.
This guide is for adults and older children. If your child is hurt or very sick, trust your gut and go to the ER or call 911. Children can get worse faster than adults.
When to go to the ER right away
If you are unsure, ask yourself whether you would call an ambulance for a similar problem somewhere else on your body. If the answer is yes, treat the mouth the same way.
Go to the nearest emergency room, or call 911, if you have any of these:
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Swelling of the face or neck that is growing quickly, or swelling that closes your eye
- Bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes of firm pressure
- A broken jaw or a hard hit to the head, with confusion, vomiting or passing out
- A fever with facial swelling when you cannot reach a dentist
When a dentist is the right call
The American Dental Association puts many problems in an urgent group that should be seen by a dentist quickly. This includes severe tooth pain, an abscess with local swelling, a knocked-out or displaced tooth and a broken tooth that hurts. A dentist can treat the cause, not only the symptom.
A lost crown or filling, a chipped tooth that does not hurt, a loose brace wire or a bit of food stuck between teeth are also dentist problems, but usually not urgent. You can often wait for the next available appointment and use the first-aid tips for the meantime.
If you are not sure which group you fall in, call. Dental offices are used to this question and will tell you whether you should come in, go to the ER or wait for the next day.
As a rule, if the problem is in a tooth or the gum around it and you can breathe and swallow, a dentist is your first stop. A dentist can find the cause, treat it and plan what comes next, which is something an ER is not set up to do.
What an ER can and cannot do
At an emergency room, doctors can check your vital signs, treat a serious infection, give pain medicine and antibiotics and, if needed, send you to a specialist. For a life-threatening problem, that is exactly where you want to be.
They usually cannot take X-rays of your teeth the way a dentist does, drain a tooth, repair a crack, replant a tooth or fix a filling. The pain medicine helps for a short time, and when it wears off the tooth is still broken. Plan to call a dentist the next day.
There are times when the ER visit and the dental visit are both needed. For example, a serious infection might get IV antibiotics at the hospital, and then a dentist takes care of the tooth when you are stable. If that happens, call your dentist as soon as you can so the tooth gets treated before the infection comes back.
Keep in mind that an ER visit can cost far more than a dental visit for the same toothache, and you may still need the dentist afterward. That is a good reason to call a dentist first whenever it is safe to do so.
What a dentist can do the same day
A dentist who sees emergencies can usually do more in a single visit than people expect. They can take digital X-rays, find the tooth, numb it and start treatment. That can mean opening the tooth to drain an infection, starting a root canal, putting a knocked-out tooth back in, bonding a chip or placing a temporary filling or crown.
Treatment at the dentist also tends to cost less than a hospital visit for the same problem. Ask about insurance, payment options and financing when you call.
When you call, give the key facts in the first minute: which tooth, when it started, how bad the pain is from 1 to 10, and whether you have swelling or a fever. That short list helps the front desk decide how soon to see you.
Many dental emergencies end with a short, simple treatment and a plan. You do not have to decide everything on the spot. Your dentist can stabilize the tooth, relieve the pain and schedule the rest for later.
How to decide in 30 seconds
Ask yourself three questions. Can I breathe and swallow normally? Is the swelling spreading fast or near my eye or neck? Did I hit my head or break my jaw? If the answer to the first is no, or to the second or third is yes, go to the ER or call 911.
If the answer is that you can breathe, the swelling is small or none, and the problem is in a tooth, call a dentist. If the office is closed, look for one that offers emergency care. If you cannot reach anyone and the pain is severe or you have a fever, go to the ER. It is the right backup plan.
One more thing. If you are on a limited budget, do not let money keep you away. Dental offices often have payment plans and financing, and a small problem treated early costs far less than a big one. Ask before you decide to wait.
Write down three things now, while you are calm: the phone number of your dentist, the address of the closest emergency room and a list of your medicines. Put them in your phone and tell your family where they are. When an emergency comes, you will not need to look anything up.
What to bring and say
Whichever you choose, it helps to be ready. Bring your ID, your insurance card, a list of your medicines and allergies and any piece of tooth or crown that broke off. Tell the staff when the problem began, what you have taken for the pain and whether you have a fever.
If you take blood thinners, have a heart condition or have diabetes, say so. Those facts change how a dentist or doctor treats you.
If you can, write the time the problem began, since for injuries like a knocked-out tooth the clock matters. Take a photo of any swelling to show how it changes. And keep your phone charged and nearby so the office can reach you.
Emergency care in Kendall
Save our number in your phone before you need it.
KDA lists emergency care 24/7. If you are in pain, call us at 305-271-1421 and tell us what is going on. Our regular office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and we are closed Saturday and Sunday.
You will find us at 8833 SW 107th Ave, Miami, FL 33176, in the Kendall Mall. We have served South Florida since 1973. We take digital X-rays and 3D scans in the office, so we can see what is wrong the same visit. We accept most dental insurances and most Medicare supplemental plans, and financing is available.
Free X-ray, exam and consultation. New Patient Special. New patients only.
The patient and any other person responsible for payment has the right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to any advertisement for the free, discounted fee or reduced fee service, examination or treatment. D0191, C6182
Common questions
Can an ER fix a toothache?
They can treat pain and infection, but usually not the tooth itself. You will still need a dentist.
Is a dental emergency covered by insurance?
Many plans cover emergency dental care, but coverage varies. Ask the office and your plan.
Should I go to the ER for a knocked-out tooth?
Call a dentist first. Go to the ER if you cannot reach one, or if you have other injuries.
What if it is the weekend or night?
Call a dentist who offers emergency care. If you cannot reach one and you have severe symptoms, go to the ER.
Is a lost filling an emergency?
Usually not, but see a dentist soon, as the tooth can break or get infected.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Your dentist will confirm what is right for you at your exam. General information checked against: dentalcompare.com, mayoclinic.org, dentaquest.com.