What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can ease pain and even save a tooth. Here's how to handle the most common situations — and when to call us right away.

Knocked-out tooth

Pick the tooth up by the crown, never the root. Gently rinse it without scrubbing, and if you can, place it back in the socket. If that isn't possible, keep it in milk or saliva and call us immediately — time is critical for saving the tooth.

Severe toothache

Rinse with warm water and floss gently to remove anything trapped between teeth. A cold compress on the outside of the cheek helps with swelling. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gum.

Broken or chipped tooth

Save any pieces, rinse your mouth with warm water, and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Call us so we can repair it before the damage worsens.

When to call 911

If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, or bleeding that won't stop, seek emergency medical care immediately.

For any dental emergency in Half Moon Bay, call our office at (650) 726-7581 — we see emergencies as quickly as possible, often the same day.