A dental emergency is any oral problem involving severe pain, uncontrolled bleeding, infection, swelling that's spreading, or a knocked-out tooth — anything that needs prompt care to prevent permanent damage or save the tooth. Issues without pain or bleeding (like a small chip or a lost filling that doesn't hurt) are usually not emergencies and can wait for a regular appointment.

For most dental issues, your dentist is the right call — they have the tools and training to actually fix the problem. Go to the ER instead if you have a broken jaw or facial bone, uncontrolled bleeding, swelling that's affecting your breathing or swallowing, or any head/neck trauma alongside the dental injury. ER staff can manage pain and infection but typically can't perform restorative dental work.

Pick the tooth up by the crown (never the root). Rinse it gently with water without scrubbing. If you can, place it back into the socket the right way around and bite down gently on a clean gauze. If you can't, store it in milk or saliva — not water — and get to a dentist within one hour. The first 60 minutes is when re-implantation has the highest success rate.

Mild, intermittent toothaches can usually wait. Severe, throbbing pain that wakes you up or doesn't respond to over-the-counter pain relievers usually means infection or nerve involvement — and that needs same-day care. If you're in serious pain at night, leave a voicemail at the office and head to an urgent care or ER if pain is unbearable.

Signs of a dental infection include constant or throbbing pain, swelling in your face or gums, a pimple-like bump on the gum (an abscess), a foul taste or smell, fever, and pain that worsens when you lie down. Infections need prompt treatment because they can spread. If you suspect one, call us right away.

If there's no pain, it's not an emergency. Cover the exposed area with a small piece of sugar-free gum or over-the-counter dental cement, avoid chewing on that side, and call us within a day or two. If you have a lost crown, bring it with you — we can often re-cement the original if it's intact.

Yes. We hold same-day appointment slots specifically for acute dental pain and emergencies. Call (940) 304-0205 as early in the day as you can — earlier calls give us more flexibility to fit you in. See our full emergency dental care information →

Dental anxiety is real, and it often gets worse when there's already pain involved. We offer sedation dentistry options — including nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation — so emergency care can still feel calm and manageable. Tell us when you call and we'll plan accordingly.

Over-the-counter ibuprofen (like Advil or Motrin) is usually the most effective for dental pain because it reduces inflammation. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) also helps. Take only as directed on the package. Never place aspirin directly on the gum or tooth — it burns soft tissue. A cold compress on the outside of your cheek reduces swelling and dulls pain too.