Nobody plans for a dental emergency. You’re eating dinner, playing with your kids, sleeping — and then suddenly there’s pain you can’t ignore, or a tooth that wasn’t loose five minutes ago. It’s scary. And the first thing most people do is panic a little.
That’s okay. I’ve treated hundreds of dental emergencies, and I can tell you: most of them are very fixable, especially when you get in quickly. If you’re in pain right now, call us at (479) 231-1025. We can often see you today.
But if you’ve got a few minutes and want to know what to do next, here’s what I tell my own patients.
Common Dental Emergencies We See
These are the situations that walk through our door most often:
- Severe toothache — constant, throbbing pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter relief.
- Chipped or broken tooth — from biting something hard, a fall, or a sports impact.
- Knocked-out tooth — time is critical here. The faster you act, the better the chance we can save it.
- Lost crown or filling — leaves the tooth exposed and sensitive.
- Dental abscess — swelling, a bad taste in your mouth, or pain that radiates into your jaw.
What to Do Right Now (By Situation)
Knocked-out tooth: Pick it up by the crown (the white part), not the root. If it’s dirty, rinse it gently with water but don’t scrub it. Try to place it back in the socket if you can. If you can’t, put it in a glass of milk or hold it inside your cheek. Then call us immediately. Minutes matter.
Severe pain: If your physician hasn’t told you to avoid them, ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) taken as directed can help manage pain until you’re seen. These medications do not treat the underlying dental problem — prompt evaluation is still important. Don’t put aspirin directly on the gum (this actually burns the tissue). A cold compress on the outside of your cheek can help with swelling. Call us to get in the same day.
Broken tooth: Save any pieces you can find. Rinse your mouth gently with warm water. If there’s bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze. Come in so we can assess the damage and protect what’s left.
Lost crown: You can find temporary dental cement at most pharmacies as a short-term fix. Don’t try to glue it back on with household adhesive. Call us to get in quickly — the underlying tooth needs protection.
When to Go to the ER Instead
If you’re seeing swelling that’s spreading into your jaw, neck, or throat — or if you’re having trouble breathing or swallowing — go to the emergency room. Those are signs of a serious infection spreading, and that needs immediate medical attention. A dentist handles the tooth; the ER handles life-threatening complications. Once you’re stable, we can take care of the dental side.
Why Patients Choose Mint for Emergencies
We have four doctors on staff, so there’s almost always room to work you in. We’re open until 7pm Monday through Friday, which means you don’t have to suffer through the night or miss a full day of work. And our team is trained to keep you comfortable, even when you’re hurting and anxious. That’s what we do.
Learn more about our emergency dental care or just call us directly.
Don’t wait out the pain. Call (479) 231-1025 or text (833) 326-1994 — we’ll get you in.