It usually happens at the worst possible time. You are enjoying a nice dinner with your family, and suddenly, crack, you bite down on something hard and feel a sharp edge with your tongue. Or maybe you wake up in the middle of the night with a throbbing pain that just will not quit. Dental emergencies don’t make appointments. They show up uninvited, and they can be scary. But here is the good news: knowing what to do in the moment can make all the difference, and help is always close by.
What Actually Counts as a Dental Emergency?
Not every toothache requires a middle-of-the-night rush to the dentist. But some situations genuinely cannot wait. You should reach out to us right away if you experience:
- Severe tooth pain that keeps you from sleeping or focusing
- A knocked-out tooth (adult tooth, not a baby tooth)
- Loose or shifted teeth with no obvious explanation
- Swelling in your gums, face, or jaw, especially if paired with fever
- Bleeding that won’t stop from your mouth
- Broken dental work like a crown, bridge, or filling that leaves a sharp edge or exposed area
When in doubt, give us a call. We would much rather talk you through it and reassure you than have you suffer in silence.
What to Do While You Wait to Be Seen
Let’s walk through a couple common scenarios so you feel prepared.
If you knock out a tooth: Time is absolutely critical. Find the tooth and hold it by the crown (the part you chew with), not the root. If it looks dirty, gently rinse it with water. Do not scrub it or remove any tiny tissue fragments.
If you can, try to gently place it back in the socket and hold it there. If that isn’t possible, keep it moist in a small container of saliva. Then call us immediately at (610) 347-8302. We have seen teeth saved when patients act fast.
If you have a bad toothache: Gently floss around the area first. Sometimes something as simple as food stuck between teeth is the culprit. If the pain continues, rinse with warm salt water and take over-the-counter pain medication as directed.
You can apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek if you notice swelling. But please, never put aspirin directly on your gums. It burns the tissue and does not help the actual tooth.
If you crack, chip, or break a tooth: First, rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean the area. If you can find the piece that broke off, keep it in a small container of saliva. We may be able to bond it back in place.
Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to keep swelling down and help with any discomfort. If the break left a sharp edge that’s bothering your tongue or cheek, you can cover it temporarily with a piece of sugar-free gum or dental wax.
How We Handle Emergencies Differently
We understand that walking into a dental office during a crisis can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re someone who already feels nervous about dental visits. That’s exactly why our team approaches emergencies with an extra dose of compassion.
When you call Williamsburg Dental with an urgent concern, we make every effort to see you the same day. You’ll be welcomed into our office on Williamsburg Drive by a team that genuinely cares about getting you comfortable again. Dr. Tibbetts, Dr. Gettes, or Dr. Spennato will take the time to listen, explain what’s happening, and walk you through exactly how we’ll fix it.
And because we’ve invested in technology like our in-house CT scanner and digital x-rays, we can often diagnose the problem more accurately and faster than you might expect. Less guesswork means less stress for you.
You Are Not Interrupting Us. This Is Why We Are Here
Sometimes patients hesitate to call because they worry they are being a bother. Please let us stop you right there. Caring for our neighbors in Broomall, Springfield, and throughout Delaware County during their times of need is exactly why we chose this profession.
Whether you have been seeing us for years or you have never walked through our doors, if you are in pain or you have injured your mouth, you matter to us. Call our office right away. We will figure it out together.