Dental Emergencies

A cracked tooth at dinner. A child who takes a fall at the playground. A throbbing toothache that wakes you at 2 a.m. Dental emergencies rarely happen at convenient times — and in those first few minutes, what you do (and don’t do) can be the difference between saving a tooth and losing it.

This guide walks you through the most common dental emergencies we see at Burnaby South Dental, what to do at home before your appointment, and how to tell the difference between “call first thing Monday” and “head to the clinic today.”

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

Not every dental problem is an emergency, but any of the following usually is:

A knocked-out (avulsed) permanent tooth
A tooth that has been pushed out of position or is loose
A cracked, fractured, or broken tooth causing pain
Severe, persistent toothache
An abscess or swelling in the gums, face, or jaw
Uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth after an injury
A lost filling or crown causing sharp pain or exposed nerve

If you’re ever unsure, call us. A two-minute phone conversation can tell you whether you need to be seen today or whether it can wait a day or two.

Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsed Tooth)

This is the most time-sensitive dental emergency there is. A permanent tooth that has been completely knocked out has the best chance of being saved if it is reimplanted within 30 to 60 minutes.

What to do:

Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), not the root.
If it is dirty, rinse it gently with milk or saline for no more than 10 seconds. Do not scrub it, do not use soap, and do not dry it.
If possible, place the tooth back into its socket and bite down gently on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
If you cannot reinsert it, store the tooth in cold milk, saline, or a tooth preservation kit. Water is a last resort — it damages the root cells.
Call us immediately and come in as fast as you safely can.

For baby teeth, do not try to reinsert a knocked-out tooth. It can damage the developing adult tooth underneath. Call us for next steps.

Cracked, Chipped, or Broken Tooth

A small chip with no pain can usually wait a few days. A larger fracture, sharp edges cutting your tongue, or any pain means you should be seen the same day.

At home:

Rinse your mouth with warm water.
If there is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze.
Use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling.
If you find the broken piece, save it in milk and bring it with you.
Avoid chewing on that side until you’ve been seen.

Depending on the severity, treatment can range from a simple bonding or filling to a crown, and in deeper fractures, root canal therapy.

Severe Toothache

A toothache that is intense, throbbing, keeps you awake, or is accompanied by swelling is a signal that something needs professional attention — often a deep cavity, a cracked tooth, or an infected nerve.

Before your appointment:

Rinse with warm salt water (about a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water).
Gently floss around the tooth to remove any trapped food.
Take over-the-counter pain relief as directed on the label.
Use a cold compress on the outside of your face for swelling.

Do not place aspirin directly on the gum — it can burn the tissue. And do not try to wait out a toothache that is worsening. Infections in the mouth can spread quickly.

Abscess or Facial Swelling

A dental abscess is a pocket of infection, usually showing up as a painful pimple-like bump on the gum, facial swelling, fever, or a bad taste in the mouth. This is not something to wait out. Untreated dental infections can spread to other parts of the head and neck and become serious.

If you have facial swelling that is spreading, difficulty swallowing, or trouble breathing, go to your nearest emergency room right away — those are signs the infection may be spreading beyond the mouth. For everything else, call us immediately.

Lost Filling or Crown

A lost filling or crown is usually urgent but not life-threatening. The exposed tooth underneath can be sensitive and prone to further damage.

For a lost crown, try slipping it back over the tooth with a dab of temporary dental cement (available at most pharmacies) or clean petroleum jelly to hold it in place until your appointment.
Avoid chewing on that side.
Do not use super glue or household adhesives.
Book an appointment within a few days to have it properly re-cemented or replaced.

Soft-Tissue Injuries: Lips, Tongue, and Cheeks

Cuts and bites to the inside of the mouth can bleed dramatically because of how vascular the tissue is. Most minor injuries stop bleeding on their own.

Rinse gently with salt water.
Apply pressure with clean gauze or a tea bag for 15 to 20 minutes.
Use a cold compress to reduce swelling.
If bleeding doesn’t stop after 15 to 20 minutes of steady pressure, or the cut is deep, seek urgent care.

What You Can Do Right Now to Prepare

Most dental emergencies we treat could either be prevented or made much easier to manage with a little preparation:

Keep our phone number saved in your phone under “Dentist.”
Wear a mouthguard for contact sports and any activity with a real risk of facial impact — including cycling and skateboarding.
Avoid using your teeth to open packages, bite fishing line, or crack ice.
Keep up with your regular checkups. Small cavities caught early don’t become late-night emergencies.
Keep a small dental first-aid kit at home: gauze, saline, a small container with a lid, temporary dental cement, and a cold pack.

When in Doubt, Call Us

We’d rather have you call and hear “that can wait until Thursday” than gamble on a tooth that could have been saved. If you’re in Burnaby, Highgate, Metrotown, or the surrounding area and something doesn’t feel right in your mouth, reach out. We keep room in our schedule for urgent visits, and if you’re not yet a patient, we’re happy to help.

Your smile is worth protecting — especially in the moments you didn’t see coming.

Burnaby South Dental is a family and general dental practice serving the Highgate and South Burnaby community. This article is general information and is not a substitute for professional dental advice. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.