Dental emergency? Here's exactly what to do.

What to do when a tooth is knocked out

A knocked-out (avulsed) permanent tooth is one of the few true minute-by-minute dental emergencies. Teeth re-implanted within 30–60 minutes have the best chance of surviving — so move quickly, but don't panic. Here's exactly what to do.

Step 1: Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown

The crown is the white part you normally see when you smile. Never touch the root. The root is covered in delicate living fibers (the periodontal ligament) that the tooth needs to reattach — handling or scrubbing them can destroy the tooth's chances.

Step 2: Rinse gently — don't scrub

If the tooth is dirty, rinse it for a few seconds under cool water or milk. No soap, no scrubbing, no wrapping it in a tissue (tissues dry the root out).

Step 3: Try to place it back in the socket

If you can, gently push the tooth back into its socket, facing the right way, and have the person bite softly on a piece of clean gauze or cloth to hold it in place. This is the single best storage place for a knocked-out tooth. It's normal for this to feel strange — it shouldn't take force.

Step 4: If it won't go back in, keep it moist

In order of preference, store the tooth in:

1. Cold milk — the best common household option.
2. Saliva — tucked inside the cheek (for adults and older kids only; not for young children who might swallow it).
3. Saline solution — contact-lens saline works in a pinch.

Never store the tooth in plain water — it damages the root cells within minutes.

Step 5: Call us immediately

Call 385-464-6864 on your way in. The faster we can re-implant and splint the tooth, the better the odds we save it. Even if it's been more than an hour, come in anyway — there are still options, and the socket itself needs care. A knocked-out tooth is exactly what our emergency dentist in Riverton treats same-day.

What to do when you're experiencing tooth pain

Tooth pain is your body's check-engine light — it almost never turns off on its own, but there's a lot you can do to stay comfortable until you're in the chair. Here's what the emergency dentists at Open Now Dental recommend.

1. Rinse with warm salt water

Mix half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water and swish gently for 30 seconds. It cleans the area, soothes irritated gums, and can dislodge trapped food — a surprisingly common cause of sudden pain.

2. Floss around the painful tooth

A popcorn hull or seed wedged below the gumline can mimic a serious toothache. Gently floss both sides of the sore tooth before assuming the worst.

3. Use over-the-counter pain relief — the right way

For most adults, alternating ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) per the label directions controls dental pain better than either one alone. Ibuprofen also reduces the inflammation that's usually driving the pain.

Never place an aspirin directly on the tooth or gums — it doesn't work and it chemically burns the tissue.

4. Cold compress for swelling

If your face is swollen, hold a cold pack wrapped in a towel against your cheek for 15–20 minutes at a time. Avoid heat on the outside of your face — it can draw an infection outward.

5. Avoid the triggers

• Skip very hot, cold, sweet, or acidic food and drinks.
• Chew on the other side of your mouth.
• Sleep with your head slightly elevated — lying flat increases blood pressure in the tooth and makes throbbing worse at night.

6. Call a dentist — sooner, not later

Pain relief is a bridge, not a fix. Whatever caused the pain (a cavity, a crack, an infection) is still there and progressing. We hold same-day emergency slots every Friday afternoon and all weekend specifically for this — here's more on our same-day emergency dental care. Call 385-464-6864 and we'll get you in.

Best things to do when tooth pain won't go away

If your toothache has lasted more than a day or two — or it faded and came roaring back — it's telling you something important. Persistent tooth pain almost always means the nerve of the tooth is inflamed or infected, and that doesn't heal on its own. Here's how to handle it the smart way.

Understand what lasting pain usually means

• Throbbing pain that wakes you up at night usually points to an inflamed or dying nerve (pulpitis).
• Pain when biting down suggests a crack, a failing filling, or an abscess at the root tip.
• Lingering sensitivity to hot (more than 30 seconds) is a classic sign of nerve damage.
• Pain that suddenly disappears can actually be bad news — it may mean the nerve has died. The infection is still there and often returns as swelling.

Do this while you wait for your appointment

1. Stay on a consistent pain-relief schedule. Alternating ibuprofen and acetaminophen per label directions works better than chasing the pain after it spikes.
2. Keep the area clean. Brush and floss normally and rinse with warm salt water after meals. A cleaner site means less inflammation.
3. Don't self-treat with leftover antibiotics. The wrong antibiotic at the wrong dose can mask symptoms while the infection spreads — and makes it harder to treat properly.
4. Track your symptoms. Note what triggers the pain, how long it lingers, and whether anything has changed. Those details help us diagnose the cause in minutes.

Get it diagnosed — that's the only real fix

Home care manages symptoms; it can't fix a deep cavity, a cracked root, or an abscess. The actual solutions — a filling, a crown, a root canal, or an extraction — all start with an exam and an X-ray. The good news: modern treatment is fast and comfortable, and getting out of chronic pain usually takes a single visit to start.

Waiting, on the other hand, has a predictable ending. Infections grow, treatment gets more involved, and costs go up. The cheapest, easiest version of treatment is the one you get today — and we treat it same-day at our emergency dentist in Riverton.

What counts as a dental emergency?

Dental problems have a way of showing up at the worst possible time. A tooth starts throbbing on Saturday morning. A crown comes loose during dinner. Your child takes a hit to the mouth at a weekend game. Suddenly, you're trying to figure out one important question: "Can this wait, or do I need to see a dentist now?"

At Open Now Dental, we want to make that decision easier. If something feels painful, swollen, broken, infected, or simply "not right," you don't have to figure it out alone. Call us at 385-464-6864. We can talk through what's happening, help you understand how urgent it may be, and get you the appropriate care as quickly as possible.

So… what actually counts as a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is generally any problem involving significant pain, swelling, infection, bleeding, trauma, or damage to a tooth or dental restoration that needs prompt attention. Some emergencies are obvious. Others are less clear — you may not be doubled over in pain, but a cracked tooth, increasing swelling, or a lost crown can still become a much bigger problem if it's ignored. Here are the most common reasons to contact an emergency dentist.

Severe or persistent tooth pain

A toothache is one of the most common dental emergencies. Mild sensitivity that disappears quickly may not require urgent treatment. But pain that is severe, keeps returning, wakes you up at night, makes it difficult to eat, or continues to worsen deserves attention. Tooth pain can have several causes, including:

• A deep cavity
• A cracked tooth
• An irritated or infected nerve
• An abscess
• Gum infection
• Trauma to the tooth

Pain is your body's way of telling you something needs attention — you don't have to simply "tough it out" until Monday. If your tooth is hurting significantly, give us a call and we can help you determine the next step.

Swelling in your gums, jaw, or face

Swelling is something we take seriously, especially when it develops quickly or is accompanied by significant pain. It may be caused by an infection or abscess around a tooth or in the gums. Contact a dentist promptly if you notice:

• Swelling around a tooth
• A swollen or tender gum
• A lump or bump on the gums
• Jaw or facial swelling
• Pain combined with swelling

A broken or cracked tooth

A cracked tooth can range from a small chip to a significant fracture extending deeper into the tooth. Even when the pain is manageable, a broken tooth may expose sensitive internal structures and become more vulnerable to further damage. Contact a dentist if:

• A large piece of the tooth breaks off
• The tooth hurts when you bite
• The tooth becomes sensitive to hot or cold
• The broken area feels sharp
• The tooth is bleeding, or you can see a visible crack
• The tooth was damaged during an accident

The sooner we evaluate the tooth, the better the chance of preventing the damage from becoming more extensive.

A knocked-out permanent tooth

A knocked-out permanent tooth is a true dental emergency — time matters. If possible, pick the tooth up by the crown (the white portion you normally see) and avoid touching the root. If it's dirty, gently rinse it without scrubbing, then contact a dentist immediately. In some situations a permanent tooth can be successfully placed back into the socket, especially when treatment happens quickly. If this happens during a weekend sporting event, accident, or fall, call us right away — and see our full step-by-step guide for a knocked-out tooth.

A tooth knocked loose or out of position

Sometimes a tooth isn't completely knocked out but has been pushed sideways, backward, forward, or deeper into the socket. This also needs prompt evaluation. Don't repeatedly push or wiggle the tooth — call an emergency dentist and explain what happened. Dental trauma can affect the tooth, surrounding bone, gums, and nerve even when the tooth still appears to be in place.

A dental abscess or suspected infection

An abscess is an infection that can develop around a tooth or within the gums. Possible warning signs include:

• Severe or throbbing tooth pain
• Swelling and tender gums
• A pimple-like bump on the gums
• A bad taste in your mouth or drainage
• Pain when chewing or increased sensitivity
• Fever or feeling unwell

An abscess should not be ignored. Even if the pressure or pain temporarily improves, the underlying source of the infection may still be present. We can evaluate the area and determine what treatment is necessary to address the cause.

A lost crown

Losing a crown may not always feel like an emergency, but it's worth calling about. Without the crown, the underlying tooth can be sensitive, painful, vulnerable to breaking, and difficult to chew on. Save the crown if you still have it and bring it with you — depending on the condition of the crown and tooth, we can determine whether it can be reattached or whether another treatment is needed.

A lost or broken filling

A missing filling can expose a sensitive portion of the tooth. You may notice a hole or rough area, sensitivity to cold, pain when chewing, food repeatedly getting stuck, or a sharp edge. It's tempting to ignore a missing filling if it isn't painful, but the tooth can continue to weaken. Call us and we can help you decide how quickly it should be repaired.

A tooth that breaks while eating

This happens more often than people expect. Sometimes a tooth breaks while chewing something hard; other times it was already weakened by an old filling, decay, or a hidden crack and simply reaches its breaking point. Save any pieces you can find and contact us. Even if the tooth doesn't hurt immediately, it's worth having it evaluated before more of it breaks.

Bleeding that won't stop

A small amount of bleeding after brushing or flossing is different from persistent bleeding following an injury, procedure, or trauma. If your mouth continues bleeding despite firm pressure, contact a dentist or seek urgent medical care depending on the severity. Significant bleeding after facial trauma should be evaluated promptly.

A dental injury during sports

Weekend sporting events are a common source of dental emergencies. A ball, elbow, fall, or collision can result in chipped teeth, broken teeth, loose teeth, knocked-out teeth, cuts to the gums or lips, and jaw injuries. If a tooth has been hit hard enough to move, crack, or become painful, it should be examined — sometimes dental injuries look fairly minor on the surface while causing damage underneath.

Is a chipped tooth an emergency?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. A very small chip with no pain may not require immediate treatment. A larger chip may need faster attention, particularly if:

• The tooth is painful or very sensitive
• A significant portion has broken away
• You can see pink or red tissue inside the tooth
• The tooth has a sharp edge cutting your tongue or cheek

If you're unsure, call us. It's much easier to tell you that something can safely wait than to have you spend the entire weekend wondering.

When can a dental problem wait?

Not every dental issue requires an emergency appointment. Problems that may be able to wait for a regular visit include minor sensitivity, a tiny painless chip, mild gum irritation, a routine cleaning, cosmetic concerns, or a loose orthodontic bracket that isn't causing injury. The difficulty is that symptoms can change. If the pain increases, swelling develops, a tooth breaks further, or you simply become concerned, give us a call and we'll walk you through the situation.

Should I go to the emergency room or an emergency dentist?

For most problems involving an individual tooth — toothaches, cracked teeth, lost crowns, or dental abscesses — a dentist is usually the professional who can diagnose and treat the source of the problem. There are situations, however, when emergency medical care is more appropriate. Seek emergency medical attention if you're experiencing:

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Rapidly spreading facial or neck swelling
• Severe facial trauma
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Loss of consciousness or other signs of a serious head injury

When you're unsure, calling us is still a good place to start — we can help you understand whether your problem sounds primarily dental or whether you should seek emergency medical attention.

What happens when you call Open Now Dental?

You don't need to know the name of the procedure you need, and you don't need to diagnose yourself. Just tell us what's happening. We'll ask a few questions about your symptoms, help you understand what may need prompt attention, and work to get you seen as quickly as possible. Once you arrive, we can examine the area, take any necessary X-rays, identify the source of the problem, and explain your treatment options. Our goal is simple: get you out of uncertainty, get you a clear plan, and help you feel better.