Dental Emergency Playbook: What to Do Before You Reach Our Office

Dental emergencies rarely happen at convenient times. Whether it’s a knocked-out tooth during a weekend basketball game or a sudden toothache that wakes you in the middle of the night, knowing exactly what to do can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth. At Summit Dental Care in Twin Falls, we’re committed to providing prompt emergency dental care, but those first minutes and hours before you reach our office are critical.

This guide will help you handle common dental emergencies with confidence while you make your way to our Twin Falls dental practice.

Quick-Reference Table: When to Call 911 vs. Dentist

Situation	Call 911	Call Emergency Dentist
Knocked-out tooth	No (unless other injuries)	Yes – IMMEDIATELY
Broken/cracked tooth	No	Yes – Same day
Lost filling/crown	No	Yes – Within 24 hours
Abscess with fever/swelling	Yes – if severe swelling affecting breathing or swallowing	Yes – Same day
Severe toothache	No	Yes – Same day
Bleeding after dental work	Yes – if uncontrolled bleeding after 30 min	Yes – Same day
Jaw injury/possible fracture	Yes	Yes – After ER visit
Soft tissue injury with excessive bleeding	Yes – if bleeding doesn’t stop after 15 min	Yes – Same day
Object stuck between teeth	No	Yes – Within 24 hours

Remember: If you experience severe facial trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or signs of shock, always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room first. For all other dental emergencies, call Summit Dental Care right away at (208) 733-9999.

Knocked-Out Tooth: The 30-Minute Rule

When a permanent tooth is knocked out completely, time is absolutely critical. You have approximately 30 minutes for the best chance of saving and successfully reimplanting the tooth.

Steps to Take Immediately:

1. Do find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (the visible part), not the root.
2. Don’t touch the root surface or remove any tissue fragments that might be attached.
3. Do gently rinse the tooth with milk or clean water if it’s dirty.
4. Don’t scrub the tooth or use soap, toothpaste, or chemicals.
5. Do try to reinsert the tooth into its socket if possible:
   • Gently push it in with clean fingers
   • Bite down softly on a clean piece of gauze or cloth to hold it in place
6. Don’t force the tooth if it doesn’t easily go back into position.
7. If you can’t reinsert the tooth:
   • Do store it in one of these solutions (in order of preference):
     • Tooth preservation product (like Save-a-Tooth®)
     • Cold milk
     • Saliva (hold it inside your cheek if you’re sure you won’t swallow it)
     • Saline solution
   • Don’t store the tooth in regular tap water for more than a few minutes.
8. Do call our office immediately and come in right away.

Remember: The chances of saving the tooth decrease dramatically after 30 minutes outside the mouth. This is a true dental emergency that requires immediate professional attention.

Broken or Cracked Tooth

Teeth can break or crack due to injury, biting on something hard, or even due to weakening from decay. The severity can range from a minor chip to a major fracture that exposes the tooth’s pulp.

What to Do:

1. Do collect any broken pieces of the tooth and bring them with you.
2. Do rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean the area.
3. Don’t apply aspirin or other painkillers directly to the gum or tooth tissue.
4. Do apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling.
5. If the broken area has a sharp edge:
   • Do cover it with dental wax (available at pharmacies) or sugar-free gum to protect your tongue and cheek.
   • Don’t use cotton balls, which can leave fibers that may cause infection.
6. Do take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed if you’re experiencing pain.
7. Don’t delay seeking treatment, even if there’s no pain. A cracked tooth can worsen quickly.

For a minor chip without pain, you can wait to be seen during regular office hours, but any significant fracture or any break with pain should be treated as soon as possible.

Lost Filling or Crown

Losing a filling or crown leaves the affected tooth vulnerable to further damage and sensitivity. While not usually as urgent as a knocked-out tooth, you should still seek treatment promptly.

For a Lost Filling:

1. Do rinse the cavity gently with warm water to ensure it’s clean.
2. Do use over-the-counter temporary filling material (available at most pharmacies) to cover the area.
3. Don’t use household glue, which can be toxic and damage the tooth.
4. Do avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until you can see us.
5. Do take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed for discomfort.

For a Lost Crown:

1. Do locate the crown and keep it safe to bring to your appointment.
2. Do clean the inside of the crown gently with a toothbrush.
3. If you want to try reinserting the crown temporarily:
   • Do use dental cement, denture adhesive, or temporary toothpaste (available at pharmacies).
   • Don’t use super glue or other household adhesives.
4. If you can’t reattach the crown:
   • Do cover the exposed tooth with dental cement to reduce sensitivity.
   • Don’t leave the tooth completely exposed if it’s sensitive.
5. Do call our office to schedule an appointment within 1-2 days.

Even if you successfully reattach the crown temporarily, you still need to see us for proper resementation to prevent decay under the crown.

Sudden Toothache or Abscess

A sudden, severe toothache or dental abscess (infection) requires prompt attention. An abscess is a serious infection that won’t resolve without professional treatment.

Signs of an Abscess:

• Severe, persistent, throbbing pain
• Swelling in the gum, face, or jaw
• Pimple-like bump on the gum
• Sensitivity to hot and cold
• Bad taste or odor in the mouth
• Fever

What to Do:

1. Do rinse your mouth with warm salt water (½ teaspoon salt in 8 oz water) several times a day to draw out infection and reduce pain.
2. Don’t place aspirin directly on the gum or tooth, which can cause chemical burns.
3. Do take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed for pain.
4. Do apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek (10 minutes on, 10 minutes off).
5. Don’t use heating pads, which can spread the infection.
6. Do call our office immediately for an emergency appointment.
7. Do go to the emergency room if you develop fever above 101°F, severe swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or if the infection spreads to your eye.

Remember: Dental abscesses will not heal without professional treatment and can lead to serious complications if left untreated. This is not something to “wait and see” about.

Bleeding After Dental Work

Some bleeding is normal after certain dental procedures, such as extractions, but excessive or prolonged bleeding requires attention.

How to Control Bleeding:

1. Do bite firmly on a clean gauze pad for 30 minutes without changing it or checking it.
2. Don’t rinse your mouth, use a straw, spit, or smoke, as these actions can dislodge the blood clot.
3. Do repeat with fresh gauze if bleeding continues after 30 minutes.
4. Do bite on a moistened tea bag (containing black tea) for 30 minutes if gauze isn’t working. The tannic acid in the tea helps blood clots form.
5. Don’t lie flat; keep your head elevated with pillows.
6. Do apply an ice pack to the outside of your face near the bleeding area.
7. Do call our office if bleeding doesn’t significantly decrease after these measures.
8. Do seek emergency medical care if bleeding is profuse and uncontrollable.

If you experience unusual bleeding days after a procedure, contact our office immediately, as this may indicate an infection or other complication.

Cost & Insurance FAQs for Emergencies

Many patients worry about the cost of emergency dental care. Here are answers to some common questions:

Does dental insurance cover emergencies?

Most dental insurance plans provide coverage for emergency procedures, though coverage levels vary. Typically, emergency exams and X-rays are covered at a high percentage, while treatments like root canals or extractions may have different coverage levels.

What if I don’t have dental insurance?

At Summit Dental Care, we believe everyone deserves access to emergency dental care. We offer several options:

• Financing plans for unexpected dental expenses
• Credit card payments
• CareCredit healthcare financing

Will I know the cost before treatment?

We understand cost concerns, especially in emergencies. Our team will provide estimates before performing any procedures beyond the initial exam and X-rays.

For detailed information about payment options, please visit our finance and insurance page.

Save Our Number — We’re Here to Help

Dental emergencies can be stressful and frightening, but remember that Summit Dental Care is here to help. We offer same-day emergency appointments for Twin Falls residents experiencing dental emergencies.

Keep our number in your phone contacts for quick access in an emergency:
(208) 733-9999

When you call with an emergency, our team will:

1. Assess the severity of your situation
2. Provide immediate advice for managing the emergency
3. Schedule you for the earliest possible appointment
4. Help you understand what to expect during your visit

We’re committed to providing compassionate emergency dental care when you need it most. For more information about all the services we offer, see all our services.

This guide is not a substitute for professional dental care. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call our office right away at (208) 733-9999 or head to the nearest emergency room if you’re experiencing severe bleeding, breathing difficulties, or other life-threatening symptoms.