What it is
A dental emergency is generally a problem with a tooth, gum or jaw that can't comfortably wait, such as severe pain, a tooth knocked out or broken, or a swollen area in the mouth. An emergency dentist is a licensed dentist (DDS or DMD) who sees urgent problems, often with same-day or after-hours availability, depending on the practice. Availability varies, so it helps to call ahead.
Common urgent concerns include a toothache, a chipped tooth, a knocked-out tooth and a tooth abscess, which is a pocket of infection around a tooth or in the gum. Pain, swelling or a bad taste can have many different causes, and only an exam by a licensed dentist can sort out which one it is. Nobody should feel embarrassed about calling, whatever the state of their teeth.
Dental anxiety is very common and very human. It can come from fear of pain, past experiences, the sounds and smells of an office, or feeling out of control in the chair. Sedation dentistry, sometimes searched for as sleep dentistry, refers to the use of medicine to help patients relax or feel more at ease during dental care. It is provided only by dentists permitted by their state dental board, and the type used varies by practice and by person.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Urgent dental problems have traditionally been handled by calling a dentist's office, where staff ask a few questions and decide how soon to bring someone in. Some practices reserve time for emergencies, and some patients are referred to dental specialists such as endodontists (who focus on the inside of the tooth) or oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Hospital emergency rooms are generally used for severe swelling, injuries or other medical emergencies.
For things like a chipped tooth or a toothache, the usual first step has been an exam, often with X-rays, so the dentist can see what is happening above and below the gumline. From there, dentists have traditionally talked through the options, which may range from simple repairs to more involved care, depending on the case. A written treatment plan and estimate lets patients review choices at their own pace.
Anxious patients have long been helped by simple comfort measures, such as talking through each step, agreeing on a hand signal to pause, and scheduling a gentler first visit. Sedation options have also been part of dentistry for a long time, ranging from lighter approaches to deeper levels. Which option is appropriate, if any, is decided by the dentist after reviewing a patient's health history.
How the right dentist may help
The right dentist may help by listening first. A visit for an urgent problem generally starts with questions about your symptoms and health history, followed by an exam and possibly X-rays. A good dentist explains what they see in plain language, never shames you, and talks about the options before anything is done.
If you're nervous, say so when you book. Many practices are happy to adjust how they work with you, and some offer sedation dentistry. You might ask: What kinds of sedation do you offer, and are you permitted by the state dental board to provide them? What will I feel and remember? What health information do you need from me? Who will monitor me, and what is the plan for getting home safely?
It can also help to ask about the practical side. Questions worth asking include: Do you see emergencies the same day? Can I get a written treatment plan and estimate before we begin? What are the options, and what happens if I wait? Costs vary by practice, location and case, so asking early helps you feel prepared. If it makes sense, a dentist may refer you to a specialist.
The whole-person view
Body, mind and stress affect each other. Tension can show up as clenched jaws or sore muscles, and worry about a dental visit can make the body feel on edge, which can make everything seem more intense. Looking after the whole person, including sleep, stress and how safe you feel in the chair, can make dental care feel more manageable.
Some people find that body-based support, such as the approaches offered through Somatic Experiences, helps them notice and ease tension. Others find that talking with a licensed counselor through Therapists.plus helps them work through fear or past dental experiences. These are possibilities to explore alongside, not instead of, care from a licensed dentist.
Somatic Experiences: nervous system regulation →Therapists.plus: anxiety panic and ocd →
Keep in mind
- Facial or neck swelling with fever, trouble breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or a serious face or jaw injury is a medical emergency: call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
- A knocked-out adult tooth needs a dentist right away, so call a dentist immediately and say it's an emergency.
- Pain, swelling, or a suspected infection or abscess should be looked at by a licensed dentist rather than waited out. Only a dentist can tell what is going on and what care is appropriate.
- If dental fear or stress ever feels overwhelming or leads to thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) for support.
Guides in this topic
Dentist types
Emergency dentistry
same-day emergency visits · toothache relief · broken and knocked-out teeth · abscess care
Sedation dentistry
nitrous oxide (laughing gas) · oral sedation · IV sedation · anxiety-friendly care
Root canals (endodontics)
root canal treatment · root canal retreatment · endodontic surgery (apicoectomy)
Extractions & wisdom teeth (oral surgery)
simple and surgical extractions · wisdom teeth removal · bone grafts · oral surgery under sedation
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I need an emergency dentist?
Call a licensed dentist's office as soon as you can, explain your symptoms, and ask whether they can see you the same day. If you have facial or neck swelling with fever, trouble breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or a serious face or jaw injury, call 911 or go to the ER instead. Costs vary by practice, location and case, so ask for a written treatment plan and estimate.
What should I do about a toothache?
The safest step is to have a licensed dentist examine it, because a toothache can have many different causes. Call the office, describe your symptoms, and ask how soon they can see you. If you also have facial swelling with fever or trouble breathing or swallowing, treat it as an emergency and call 911 or go to the ER.
What do I do about a chipped tooth?
Contact a dentist to have it examined, even if it doesn't hurt. A dentist can see how far the chip goes and talk with you about the options, which vary by case. If the chip came from a serious face or jaw injury, or there is uncontrolled bleeding, seek emergency care right away.
Knocked-out tooth: what to do?
A knocked-out adult tooth needs a dentist right away, so call a dentist immediately and tell them it's an emergency. Dental offices often give specific guidance over the phone about handling the tooth and getting in quickly. If there is a serious face or jaw injury, uncontrolled bleeding or trouble breathing, call 911 or go to the ER.
What is a tooth abscess and is it an emergency?
A tooth abscess is a pocket of infection near a tooth or in the gum, and it should be evaluated by a licensed dentist promptly. It becomes a medical emergency if there is facial or neck swelling with fever, or trouble breathing or swallowing. In that case, call 911 or go to the ER.
Can sedation dentistry help with dental anxiety?
Sedation dentistry may help some nervous patients feel more relaxed during care, but whether it's appropriate is decided by a dentist after reviewing your health history. It is provided only by dentists permitted by their state dental board. Ask what types they offer, what you'll feel, and how you'll be monitored. Sleep dentistry is another name people use when searching for this.
Educational resource. Tuung shares general information and connects people with independent dentists. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk with a licensed professional about your health.