Emergency Dentistry
Recognizing a Dental Emergency: Educational Information
General information about recognizing a dental emergency. Charlotte Harbor Dental is a former practice and cannot provide care — if you have a dental emergency, contact a currently operating dentist or, for severe swelling, fever or difficulty breathing, go to the nearest emergency room.
- How to recognize a true dental emergency
- Warning signs of swelling and infection
- First steps for broken teeth, crowns and dentures
- When to go to an emergency room instead
What counts as a dental emergency
Severe or persistent toothache, facial swelling, a knocked-out or loosened tooth, a fractured tooth with a sharp edge or exposed nerve, a lost filling or crown, uncontrolled bleeding after an extraction, and a broken denture that leaves you unable to eat all warrant immediate attention.
Swelling that spreads toward the eye or throat, or that comes with fever or difficulty breathing or swallowing, is a medical emergency. Go to the nearest emergency room first.
First steps while you seek care
For a knocked-out permanent tooth, handle it by the crown, rinse gently without scrubbing, and place it back in the socket if you can — otherwise store it in milk and seek dental care immediately. Reimplantation success drops sharply after the first hour.
For a chipped tooth, rinse with warm water and use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek. For pain, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories are usually more effective than heat, and never place aspirin directly against the gum.
Frequently asked questions
- Can Charlotte Harbor Dental see me for an emergency?
- No. Charlotte Harbor Dental is a former practice and is not treating patients. Please contact a currently operating dental office.
- When should I go to the emergency room?
- Go to the nearest emergency room for facial swelling that spreads toward the eye or throat, or swelling with fever, difficulty breathing or difficulty swallowing.
Explore related care
A former dental practice
Charlotte Harbor Dental is a former dental practice. It is no longer operating or accepting patients. This website preserves historical information about the practice and general dental education.