Dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time, and when one does, it's easy to panic. Knowing a few basic steps ahead of time can make a real difference — both in how the situation turns out and in how stressful it feels while you're dealing with it.

If a tooth gets knocked out completely, time matters most. Pick it up by the crown (not the root), rinse it gently with water if it's dirty — no scrubbing — and try to place it back in the socket if you can. If that's not possible, keep it moist in a small container of milk or saliva and get to us as quickly as you can. The first 30 to 60 minutes give you the best chance of saving the tooth.

For a chipped or cracked tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the area to reduce swelling. Save any broken pieces if you can find them. It's not usually as urgent as a knocked-out tooth, but it's still worth being seen within a day or two, especially if there's any pain or sensitivity.

Severe, unexplained tooth pain — especially if it's throbbing, comes with swelling, or won't ease up with over-the-counter pain relief — can point to an infection or abscess, which shouldn't wait. Call us right away; this is exactly the kind of situation same-day appointments exist for.

Whatever the emergency, the most important thing is not to wait it out at home hoping it resolves on its own. Call us first — we can often tell you what to do in the moment and get you in the same day if needed.