Dental pain or an injury is stressful enough without having to decide what to do when the office is closed. At Precision Dentistry of Olympia, we want you to know which problems can wait until the next business day and which need immediate care.
Start by looking at what happened and how quickly your symptoms are changing. If you are not sure what counts as an emergency, our guide to recognizing dental emergencies can help. If you are in significant pain or your symptoms are getting worse, start with the steps below.
Key Takeaways
- Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for uncontrolled bleeding, swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, or a serious injury to the face or jaw.
- A knocked-out permanent tooth needs immediate dental care. Keep it moist and do not wait for an after-hours callback.
- Use firm pressure for bleeding and a cold compress on the outside of the face for swelling.
- Use over-the-counter pain medication only if it is safe for you, and never place aspirin directly on a tooth or the gums.
Step 1: Decide Whether You Need Immediate Medical Care
Some dental injuries are medical emergencies first. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Bleeding that will not stop
- Swelling that makes it difficult to breathe or swallow
- A serious injury to the face or jaw
- Loss of consciousness or other signs of a head injury
A severe toothache, cracked tooth, lost filling, or loose crown may still need prompt attention, but these problems do not always require a trip to the emergency room. Our emergency dental care in Olympia is focused on identifying the problem, relieving discomfort, and protecting the tooth whenever possible.
Step 2: Control Bleeding and Swelling
For bleeding, place clean gauze or a folded cloth over the area and press firmly for 15 to 20 minutes. Try not to lift it repeatedly to check, since that can disturb the clot and restart the bleeding.
For swelling, hold a cold compress against the outside of your cheek for short intervals. Do not place ice directly on your skin. If the swelling is getting worse or you notice any of the warning signs in Step 1, seek emergency medical care.
Step 3: Manage Pain Safely
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen may help take the edge off until you can be seen, as long as the medication is normally safe for you. Follow the directions on the label, and check with a medical professional if you have a health condition, take other medications, or are unsure which option is appropriate.
Do not place aspirin directly on the sore tooth or gum. It can irritate or burn the tissue, and it will not treat the cause of the pain.
Step 4: Act Quickly if a Permanent Tooth Is Knocked Out
A knocked-out permanent tooth is time-sensitive. Seek immediate dental care and handle the tooth as little as possible.
Pick it up by the crown, which is the white part you normally see. Do not touch the root. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with water. Do not scrub it, remove attached tissue, or wrap it in a tissue.
If you can, gently place the tooth back in its socket without forcing it and bite down on clean gauze to hold it in place. If that is not possible, keep the tooth moist in milk or an ADA-approved tooth preservation product while you travel to an emergency dentist.
Do not reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth. Reinserting it can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath. A child with a knocked-out tooth should still be evaluated promptly.
Step 5: Call Our Office
Call us at (360) 995-0025 for a dental emergency. During office hours, we will talk through what is happening and do our best to get you in the same day.
If we are closed, leave a message on the same number. Dr. Xu reviews these messages and usually responds within a day. In your message, include:
- Your name and the best number to reach you
- What happened and when it happened
- Where the pain or injury is located
- Whether you have bleeding, swelling, fever, or symptoms that are getting worse
Our after-hours line is not a 24-hour emergency service. If you need immediate care, follow the guidance in Steps 1 and 4 rather than waiting for a callback.
Even if the Pain Improves, Still Call
A problem is not necessarily resolved just because the pain settles down. A damaged or infected tooth may still need treatment, and waiting can make the next step more complicated.
Dr. Xu’s conservative approach focuses on understanding what is happening and preserving as much of your natural tooth as possible. Calling sooner gives us a better chance to address the problem before more damage occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an emergency room treat a dental problem?
An emergency room can control serious bleeding, address facial trauma, and help when swelling threatens your breathing or swallowing. It usually cannot provide the final treatment for a damaged or infected tooth, so you may still need to see us afterward.
What should I do if a tooth breaks after hours?
Rinse your mouth gently, save any pieces you can find, and use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek if there is swelling. Avoid chewing on the tooth and contact our office as soon as you can.
Unsure Whether It Can Wait?
If you are still unsure what to do, call us. We will talk through what happened and help you decide on the next step.
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