Dental emergencies can be scary. Whether it happens to you or a loved one, you still experience a great deal of stress and worry. But knowing what to do in a dental emergency will help you be prepared so you can stay calm and act quickly. 

In case of a dental emergency, call 254-778-4400 to reach our Temple office or 254-776-1500 to reach our Waco office. During regular office hours we will make arrangements to see you as soon as possible. If you reach us after hours, please follow the instructions on our voicemail to leave a message and someone will contact you shortly. For a life threatening emergency, please call 911 or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department. 

What is a Dental Emergency? 

A dental emergency is any situation that is urgent enough to require immediate treatment. This may include a severe toothache, a cracked or broken tooth, or a knocked out tooth. When it can’t wait, even until the next day, it is an emergency. 

What To Do For Dental Emergencies 

Here’s how to handle specific dental emergencies: 

• Toothache. In case of a severe toothache, start by taking an over the counter pain reliever and contact us. We will make plans to see you as soon as possible to provide treatment and relieve your discomfort. 
• Cracked tooth. In case of a cracked tooth, contact us as soon as possible. A cracked tooth is highly susceptible to infection and the crack is likely to worsen the longer it goes without treatment. If you are experiencing pain, take an over the counter pain reliever until you can be treated. 
• Fractured tooth. If a tooth is broken, contact us right away. Save the broken piece(s) in milk and bring them with you to your appointment. 
• Tooth knocked loose. If a tooth is knocked loose but remains in the socket, leave it in place and contact us. The tooth may need to be secured with a splint until the support structures can heal around it. 
• Knocked out tooth. In case of a knocked out tooth, pick it up carefully by the crown and avoid touching the roots. Rinse it off carefully (in a cup or plug the drain) and attempt to put it back in the socket. If you can get it back in place, bite down on some gauze and contact us. If not, place it in a cup of milk and contact us. Either way, you should seek immediate treatment. The sooner the tooth is placed back in the socket, the higher the chance that it can be saved. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Emergencies

Can you put a baby tooth back in the socket? 

If a baby tooth is knocked out do not attempt to put it back in the socket. Doing so could damage the permanent tooth underneath it. In most cases a baby tooth can remain out of the mouth and a space maintainer can be placed to hold the space open for the permanent tooth. 

How long can a tooth be out of the mouth and still be saved? 

Typically the longest a tooth can be out of your mouth and still have a chance of being saved is 30 minutes. When stored in milk or using a tooth preservation kit, the tooth may still be salvageable for up to an hour. 

Why Call an Endodontist for a Dental Emergency? 

A tooth that is infected or has experienced trauma is likely to need a root canal. Endodontists specialize in root canal therapy and other endodontic procedures that are designed to save teeth and restore their health. Heart of Texas Endodontics provides emergency treatment during and after hours.

In case of a dental emergency, call 254-778-4400 to reach our Temple office or 254-776-1500 to reach our Waco office. For all non-emergencies, contact us to learn more and schedule an appointment.