Dental Emergencies: What To Do When Things Go Wrong

It’s 2 AM, and you’re jolted awake by tooth pain that feels like someone’s drilling into your jaw. Or maybe you’re at your kid’s hockey game when a puck flies the wrong way and connects with someone’s mouth. Dental emergencies never happen at convenient times—and when they do, panic sets in fast.

Here’s the thing: knowing what counts as a real emergency and what you can do in those first crucial moments can literally save your teeth. We’re talking about the difference between a successful repair and permanent damage.

So let’s break this down. Here’s what you need to know to handle these scary moments without losing your cool.

Is This Really an Emergency?

Not all dental problems require immediate attention. A small chip or mild tooth sensitivity can often wait until your next scheduled appointment.

However, if you’re experiencing intense pain, ongoing bleeding, swelling, or risk of tooth loss, you need emergency dental care right away. Ignoring these signs can worsen the problem and further complicate the treatment plan.  

Tooth Pain That Won’t Quit

• What’s happening: Usually means you’ve got an untreated cavity, exposed nerve, or infection brewing. Often linked to untreated cavities, exposed nerves, or infections.
• Why you can’t ignore it: Pain is your body’s alarm system. If over-the-counter painkillers aren’t touching it, something serious is going on underneath.
• What to do right away: Rinse your mouth with warm water, stay away from anything too hot or cold, and call your dentist. Even if it’s after hours, most practices have an emergency line.

Your Gums Are Swollen and Angry

• What’s happening: It could be a gum disease, an abscess forming, or just something stuck where it shouldn’t be.
• Why you can’t ignore it: Gum infections spread fast. We’re talking potential tooth loss or even infections that affect your whole body.
  
• What to do right away: Don’t wait for it to “get better on its own.” It won’t. Schedule an emergency visit today.

A Tooth Got Knocked Out

• What’s happening: Sports injury, nasty fall, car accident—teeth can get knocked out in all kinds of ways.
• Why you cannot ignore it: Here’s the urgent part—you’ve got about 30 to 60 minutes before your chances of saving that tooth plummet.
• What to do right away: Pick up the tooth by the crown (the white part), not the root. Rinse it gently if it’s dirty. If you can, try to put it back in the socket—yes, really. If that’s too painful or scary, drop it in a glass of milk. Then get to a dentist immediately. Every minute counts.

You’ve Got an Abscess (and Trust Us, You’ll Know)

• What’s happening: This is a serious infection, usually from an untreated cavity, gum disease, or cracked tooth.
• Why you cannot ignore it: Abscesses cause brutal pain, facial swelling, fever, and, in rare but serious cases, can spread to other parts of your body. This is genuinely dangerous.
  
• What to do right away: Rinse with warm salt water for temporary relief, but get yourself to an emergency dentist immediately. This isn’t a “wait and see” situation.
  

Your Jaw Hurts Like Crazy

• What’s happening: It could be TMJ disorders, teeth grinding, or an injury to the jaw.
• Why you shouldn’t ignore it: TMJ pain can make eating and talking miserable, and it tends to get worse if you don’t address it.
  
• What to do right away: Put an ice pack on the outside of your face, stick to soft foods, and get an appointment scheduled.
  

You Lost a Filling or Crown

• What’s happening: There is natural wear, you chew sticky foods, or there is a dental trauma.
• Why you can’t ignore it: That exposed tooth is vulnerable. Decay can set in fast, and it’s probably extremely sensitive.
• What to do right away: Get a temporary dental cement from a drugstore or visit your closest dentist as soon as possible. Do not let it slide, as it can make things worse. 
  

Orthodontic Disaster

• What’s happening: Wire is poking out, loose implants, and brackets or aligners are giving.
• Why you can’t ignore it: Those sharp edges can pierce your gums or tongue. This can also delay your treatment process.
  
• What to do right away: Orthodontic wax is your friend. Cover any sharp bits and call your dentist as soon as possible.
  

 

Wisdom teeth acting up

• What’s happening: Your back molars are trying to come up sideways or just being problematic.
• Why you can’t ignore it: Impacted wisdom teeth can cause intense pain, swelling, and infection if not treated. They can also damage other teeth. 
  
• What to do right away: Popping a painkiller may help temporarily, but you need to see your dentist for a checkup and get it treated.
  

 

Bottom Line

If you’re googling “Is this a dental emergency?” At 3 AM, the answer is probably yes. When in doubt, call your dentist. They would rather hear from you and tell you it can wait than have you suffer or cause permanent damage.

What to Do When Emergency Strikes

Okay, so something has gone wrong, or you probably got punched in the face (ouch and sorry). Here is your game plan:

Take a Breath

Yes, and easier said than done when you have throbbing tooth pain. But panicking won’t help. You have got this, so just focus on the next step.

Warm Water Rinse

Gently swish warm water around your mouth. This washes away blood, bacteria, and debris. Don’t use hot water (ouch) or alcohol-based mouthwash (double ouch on sensitive tissue).

Cold Compress Time

Sometimes grabbing a cold compress bag or a bag of frozen peas can help numb the area. Make sure to wrap it in a towel before applying it gently to your cheeks. Do this for 10 to 15 minutes, then stop.  Do not put ice directly on your skin, as it can hurt your skin tissues.

Take Something for Pain

Ibuprofen is your best bet, as it helps with inflammation and relieves the pain. Make sure to follow the dosage on the packaging. Whatever you do, do not put aspirin directly on your tooth or gums. That old-school trick will burn your tissues and make things even more complicated.

Call your Dentist Immediately

This is the most important step. Call your nearest emergency dentist as soon as possible and explain what’s happening. Many practices offer same-day emergency slots. The difference between calling now and later could literally be the difference between losing or saving your tooth.

How to Avoid Emergencies in the First Place

You cannot prevent every accident – life happens. But you can seriously cut your risk by taking precautions:

• Brush and floss like you mean it. Boring advice, but decay causes most emergencies.
• Actually go to your regular dental checkups. Catching small problems early means you won’t be dealing with bigger emergencies later.
• Wear a mouthguard for sports. Yes, even “casual” games. Teeth don’t care if it was just a pickup game.
• Stop chewing weird things. Ice, pen caps, fingernails – your teeth aren’t tools.
• Follow post-treatment instructions. Your dentist gives you that aftercare list for a reason.

 

Your Burning Questions, Answered

What Actually Counts as a Dental Emergency?

Severe pain that won’t stop, bleeding you can’t control, serious swelling, knocked-out teeth, or abscesses. Basically, if you’re in serious pain or could lose a tooth, it’s an emergency.

Can I just go to the ER?

You can, and they’ll help with pain management, but hospital ERs typically can’t do actual dental treatment. You’ll likely end up needing to see a dentist anyway. Save yourself the double trip and call an emergency dentist first.

My toothache went away. I’m good, right?

You’ve got roughly 30-60 minutes for the best shot at saving it. Keep the tooth moist in milk or put it back in the socket if you can. Then move fast.

How fast do I need to see a dentist for a knocked-out tooth?

You should see a dentist within 30–60 minutes for the best chance of saving your tooth. Keep the tooth moist in milk or place it back in the socket until you reach the dentist.

Can I treat an abscess at home?

Absolutely not. Home remedies might ease the pain temporarily, but only a dentist can actually drain the infection and stop it from spreading. Untreated abscesses can become genuinely dangerous. Don’t mess around with this one.

Greenwoods Dental: We’re Here When Things Go Wrong

Look, we know dental emergencies are stressful. You’re in pain, maybe a little embarrassed, and definitely worried about what this is going to cost. We get it—we’ve seen it all, and we promise we’re not judging. At Greenwoods Dental, we understand that dental emergencies don’t follow a schedule. That’s why we provide same-day appointments, extended hours, and compassionate care for all urgent dental concerns. 

Our experienced team uses advanced technology to deliver fast, effective treatment—whether it’s relieving pain, treating infections, or saving injured teeth.

Dental emergencies don’t follow a schedule, and neither do we. Contact Greenwoods Dental for reliable emergency dentistry in Winnipeg, and let’s get you feeling like yourself again.