How to Deal With a Dental Emergency

For a knocked-out permanent tooth, a significant dental injury, severe tooth pain or painful swelling, contact a dentist promptly. Difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly spreading facial or neck swelling, or serious uncontrolled bleeding requires emergency medical care.

Should I call a dentist or go to the emergency department?

Call 911 or go to an emergency department for breathing or swallowing difficulty, rapidly spreading swelling or a serious injury. For a painful tooth or broken restoration without these danger signs, contact a dentist for guidance. Our emergency dental care page explains the office contact route; availability must be confirmed.

What should I do with a knocked-out tooth?

For a permanent tooth, hold the crown—the part normally visible in the mouth—rather than the root. If dirty, rinse it gently without scrubbing. If it can safely be placed back in the socket, do so without forcing it. Otherwise keep it moist in milk or an appropriate tooth-preservation solution and seek a dentist immediately. Do not delay while waiting for a preferred appointment.

Do not put a knocked-out baby tooth back into its socket. A child still needs prompt dental evaluation after the injury.

What if a tooth cracks or a crown comes out?

Keep any recovered crown or fragment and contact the dentist. Do not use household glue. Avoid chewing on the affected tooth until you receive instructions. Read why a damaged tooth may need a crown for background after the urgent problem is assessed.

What can I do for a toothache while arranging care?

Gently clean around the tooth and remove trapped food with floss if you can do so comfortably. Do not place aspirin against the tooth or gums. Read our tooth-pain guide to help describe the symptoms; it does not replace an examination.

How do I contact the Jacksonville office?

Contact C.J. Henley, DMD at 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207, near San Marco. Explain the injury or symptoms, when they began and whether there is swelling. If you cannot reach a dentist and the problem is urgent, seek another available dental provider; do not wait through worsening symptoms.

Sources: ADA dental emergency guidance, AAE knocked-out tooth guidance and American Academy of Pediatrics tooth injury guidance.

Updated October 1, 2026.