Emergency Dental Information
Toothaches in Augusta ME, Madison ME, and Winslow ME don’t follow office hours. Accidents don’t care about your schedule. Whether it’s a chipped tooth on a Saturday or a severe toothache in the middle of the night, dental emergencies can happen at any time, and knowing what to do in the moment can make all the difference.
At Gentle Family Dentistry, we’re here when you need us most. This guide is designed to give you clear, practical steps to handle urgent dental issues until you can get professional care.
What Qualifies As A Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is a situation in which a person is faced with uncontrollable dental bleeding, facial trauma, severe pain, an abscess, lost filling, gum-related injuries, etc. However, some various items and problems can be classified under the dental emergency category. If you are experiencing dental symptoms that are negatively affecting you and your life, you need to consider seeking dental help immediately. Let’s clear up some confusion. Not every dental issue is an emergency, but here are the ones that should have you calling us right away:
- Severe toothache that doesn’t go away
- Knocked-out tooth
- Cracked, broken, or chipped tooth with pain or exposed nerves
- Lost filling or crown causing sensitivity or pain
- Bleeding in the mouth that won’t stop
- Infection, swelling, or pus around the gums or jaw
- Injury to your mouth or jaw from trauma
If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, give us a call anyway. We’d rather talk you through it than have you suffer in silence or risk making the issue worse.
Immediate Steps For Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies can become increasingly more significant over time, especially left untreated! Dental emergencies can cause a lot of pain, severe discomfort, excruciating swelling, and infections that can lead to serious health-related problems down the road. Knowing how to respond in the first few minutes can protect your teeth and ease your discomfort. Here’s what to do:
1. Knocked-Out Tooth
Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root. Rinse it gently with water if it’s dirty, but don’t scrub or remove any tissue. Try to place it back in the socket if possible. If not, store it in milk or saliva and call us immediately. Time is critical—seeing a dentist within an hour gives you the best chance of saving the tooth.2. Severe Toothache
Rinse your mouth with warm water and floss gently to rule out trapped food. If the pain persists, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek and take over-the-counter pain relief. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gums—it can cause burns.3. Cracked or Broken Tooth
Rinse with warm water to clean the area. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Save any broken pieces if you can, and bring them to your appointment.4. Lost Filling or Crown
If a crown falls out, try to slip it back on using dental cement (available at pharmacies) or toothpaste as a temporary fix. Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until we can repair it.5. Abscess or Gum Infection
An abscess can be life-threatening if left untreated. You might notice a pimple-like bump, swelling, fever, or intense pain. Rinse with saltwater and call us right away.
How To Know If You Have a Dental Emergency
Not every single dental situation is classified as a dental emergency, as oral pain is considered fairly common. However, here are our industry expert tips to determine if you are experiencing a dental emergency or if you can wait for your next dental appointment.
- Severe Pain - If you are experiencing severe, excruciating pain in your mouth, you are experiencing a dental emergency. A toothache should not be taken lightly, and if the pain is impacting your day-to-day life you should seek professional help immediately.
- Swollen Jaw - If your jaw swells up for no reason, you need to get immediate treatment. You may have an infection or a problem with your lymph nodes.
- Bleeding - If you are experiencing uncontrollable bleeding in your mouth that will not stop no matter what you do, you may be experiencing an emergency.
- Infection - If you are experiencing an infection in your mouth or teeth, seek dental care immediately! Oral infections such as abscesses are potentially life-threatening and should never wait! A dental abscess may cause you to have a fever, cold/heat sensitivity, painful toothache, lymph node swelling, and pimple-like bumps on your gums. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms seek medical attention immediately, an infection like this can spread into your jaw, surrounding healthy tissue, and other areas of the body.
- Loose Teeth As An Adult - Adults should not be losing teeth. Fast treatment can potentially save an adult tooth from falling out. Even if you are experiencing a loose tooth without pain, it is still caused to get an examination.
- Missing Filling - If your filling is missing or has fallen out, you are at risk to experience a chip or break. It may also expose your mouth’s nerves, which can negatively impact your dental health.
When Should You Go To The ER Instead?
Some situations go beyond what a dental office can handle. Head to the nearest emergency room if:
- You’ve experienced serious facial trauma
- You have difficulty breathing or swallowing
- There’s uncontrollable bleeding
- You suspect a broken jaw
For everything else, your dentist is usually your best first call.
How To Prevent Dental Emergencies In The First Place
Not all emergencies can be avoided, but some smart habits go a long way:
- Wear a mouthguard during sports
- Never use your teeth as tools (seriously, don’t open bottles with them)
- Avoid chewing ice, hard candy, or popcorn kernels
- Keep up with your routine cleanings and exams
- Treat small issues—like cavities—before they become big problems
Prevention may not be exciting, but it sure beats an unexpected trip to the dentist.
We’re Ready When You Need Us
Dental emergencies in Augusta ME, Madison ME, and Winslow ME can be stressful, painful, and scary, but you don’t have to go through them alone. At Gentle Family Dentistry, we offer same-day emergency appointments and fast, compassionate care when it matters most.
If you think you are encountering a dental emergency or have any additional questions about your dental health, please give us a call. Our expert dentists have a speciality in general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry services, and would be happy to assist you. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you create the smile of your dreams soon!
