How to Handle a Dental Emergency

Stay Calm. Then Call.

Dental emergencies are stressful, but most of them are manageable if you act quickly and calmly. Whether it's a sudden toothache, a knocked-out tooth, or a broken crown, the first step is always the same: call your dentist. At Bridgewater Dental Center, we keep time in our schedule for emergencies and will do everything we can to see you the same day.

Here's what to do for the most common dental emergencies while you're waiting to get to our office.

Severe Toothache

A toothache that won't go away — especially one that throbs or wakes you up at night — often signals an infection or deep decay. While you wait for your appointment:

• Rinse gently with warm salt water.
• Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen (follow the label directions).
• Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gum — it can burn the tissue.
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek.

Learn more about our approach to toothache treatment.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Time matters here. If an adult tooth is knocked out completely, you may have a 30-minute window to save it. Here's what to do:

• Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part) — never touch the root.
• If it's dirty, rinse it gently with milk or saline. Do not scrub it or use tap water.
• Try to place it back in the socket and hold it gently in place with a clean cloth.
• If you can't re-insert it, keep it moist — in a cup of milk, between your cheek and gum, or in a tooth preservation kit.
• Get to our office or an emergency room as quickly as possible.

Read more about what to do when a tooth is knocked out.

Broken or Chipped Tooth

A broken tooth can range from a minor cosmetic chip to a serious fracture that exposes the nerve. Regardless of severity:

• Save any pieces of the tooth if possible.
• Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area.
• If there's bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze.
• Use a cold compress to manage swelling.
• Avoid chewing on that side until you're seen.

Visit our broken tooth repair page for more detail.

Lost Filling or Crown

A lost filling or crown isn't always an emergency, but it does need attention soon. The exposed tooth is vulnerable to sensitivity, further damage, and decay.

• If you still have the crown, try placing it back over the tooth with a small dab of denture adhesive or toothpaste as a temporary fix.
• Avoid sticky or hard foods on that side.
• Call us to schedule a repair — ideally within a day or two.

More guidance on lost fillings and crowns.

Dental Abscess

An abscess is a pocket of infection, usually at the root of a tooth or in the gum tissue. Signs include severe throbbing pain, swelling in the face or jaw, fever, and a foul taste in your mouth. An abscess will not resolve on its own and can become dangerous if the infection spreads.

• Call us immediately — this is one of the more urgent dental emergencies.
• Rinse with mild salt water to help draw the infection toward the surface.
• Do not pop or squeeze the abscess.
• If swelling is spreading toward your throat, eye, or floor of the mouth, go to the emergency room.

Learn more about dental abscess treatment.

When to Go to the ER Instead

A dentist is almost always better equipped to handle dental emergencies than an emergency room. ERs can manage pain and prescribe antibiotics, but they generally cannot perform dental procedures. However, go to the ER if:

• You have uncontrolled bleeding that won't stop with pressure.
• You suspect a broken jaw.
• Swelling is affecting your breathing or swallowing.
• You have a high fever with facial swelling.

For everything else, call us first at 540-443-2659. We serve patients across Bridgewater, Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, and the greater Shenandoah Valley.

Anxiety During an Emergency

Emergencies are already stressful, and dental anxiety can make them worse. If you're nervous about coming in, tell us when you call. We offer sedation options and a calm, unhurried environment — even when the situation is urgent. Your comfort matters to us regardless of the circumstances.