Dental emergencies can happen anytime — during a meal, at work, while playing sports, or even in the middle of the night. Whether it’s a severe toothache or a knocked-out tooth, knowing how to respond can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth.
At Always Smile Dental Care in North Brunswick, NJ, we understand that emergencies are stressful. That’s why we’ve created this complete guide to help you stay calm, handle the situation correctly, and know when to contact an emergency dentist.
In any dental emergency, staying calm and acting quickly can save your tooth — and your smile.
🦷 What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any oral issue that requires immediate attention to stop pain, bleeding, swelling, or potential tooth loss. Common dental emergencies include:
- Severe, persistent toothache
- Knocked-out tooth
- Chipped, cracked, or fractured tooth
- Loose or missing dental crown or filling
- Gum or facial swelling
- Abscess or infection
- Excessive bleeding after a dental procedure
- Injury to the lips, gums, or tongue
- Broken braces wires or lost aligners
- Trauma caused by accidents or sports injuries
If you’re unsure whether it’s an emergency, remember:
If it hurts, bleeds, or affects how you eat or talk — treat it as an emergency.
1️⃣ Severe Toothache
A toothache that doesn’t go away, keeps you awake at night, or gets worse with pressure often signals an underlying problem such as decay, infection, or a cracked tooth.
✔ What to Do Immediately
- Rinse your mouth with warm water
- Floss gently to remove any trapped food
- Avoid putting aspirin directly on the tooth (it can burn the gums)
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if necessary
🚫 Do NOT
- Use sharp objects to poke around the tooth
- Apply heat — it can increase inflammation
🏥 When to Call a Dentist
If the pain is severe, throbbing, or accompanied by swelling, contact Always Smile Dental Care right away. You may have an abscess or infection requiring treatment.
2️⃣ Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Tooth
A knocked-out tooth is one of the most urgent dental emergencies. If handled properly, a dentist may still be able to save the tooth.
✔ What to Do Immediately
- Pick up the tooth by the crown (top part), NOT the root
- If dirty, rinse gently — do NOT scrub the root
- Try to place the tooth back into its socket
- If that’s not possible, store it in:
- A glass of milk
- Saliva (inside your cheek)
- A tooth preservation kit
🕒 Time Matters!
You have 30–60 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth.
🏥 Go to the Dentist ASAP
Call our North Brunswick office immediately for urgent care.
3️⃣ Chipped, Cracked, or Broken Tooth
This is common in sports injuries, falls, or biting hard foods.
✔ What to Do
- Rinse with warm water
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
- Save any pieces of the tooth (if available)
- Avoid chewing on that side
🏥 When to See a Dentist
If the tooth is painful, sensitive to hot/cold, or bleeding — seek immediate care. A deep crack can expose the nerve and lead to infection.
4️⃣ Lost Filling or Crown
A missing filling or crown exposes your tooth and can cause significant pain, especially when eating.
✔ What to Do
- Keep the crown if it has fallen out
- Apply clove oil for temporary relief
- Use over-the-counter dental cement (NOT super glue) to cover the area temporarily
🏥 See Your Dentist Soon
A crown or filling needs to be replaced as soon as possible to prevent further decay or damage.
5️⃣ Abscessed Tooth (Infection)
A dental abscess is a serious infection that can spread to the jaw, neck, and even the bloodstream if untreated.
Symptoms include:
- Severe toothache
- Swelling in the gums or face
- Fever
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Pus around the gumline
✔ What to Do Immediately
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Apply a cold compress
- Take OTC pain relievers
🚨 Warning
Never pop an abscess. Infection can spread dramatically.
This is a true dental emergency — contact us immediately.
6️⃣ Broken Braces, Wire, or Invisalign Issues
Broken orthodontic equipment can cause cuts inside the mouth.
✔ If a Wire Breaks
- Use orthodontic wax to cover sharp edges
- Do NOT cut the wire yourself
- Avoid hard or crunchy foods
✔ Invisalign
If you damage or lose an aligner, call us promptly. Continuing treatment without it may delay progress.
7️⃣ Bleeding After Tooth Extraction
Some bleeding is normal for 24 hours, but heavy bleeding is not.
✔ What to Do
- Bite down on clean gauze for 20–30 minutes
- Keep your head elevated
- Avoid spitting, smoking, and using straws
🏥 When to Call a Dentist
Seek urgent care if bleeding continues beyond 24 hours or becomes heavy and uncontrolled.
🧊 Additional Tips for Any Dental Emergency
- Stay calm — panic increases pain and makes it harder to think clearly.
- Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling.
- Avoid sugar and extremely hot/cold foods.
- Never ignore pain — it rarely goes away on its own.
- Keep a dental emergency kit at home and in your car.
🦷 Why Choose Always Smile Dental Care for Emergency Dentistry in North Brunswick?
At Always Smile Dental Care, we offer:
✔ Same-day emergency appointments
✔ Gentle, compassionate care
✔ Modern equipment for quick diagnosis
✔ Skilled treatment for all dental emergencies
✔ A clean, safe, family-friendly environment
We serve patients from North Brunswick, New Brunswick, Milltown, Kendall Park, East Brunswick, and surrounding NJ communities.
Your comfort and safety are our top priority — especially during emergencies.
🗓 Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait — Act Fast in a Dental Emergency
Dental emergencies can be scary, but knowing what to do can save your tooth and prevent serious complications. Whether it’s a sudden toothache, a knocked-out tooth, or swelling, prompt action + the right dentist makes all the difference.
If you or a loved one faces a dental emergency, Always Smile Dental Care in North Brunswick, NJ is here to help — quickly and compassionately.
📞 Need Emergency Dental Care in North Brunswick?
📍 Visit us at Always Smile Dental Care – North Brunswick, NJ
📞 Call us at (+1) 732-633-2255
🌐 Schedule an appointment online today – Book Now
