It’s 7 a.m. on a Saturday. Your kid just tripped on the stairs and knocked out a front tooth. Or maybe you bit down on something hard last night, and now half a molar is sitting in your hand. Your heart’s racing, and you’ve got no idea what to do next.
First, take a breath. You’re not the first person to call us in a panic, and you won’t be the last. At Montgomery Dental Associates, we’ve talked plenty of Rockville patients through scary dental moments. Here’s exactly what to do, and what not to do, during a dental emergency before you can get to our Shady Grove Road office.
Knocked-Out Tooth
This one’s the most time-sensitive. You’ve got about 30 to 60 minutes to save that tooth, so move fast.
Pick the tooth up by the crown, the part you’d normally see in a smile. Don’t touch the root. If it’s dirty, rinse it gently with milk or saline. Don’t scrub it. Avoid using water if you can.
If you can, gently place the tooth back into the socket and bite down on a clean cloth to hold it there. If that’s not possible, drop it in a cup of milk or your own saliva. Never let it dry out. Then call us immediately at 301-869-2600.
Broken or Chipped Tooth
A broken tooth usually isn’t an emergency in the life-or-death sense, but it does need attention soon.
- Save any pieces you can find.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
- If there’s bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze or a clean tea bag.
- A cold compress on the outside of your cheek can help with swelling.
- Avoid chewing on that side, and skip anything hot or cold if it’s sensitive.
Call us during business hours, and we’ll get you in quickly. Most chips and breaks are simple to repair once we take a look.
Severe Toothache
A throbbing tooth that keeps you up at night is miserable. And it usually means something’s wrong beneath the surface, often an infection.
- Rinse with warm salt water.
- Floss gently around the tooth in case something’s lodged in there.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen if you can safely take it.
- Don’t put aspirin directly on your gum. It can burn the tissue.
If your face is swelling, that’s a sign you need to be seen right away. Call us. If it’s after hours and the swelling is getting worse or you have a fever, head to urgent care or the ER. Dental infections can spread, and that’s not something to wait on.
Lost Filling or Crown
This one feels alarming but is usually manageable. Save the crown if you have it. Clean it gently and keep it safe.
In the meantime, you can use dental wax, sugar-free gum, or even a bit of toothpaste to temporarily cover the exposed tooth. Just don’t use superglue. We’ve seen it, and it’s not pretty.
Avoid chewing on that side, and call us to schedule a repair. Most lost crowns can be re-cemented in a single visit.
When to Skip the Call and Go Straight to the ER
Some situations aren’t dental emergencies. They’re medical ones. Head to the emergency room if you have:
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- A swollen eye or neck
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- A suspected broken jaw
Your life comes first. We’ll handle the teeth afterward.
The One Thing to Remember
In any dental emergency, the same rule applies: save what you can, don’t panic, and call us. We’ve seen it all. Nobody’s going to judge you for the state of your mouth when you walk in. Our only goal is to get you comfortable and fix what’s broken.
Save our number in your phone right now: 301-869-2600. If it’s after hours, leave a message, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. And if it’s truly urgent, don’t wait; call us, and we’ll guide you from there.
Because emergencies never pick a convenient time. But you don’t have to handle one alone.
