Common Questions

Dental Emergency: What To Do in the First Hour

If a permanent tooth has been knocked out, act immediately - handle it by the crown rather than the root, keep it moist in milk or your own saliva, do not scrub it clean, and get to a dentist as fast as you can. Time genuinely changes the outcome for that specific injury. For other dental emergencies the urgency varies, and this page explains which situations need same-day care and which can reasonably wait. If you are in Peachtree Corners or Peachtree Corners, Norcross, Gwinnett County GA, call McDonald Dental at 678-304-4319 and describe what happened so you can be triaged properly.

Knocked-out permanent tooth

Pick the tooth up by the crown - the part you normally see - not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or saline; do not scrub it, use soap, or dry it, because the cells on the root surface matter. If you can, gently reinsert it into the socket and bite softly on gauze. If you cannot, store it in milk, or in your own saliva by holding it in your cheek if there is no risk of swallowing it. Water is the least good option. Then get to a dentist urgently. Baby teeth are handled differently and should not be reinserted.

Severe toothache or facial swelling

Persistent severe pain usually signals an infected or inflamed nerve. Facial swelling, a fever, or swelling that involves the eye or extends toward the neck is more serious and needs prompt attention - if swelling is affecting your breathing or swallowing, that is an emergency-room situation, not a dental-office one. In the meantime, a cold compress on the outside of the cheek can help. Do not place aspirin directly against the gum; it burns the tissue.

Broken, cracked or chipped tooth

Rinse with warm water and save any fragments. A cold compress reduces swelling. A small chip with no pain can usually wait for a normal appointment, but a tooth that is painful, sharp enough to cut your tongue, or broken deep enough to show a pink or red center needs same-day care - that color means the pulp is exposed.

Lost filling or crown

This is uncomfortable but rarely a true emergency. Keep the crown if you have it and bring it in. Temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can protect the tooth for a short period. Avoid using household glue. Chew on the other side and book promptly, because an unprotected tooth can fracture or decay quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to save a knocked-out tooth?

The sooner the better - the odds fall as time passes, and the first hour matters most. Keeping the tooth moist in milk or saliva during transport meaningfully helps.

Should I go to the ER or a dentist?

A dentist is the right destination for most dental emergencies. Go to an emergency room for difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or a suspected jaw fracture.

What can I take for the pain until I am seen?

Over-the-counter pain relief taken as directed on the label is reasonable for most adults. Follow the package instructions, and check with your physician or pharmacist if you take other medications or have health conditions.

Dental emergency in Peachtree Corners? Call McDonald Dental at 678-304-4319 now and describe what happened.