Tooth problems have a way of showing up at the worst possible time. A 2 a.m. throbbing molar. A chip during dinner. Bleeding gums on a Sunday morning. The question isn’t whether it’s annoying — it’s whether you need to be seen today, tomorrow, or next week.
Here’s a plain-spoken guide to what counts as a true dental emergency, what can wait, and when to call us at A Smile By Design.
True emergencies — call right away
- Severe, persistent pain that’s keeping you from eating, sleeping, or functioning
- A knocked-out adult tooth (time matters — same-day saves teeth)
- Significant swelling in the face, jaw, or neck
- Bleeding that won’t stop after 10-15 minutes of pressure
- A dental abscess — pus, fever, or a bad taste in your mouth
- Trauma to the jaw from a fall or accident
- A broken tooth with sharp edges or exposed nerve
For these, call us at (585) 335-2120. We hold time on our schedule every day for emergencies.
Go to the ER first if…
- Swelling is affecting your ability to breathe or swallow
- You’ve had significant head, neck, or jaw trauma
- You’re running a high fever along with facial swelling
- You can’t control bleeding
Once you’re stable, follow up with us so we can address the underlying dental issue.
Urgent — same week, but not necessarily today
- A lost crown or filling (no pain, but the tooth is exposed)
- A small chip that’s not painful
- Mild tooth sensitivity that’s lasting
- A loose tooth (in adults)
- Persistent canker sores or mouth sores
Call when our office opens. We’ll get you in within a few days, often sooner.
Routine — schedule when convenient
- Mild tooth or gum sensitivity that comes and goes
- Cosmetic chips with no functional issue
- An old filling you’re not happy with but doesn’t hurt
- Floss snagging on one spot
What to do while you wait
- For pain: ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed; cold compress on the outside of your cheek
- For a knocked-out tooth: rinse gently (don’t scrub the root), keep it moist in milk or saliva, bring it with you
- For a broken tooth: rinse with warm salt water, save any pieces, avoid chewing on that side
- For swelling: warm salt water rinses every few hours; cold compress on the outside
- For a lost crown: over-the-counter dental cement (drugstore) can hold it temporarily
Don’t tough it out
People often try to wait dental pain out. Sometimes it does fade — but that doesn’t mean the problem went away. Pain that disappears can mean the nerve has died, which is often the moment a small problem becomes a root canal or extraction.
If you’re not sure whether what you’re feeling counts, call. We’d rather hear from you and tell you it can wait than have you hold off on something that shouldn’t have waited.
For same-day care, contact our Dansville emergency dental office at (585) 335-2120.