Oral Trauma
Care for teeth and gums hurt in falls, sports and accidents, plus first aid you can do now.
About oral traumaUrgent care
Emergency dental care in Herriman
A broken tooth, a bad toothache or a lost crown can throw off your whole day. Call our office first. We will tell you what to do now and help you get seen.
What should I do in a dental emergency?
Call our office and tell us what happened. We will ask a few questions, tell you what to do at home and work with you on getting care. If swelling spreads toward your eye or neck, you have a high fever, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
- Save our number in your phone before you need it
- Bring any broken pieces of tooth with you
- A knocked-out adult tooth needs care right away
What counts as a dental emergency
Call us if you have any of these problems:
- A tooth that is knocked out or pushed out of place
- A broken, cracked or chipped tooth
- A bad toothache that keeps you up at night
- Swelling in your gums or face, or a pimple-like bump on the gum
- A lost filling or crown
- A cut on your lip, tongue or cheek that keeps bleeding
- A broken braces wire that pokes your mouth
Go to the ER or call 911 if swelling spreads toward your eye or neck, you have a high fever, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing. Also go to the ER for a possible broken jaw or a head injury.
If you were hurt in a fall, sports or an accident, our oral trauma page has more detail. For pain without an injury, see tooth pain and dental problems.
What to do until you see us
Toothache
Rinse with warm salt water and floss gently to clear out any stuck food. Hold a cold pack on your cheek for swelling. Take pain relievers as the label or your dentist directs. Do not put aspirin or pills on the gum.
Knocked-out adult tooth
Pick it up by the crown, the part you chew with, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it gently with milk or water for a few seconds. Do not scrub it. Try to put it back in the socket and bite on a clean cloth to hold it. If you cannot, keep it in a cup of milk. Call us and get care right away. A tooth is most likely to be saved if it is seen within the first hour.
Broken or chipped tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water. Save any pieces in a clean container. Use a cold pack to keep swelling down.
Lost filling or crown
Keep the crown and bring it with you. Chew on the other side and keep the area clean.
Cut lip, tongue or cheek
Press a clean, damp cloth or gauze on the cut for 10 to 15 minutes. If it will not stop bleeding, go to the ER.
Swelling or a gum bump
This may be an infection. Call us soon. Do not try to pop it. Rinse with warm salt water while you wait.
At your visit, your dentist checks the area, takes x-rays if needed and explains your options. Care may include a filling, a crown, a root canal or, if a tooth cannot be saved, an extraction.
Cost and insurance
Your cost depends on the care you need and your dental plan. After your exam, we give you an estimate and go over what your insurance is likely to cover before any treatment starts. We work with most major dental plans and accept CareCredit.
FAQ
Questions about emergency dental care
Should I call the dentist or go to the ER?
For tooth and gum problems, call us first. Go to the ER or call 911 for trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling that spreads toward your eye or neck, a high fever, a possible broken jaw or bleeding that will not stop.
Is a chipped tooth an emergency?
A small chip that does not hurt can usually wait for a regular visit. A large break, sharp pain or a tooth that bleeds inside should be seen soon, so call us.
Can a tooth infection go away by itself?
No. Pain may come and go, but the infection stays and can spread. Call us so your dentist can find the cause and treat it.
What if my problem happens when the office is closed?
Call our office number and listen for directions. If you have any of the warning signs above, do not wait. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Related care
You may also want to know about
Tooth Pain and Dental Problems
Find the cause of toothaches, gum soreness or jaw pain and get a plan to treat it.
About tooth pain and dental problemsRoot Canal Treatment
Clear infection from inside a tooth to ease the ache and keep your natural tooth.
About root canal treatmentTooth Extractions
Careful removal of a tooth that cannot be saved, plus a plan to replace it if you want one.
About tooth extractionsQuestions?
Call to book your visit
Our Herriman team will answer your questions and find a time that works for you.