Not medical advice. This tool gives general information based on public guidance from the American Dental Association, the American Association of Endodontists and the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NIH). It can't examine you. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, heavy bleeding, or think it may be life-threatening, call 911 now. If in doubt, call 911 or your dentist.
How urgent is it? (all categories) Call 911 or go to the ER now Go to the emergency room or call 911 now. Don't wait for a dental appointment.
Trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling spreading to the neck, under the tongue or toward the eye: Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room now. A mouth or neck infection that affects breathing or swallowing can become life-threatening quickly. Do not wait for a dental office to open.Bleeding from the mouth that will not stop after 10–15 minutes of firm pressure: Press clean gauze or a damp cloth firmly on the area and keep pressure on. If the bleeding still won't stop, go to an emergency room or call 911.Possible broken jaw or facial bones (injury, can't close your teeth together normally): Hold a cold compress on the outside of the face to limit swelling and go to a hospital emergency department right away. If there was a blow to the head, or any trouble breathing, call 911.See a dentist today (urgent) Call a dentist now and ask to be seen today. If no dental office is open, go to an urgent care clinic or emergency room.
Adult (permanent) tooth knocked out: Time matters most — try to be seen within 30 minutes. Pick the tooth up by the crown (the chewing part), never the root. If dirty, rinse it briefly with water only; don't scrub or dry it. If you can, gently push it back into the socket and bite on gauze to hold it. Otherwise keep it moist in milk, in your cheek, or in a tooth-preservation kit (not plain tap water). Call a dentist or endodontist immediately; if no office is open, go to an emergency room.Baby tooth knocked out (child): Find the tooth, keep it moist and get your child to a dentist. Don't try to push a baby tooth back in yourself — the dentist will decide what to do.Swelling of the face, jaw or gum: Call a dentist today. A swollen jaw can mean a spreading infection, which MedlinePlus describes as a very serious sign. If the swelling spreads quickly, or breathing or swallowing gets harder, call 911.Fever together with tooth or gum pain: See a dentist today — fever with tooth pain can mean an abscess. Over-the-counter pain or fever medicine taken as directed may help in the meantime. Never put aspirin directly on the tooth or gum.Severe, constant or throbbing tooth pain: Call a dentist today; most offices keep time for emergencies. Rinse with warm water and floss gently to remove trapped food. Don't put aspirin on the gum, as it can burn the tissue.Tooth pushed out of place or loosened by an injury: See a dentist today. Don't force the tooth; bite gently on gauze to keep it steady and use a cold compress on the outside of the face.Cracked or broken tooth that hurts: Rinse with warm water, hold a cold compress on the face to reduce swelling, save any pieces, and see a dentist as soon as possible — today if the pain is significant or a sharp edge is cutting your mouth.Book a dentist in the next few days This needs a dentist soon, but usually not tonight. Call sooner if it gets worse.
Bitten lip, tongue or cheek: Clean gently with water and hold a cold compress on it. If it bleeds heavily, won't stop, or is very painful, see a dentist or go to an emergency room.Small chip with no pain: This usually doesn't need an emergency visit, but book a dentist to smooth or repair it so a sharp edge doesn't cut your tongue or lip.Lost filling or crown: Book a dentist within the next few days. Keep a lost crown safe and bring it with you. Chew on the other side and avoid very hot, cold or sticky foods. If it becomes painful, call sooner.Braces wire or bracket poking or rubbing the mouth: Call your orthodontist or dentist; a poking wire can be clipped or adjusted. Orthodontic wax over the sharp end can help until then. Don't pull on the wire.Something stuck between teeth that floss won't remove: Try gentle flossing only — don't dig with a pin or other sharp object. If it won't come out, see a dentist, since it can cause pain or infection.Mild to moderate toothache lasting more than a day or two: Book a dentist in the next few days. Rinse with warm water and floss gently. If fever, ear pain or pain when opening wide appears, or the pain becomes severe, call sooner.A small bump or "pimple" on the gum: This can be a sign of an abscess. Book a dentist soon — sooner if there is pain, swelling or fever.Can wait for a regular appointment This can usually wait for a routine visit. Book sooner if it changes or gets worse.
Mild sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet: Usually this can wait for a regular appointment. Mention it at your next visit — your dentist can look for the cause, such as worn enamel, a cavity or gum recession. If it becomes a lingering or severe pain, book sooner.Find a dentist near you Our statewide listings come from the public NPI registry; we can't tell which offices take same-day emergencies, so call first.
Los Angeles area emergency dentist guides: Beverly Hills, CA · Burbank, CA · Culver City, CA · Encino, CA · Glendale, CA · Long Beach, CA · Los Angeles, CA · North Hollywood, CA · Pasadena, CA · Santa Monica, CA · Sherman Oaks, CA · Studio City, CA · Torrance, CA · Van Nuys, CA · West Hollywood, CA
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Learn more: What counts as a dental emergency? · Emergencia dental (en español)
Sources Guidance on this page is our own plain-English summary of the following public sources (links checked October 29, 2026). Which of the four urgency groups each problem falls into is our editorial summary of these sources, not an official classification.