Pain from a Dental Emergency? Read The 7 Most Common Dental Emergencies and What to do
Clinic Staff

7 Most Common Dental Emergencies

A serious dental emergency can occur at any time and when it happens, it is better to be prepared then to be caught unaware of what to do. Contacting your regular dentist in a timely manner is the most important thing when faced with a emergency dental situation but when the office is closed, there are only a few options available for you.


You must first understand what situations are classified as a 24/7 local dentist and then be aware of what to do immediately. Read the most common 7 dental emergency situations below and feel free to schedule an appointment with an 24/7 local dentist near you using Emergency Dental Service. 


7 Most Common Dental Emergencies

1. Tooth Injury

Any trauma to a tooth or the entire jaw classifies as a tooth injury. An injury may cause the tooth to be loosened up or even become removed from its normal position. Immediately seek help from your routine local dentist if this happens to you or contact 24/7 local dentist to find a dentist 24 hours a day. Our emergency dentist will treat your tooth injury within 24 hours to restore the tooth or teeth to the normal state of the tooth before the injury. Most dentists will recommend that you don’t try to fix it on your own in order to avoid further damage.


2. Severe Toothache

Toothaches that are unbearable should not be ignored. They usually signal serious problems like infection or decay. Depending on the toothache, rinsing with either cold or warm water can temporarily help. Over the counter painkillers are recommended until you can schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist listed on the 24/7 local dentist website.


3. Knocked-out tooth

If you have a knocked-out tooth due to some trauma or accident, you have little time to waste. The tooth can be re-fixed to its socket but only if it receives emergency care within 2 hours of being knocked out. When faced with this dental emergency, gently rinsing the tooth in saline or salty water to remove any visible debris or blood is the first thing you should do. If you do not have saline available, put the tooth in small container filled with saliva and then schedule an appointment with an 24/7 local dentist.


4. Impaired braces

If a wire in your braces has broken or come loose, it may poke and scrape your gums, cheeks or tongue. This calls for seeking emergency dental services with a dentist near you. As a temporary measure, you can try covering the wire end with a piece of gauze or a small cotton ball. Once you stop the wire from causing any further damage, schedule an appointment with an 24/7 local dentist as soon as possible.


5. Abscesses

Notice a painful swelling filled with pus on your gum? It could be an abscess, which is an infection that attacks a tooth’s root or the space between the gums and teeth. Leaving the infection untreated can cause it to severely damage surrounding tissue on your teeth and even spread to rest of the body. Get an 24/7 local dentist appointment immediately without wasting time.


6. Cracked, Broken or chipped tooth

Small cracks in the tooth can be fixed with filling. More serious cases may require procedures like a tooth extraction or root canal therapy. At any rate, attend to the damaged tooth as soon as possible because it may lead to bacteria penetration into the inner tooth chamber thus causing infection.


7. Lost restorations like crowns or fillings

If your restorations like crowns, bridges, fillings, etc. have fallen out of place, then you’ll need 24/7 local dentist to fix them back to their original state.


24/7 local dentist is the #1 online resource for connecting patients with 24/7 local dentist directly to dentists in their local area. We have over 30 years of experience helping patients with dental emergencies and understand the frustration of having tooth pain, going to the emergency room or urgent care clinic, only to be referred back to a dentist.


Use Emergency Dental Service to find a dentist near you & speed up the long back and forth process of finding a dental provider & getting you out of pain. Our live operators are ready to help with your dental emergency 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Visit us online or call our 24-hour patient center at: (833) 220-2448.

Toothache and Earache at the Same Time: What's Connected?
By Rabia Tingat • November 2, 2026
Toothache and earache together? Learn why tooth and ear pain are linked, common causes, home care tips, and when to see an emergency dentist.
Tooth Sensitivity to Hot and Cold | Normal or Emergency?
By Rabia Tingat • October 31, 2026
Teeth hurt with hot or cold? Learn what causes sensitivity, the 30-second rule, home fixes, and when it's time to see a dentist.
Tooth Pain When Biting Down | Causes and When to Worry
By Rabia Tingat • October 27, 2026
Does your tooth hurt when you bite? Learn the common causes, which signs are urgent, and what to do before you see a dentist.
Broken or Lost Denture | Emergency Steps to Take
By Rabia Tingat • October 23, 2026
Denture cracked, broken, or lost? Learn what to do right away, what not to try at home, and when to see a dentist or go to the ER.
Bleeding Won't Stop After a Dental Procedure?
By Rabia Tingat • October 21, 2026
Is bleeding after dental work normal? Learn how long it lasts, how to stop it with gauze, and when to call a dentist or go to the ER.
Dental Injury From a Car Accident: First Steps to Take
By Rabia Tingat • October 19, 2026
Hurt your teeth or jaw in a car accident? Learn what to do first, which signs show up later, and how to keep records for insurance.
Sports Dental Injuries: Prevention and What to Do Immediately
By Rabia Tingat • October 16, 2026
Chipped or knocked out a tooth playing sports? Learn what to do right away, when to go to the ER, and how to prevent injuries.
How to Build a Dental Emergency Kit for Home
By Rabia Tingat • October 14, 2026
Build a dental emergency kit for home in one afternoon. See the full checklist, what each item does, and when to call a dentist.
Can Teeth Grinding Cause a Dental Emergency?
By Rabia Tingat • October 12, 2026
Grinding your teeth at night can crack or break them. Learn the warning signs, when it's an emergency, and how to stop it.
Canker Sore or Something Serious? How to Tell
By Rabia Tingat • October 9, 2026
Not sure if a mouth sore is a canker sore or something worse? Learn the signs, healing time, and when to see a dentist.