Dental emergencies
Same-day emergency care
If something happens to your tooth, call us first. We hold same-day emergency appointments Monday through Friday.
What counts as a dental emergency
- Severe or persistent toothache
- Knocked-out tooth (time matters — call immediately)
- Cracked, chipped, or broken tooth with pain
- Lost filling or crown causing pain or sensitivity
- Dental abscess — swelling, fever, or a pimple-like bump on the gum
- Trauma to the mouth or jaw (bike fall, sports injury, fight)
- Bleeding from the mouth that won't stop with pressure
When to go to the ER instead
Most dental issues are best handled in a dental office — but a few are emergencies for the ER:
- • Facial swelling that's spreading toward your eye or down your neck
- • Trouble breathing or swallowing
- • Fever above 101°F with dental swelling
- • A suspected broken jaw
- • Uncontrolled bleeding after a tooth has been knocked out
Lynchburg General Hospital ER is the closest. Call them at (434) 200-3000 or 911 if you're not sure.
If your tooth got knocked out
- 1. Pick up the tooth by the crown (the chewing surface), not the root.
- 2. Rinse it gently with milk or saline (not tap water, and don't scrub — the cells on the root surface are delicate).
- 3. If you can, place it back in the socket and bite on a soft cloth to hold it in place.
- 4. If you can't, put it in a cup of milk (not water).
- 5. Call us immediately. The first 30 to 60 minutes are the best window for re-implantation.
Tooth extractions
Sometimes saving the tooth isn't the best option — for severely broken teeth, advanced gum disease, or stubborn infections, extraction is the right call. We aim for gentle removal with as much comfort as possible.
Learn about tooth extractions →Common questions
FAQs
- What counts as a dental emergency?
- Severe toothache, a knocked-out tooth, a cracked or broken tooth with pain, a lost filling or crown causing discomfort, a dental abscess (swelling, fever), or any trauma to the mouth or jaw. If you're not sure, call us — we'll help you decide whether it can wait or whether to come in.
- Do you see emergencies the same day?
- Yes — we hold same-day emergency slots Monday through Friday during clinic hours. Call as early in the day as you can; we'll get you in. After-hours, we'll route you to the appropriate next step, including ER if needed for facial trauma.
- What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?
- Time matters. Pick up the tooth by the crown (not the root), gently rinse it with milk or saline (not water, no scrubbing), and try to place it back in the socket. If you can't, put it in a cup of milk and get to our office within 30 to 60 minutes if possible. The sooner we re-implant, the better the chance of saving the tooth.
- What if I have severe swelling or fever?
- A dental infection that's caused facial swelling or fever can become serious quickly. Call us right away. If swelling is spreading to your eye or affecting your breathing or swallowing, go to the ER — that's beyond what a dental office can safely manage.
- I broke a tooth but it doesn't hurt — is it still urgent?
- Not always, but it's worth a call. A sharp edge can cut your tongue, and a fracture below the gum line may need to be addressed before it gets worse. We'll triage over the phone and schedule you in the next available slot — same day if needed.
- What about pain in the middle of the night?
- For pain that can wait until morning, over-the-counter ibuprofen (with food, every 6 to 8 hours as directed) usually keeps things manageable. Call us first thing the next morning. For pain with swelling, fever, or trouble breathing/swallowing, head to the ER.
- Do you do extractions on emergency visits?
- Yes, when that's the right call. Some emergencies are best solved by saving the tooth (root canal, crown); some are best solved by extraction. We'll talk through the options and the long-term plan before doing anything irreversible.
Call us first
If you're not sure whether it's an emergency, call 540-315-3725. We'll help you figure it out.