What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Simple steps to protect your smile until you see us
Posted November 13, 2026 by the Bellevue Family & Cosmetic Dentistry team
Dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can make a real difference in saving a tooth. Here are the steps we recommend for the most common situations.
A knocked-out adult tooth
- Pick the tooth up by the crown (the part you chew with), not the root.
- If it’s dirty, rinse it gently with water. Don’t scrub it or remove any attached tissue.
- If you can, gently place it back in the socket and bite down on clean gauze to hold it in place.
- If that isn’t possible, keep the tooth moist in a small container of milk.
- Call us right away. The sooner you’re seen, ideally within an hour, the better the chance of saving the tooth.
Don’t try to put a knocked-out baby tooth back in. Bring your child in and call us.
A cracked or chipped tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water, hold a cold compress against the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling, and save any pieces of the tooth. Then call us to be seen.
A bad toothache
Rinse with warm water and gently floss to remove anything trapped between your teeth. A cold compress on the outside of your cheek can help. Don’t put aspirin directly on your gums, as it can burn the tissue. Persistent pain usually means something needs treatment, so call us.
A lost filling or crown
Keep the crown if you have it, avoid chewing on that side, and call us. Never use household glue to reattach a crown.
When to go to the emergency room
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have swelling that spreads toward your eye or neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, a high fever with facial swelling, bleeding that won’t stop, or a possible broken jaw after an accident.
We’re here for you
For urgent dental problems, call Bellevue Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at (425) 641-1902. We do our best to see emergencies the same day, and Saturdays are available by appointment for emergencies. Learn more about our emergency dentistry.
This article is general information and isn’t a substitute for an exam. If you’re unsure whether your situation is urgent, give us a call.
