When a dental emergency strikes, the steps you take in the first minutes can make a real difference to comfort and outcome. Stay calm and assess the situation: note whether there is heavy bleeding, swelling, an object lodged in the mouth, or an obvious fracture. If bleeding is significant, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a soft cloth and keep your head elevated. For swelling, a cold compress applied to the outside of the cheek in short intervals can reduce inflammation and pain.
If a tooth has been knocked out, handle it by the crown (the visible part), not the root. Rinse it gently with water if it’s dirty — do not scrub or use soap — and try to place it back into the socket if you can do so without force. If reinsertion is not possible, store the tooth in milk or a tooth-preservation solution, or keep it between the cheek and gums for transport. Bring any tooth fragments, crowns, or restorations with you so the team can evaluate repair options.
For severe pain, over-the-counter pain relievers and a cold compress can provide temporary relief until you reach care. Avoid placing aspirin directly on gums or teeth and do not attempt home procedures beyond basic first aid. When in doubt, seek professional guidance promptly — timely attention reduces the risk of further damage and helps protect your long-term oral health.
Dental emergencies encompass a wide range of conditions, from sudden, sharp toothaches to traumatic injuries sustained during sports or accidents. Some situations are immediately life-threatening and require emergency medical attention, while others are dental problems that need prompt evaluation to prevent infection, preserve a tooth, or relieve severe pain. Understanding common presentations helps you decide when to contact our office for urgent care.
Typical urgent issues we see include intense tooth pain that interferes with sleep or daily activities, a cracked or fractured tooth with exposed dentin or nerve, and dislodged restorations such as crowns or fillings. Soft-tissue concerns — bleeding, deep lacerations, or suspicious lesions — also warrant examination since they can indicate infection or other conditions that need rapid treatment. Problematic wisdom teeth that cause swelling or persistent pain often require timely attention to limit complications.
Infections, whether localized to the tooth (abscess) or involving the gums and surrounding tissues, pose particular concern. Left untreated, oral infections can spread and affect overall health. Other urgent problems include loose or broken dentures that impair eating and speech, sudden mobility of a natural tooth, and oral sores that worsen quickly. When you experience any of these signs, scheduling an urgent evaluation is the safest course.
Our approach begins with careful triage to determine the severity of the problem and to prioritize immediate needs. The first step is a focused clinical examination of the teeth and soft tissues, aligned with a clear description of symptoms from the patient. We assess pain patterns, signs of infection, mobility, and any visible damage to restorations or prosthetics to form an initial treatment plan.
Diagnostic imaging is a key part of accurate evaluation. We use digital radiography and, when necessary, CBCT imaging to see beneath the surface — identifying root fractures, hidden infections, or bone involvement that aren’t visible on the surface. These tools help us recommend the most appropriate, conservative treatment and avoid surprises during care.
Once we establish the diagnosis, we develop an immediate plan focused on patient comfort and preservation of oral structures. That may include controlling infection with targeted measures, stabilizing a loose tooth, repairing a restoration, or arranging definitive treatment such as root canal therapy or extraction when necessary. Throughout this process we communicate options clearly so patients understand next steps and expected outcomes.
Treatment for dental emergencies ranges from conservative repairs to more involved restorative procedures, depending on the extent of damage. Minor fractures and chips can often be smoothed and rebuilt with dental bonding or a filling to restore function and appearance quickly. When a larger portion of the tooth is compromised, a crown may be recommended to protect the remaining structure and restore biting strength.
If the tooth’s nerve is inflamed or infected, root canal treatment is a common option to relieve pain and save the natural tooth. Modern endodontic techniques aim for predictable outcomes and long-term success while minimizing discomfort. In cases where a tooth cannot be saved, extraction followed by replacement is considered. Advances in implant dentistry, conventional bridges, and prosthetic options allow comprehensive restoration to reestablish chewing function and aesthetics.
For displaced teeth or damaged dentures, we offer stabilization and adjustment services to make prosthetics functional and comfortable again. Soft tissue injuries are treated with appropriate cleansing, suturing when necessary, and follow-up care to monitor healing. Our focus is always to provide relief first, then coordinate durable restorative care that respects each patient’s goals and health needs.
We combine experienced clinicians with modern technology to deliver calm, efficient emergency dentistry. Our team emphasizes prompt assessment, compassionate communication, and individualized treatment plans so patients feel supported during a stressful time. Whether it’s a sudden toothache, a sports-related injury, or a failing restoration, we work to stabilize the situation and outline clear next steps.
Consistency of care matters after an emergency. We provide clear aftercare instructions, schedule follow-up visits, and coordinate restorative or specialty care as needed to restore long-term oral health. When advanced solutions are appropriate — such as CEREC same-day crowns, implant placement, or CBCT-guided planning — we integrate those technologies to shorten treatment timelines and improve predictability.
As a local practice serving Mount Vernon, OH, our priority is to be a reliable resource when urgent dental needs arise. Brian Howe DDS, Family Dentistry brings decades of combined experience and a commitment to patient comfort to every emergency case. We strive to treat each patient with respect, listen closely to concerns, and deliver clinically sound care tailored to each situation.
In summary: dental emergencies require timely, informed action to protect oral and overall health. If you or a family member experiences sudden pain, trauma, or signs of infection, contact us to arrange an urgent evaluation. Our team is ready to provide immediate relief, appropriate diagnostics, and a thoughtful plan for restoring your smile and comfort. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Stay calm and assess the situation, noting whether there is heavy bleeding, swelling, an object lodged in the mouth, or an obvious fracture. If bleeding is significant, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a soft cloth and keep the head elevated. For swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek in short intervals to reduce inflammation and pain. Avoid forcing displaced teeth or objects back into position.
Save any tooth fragments, crowns, or restorations and bring them with you so the team can evaluate repair options. Rinse the mouth gently with warm water and avoid scrubbing injured teeth or tissues. If you are unsure of the severity, contact our office promptly so we can advise on next steps. Timely professional care reduces the risk of long-term complications.
Handle an avulsed tooth by the crown, avoiding contact with the root to protect periodontal cells. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it briefly with water but do not scrub, disinfect, or remove attached tissue. If you can reinsert the tooth into the socket without force, do so and hold it in place gently. If reinsertion is not possible, store the tooth in milk, a tooth-preservation solution, or between the cheek and gums for transport.
Keep the tooth moist and seek urgent dental care because success of reimplantation declines with time. Bring any detached fragments, crowns, or the original restoration to your appointment, as they may assist with repair. Our team can assess the injury, stabilize the tooth with a splint if appropriate, and discuss definitive treatment.
A toothache becomes an emergency when pain is severe enough to interfere with sleep, eating, or daily activities, or when it is accompanied by swelling, fever, or facial redness. Sudden sharp pain after trauma, a persistent throbbing ache, or pain that radiates to the ear or jaw also warrant prompt evaluation. If the pain follows recent dental treatment, call sooner to rule out complications. Delaying care increases the risk of infection and the need for more invasive treatment.
If you experience systemic symptoms such as fever, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or rapidly increasing swelling, seek immediate medical attention. Otherwise contact our office to arrange an urgent visit so we can diagnose the cause and begin treatment. Early diagnosis often allows conservative options to relieve pain and preserve the tooth.
Emergency treatment for dental infections begins with a focused clinical exam and appropriate imaging to locate the source and extent of infection. When an abscess is present, drainage may be performed to reduce pressure and pain while antibiotics are used selectively to control spreading infection. Antibiotics are an adjunct to, not a replacement for, definitive dental treatment such as root canal therapy or extraction. Prompt debridement and targeted therapy help prevent the infection from spreading to surrounding tissues or systemic circulation.
Depending on the diagnosis, we may perform root canal treatment to remove infected tissue and seal the tooth, or extract a nonrestorable tooth to eliminate the source of infection. Follow-up care includes monitoring healing, adjusting medications as needed, and planning restorative solutions once the infection is controlled. Clear communication about symptoms and medical history improves treatment safety and outcomes.
For severe oral bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with clean gauze or a soft cloth directly over the source and keep the head elevated to reduce blood flow. If bleeding does not slow after 20 to 30 minutes of continuous pressure or if blood loss is heavy, seek immediate emergency medical care. Avoid rinsing vigorously or using mouthwash, which can dislodge clots and worsen bleeding.
For swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek in 10- to 15-minute intervals to limit inflammation and pain. If swelling progresses rapidly, affects breathing or swallowing, or is accompanied by high fever, go to the nearest emergency department. Deep lacerations or wounds that gape may require sutures and professional cleaning to reduce infection risk and promote proper healing.
Diagnostic imaging is a key component of emergency dental care; we commonly use digital radiography to evaluate tooth fractures, root involvement, and periapical infection. When surface images are insufficient, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides three-dimensional detail to identify root fractures, bone involvement, and complex anatomy. These tools help avoid surprises during treatment and guide conservative, targeted therapies.
We select the least invasive imaging method that will provide the information needed and explain the rationale to the patient before proceeding. Imaging results are integrated with the clinical exam to prioritize care and design definitive treatment plans. If referral to a specialist is indicated, we will share imaging and findings to streamline care.
At the office of Brian Howe DDS, Family Dentistry, emergency triage begins with a brief phone assessment to determine the severity of symptoms and to prioritize patients who need immediate attention. This triage allows the team to direct resources to cases with uncontrolled pain, spreading infection, or potential airway compromise first. We gather key information about symptoms, medical history, medications, and the time course of the problem to prepare for the patient’s arrival.
On arrival, a focused clinical examination and appropriate imaging establish a working diagnosis and an initial treatment plan aimed at comfort and preservation. Stabilization measures such as pain control, infection management, and temporary repairs are performed promptly, followed by scheduling definitive care. Clear follow-up instructions and coordination with specialists help ensure continuity of care after the urgent visit.
Immediate measures to reduce pain include over-the-counter analgesics at recommended doses, cold compresses to control swelling, and gentle rinsing with warm salt water to cleanse the area. Avoid placing aspirin directly on exposed gums or teeth, and do not attempt complex home procedures that could worsen the injury. If a fractured tooth has a sharp edge, cover it temporarily with dental wax or sugarless gum to protect the tongue and cheek.
Topical anesthetics available over the counter may offer brief relief, but they are not a substitute for professional evaluation and treatment. If swelling or signs of systemic infection appear, seek urgent care as soon as possible because medications alone will not resolve a structural problem. Prompt dental assessment allows us to plan safe, effective definitive treatment to address the source of pain.
Go to the emergency department instead of the dental office if you or the patient have life-threatening signs such as uncontrolled bleeding, severe facial trauma with airway compromise, difficulty breathing, or signs of a severe allergic reaction. Also seek emergency medical care if there is head injury, loss of consciousness, or other systemic instability. Emergency departments can provide immediate medical stabilization before dental evaluation.
For dental problems that are painful but not life-threatening, contact our office so we can advise on urgent dental care and arrange an appointment when appropriate. If you are unsure whether to go to the ER or the dental office, calling for guidance can help determine the safest course. When medical stabilization is required, we coordinate with medical teams to ensure timely dental follow-up.
When preparing for an emergency visit, gather any detached tooth fragments, crowns, or restorations and place them in a sealed container with milk or a preservation solution if available. Bring a list of current medications, known allergies, and a brief description of how and when the injury or symptoms began so the team can assess risk factors and tailor care. If possible, rinse gently with warm water before you leave to remove debris, but avoid vigorous rinsing that could disturb clots or worsen pain.
Arrive at 812 Coshocton Ave, Mount Vernon, OH 43050 and call Brian Howe DDS, Family Dentistry at (740) 393-2161 for existing patients or (740) 200-4777 for new patients so the team can prepare for your arrival and provide pre-visit instructions. If your condition appears to be worsening rapidly, consider going to an emergency department for immediate medical stabilization before dental care. Clear documentation and timely arrival allow the dental team to focus on prompt diagnosis and efficient treatment.
Our friendly and knowledgeable team is always ready to assist you. You can reach us by phone at (740) 393-2161 or by using the convenient contact form below. If you submit the form, a member of our staff will respond within 24–48 hours.
Please do not use this form for emergencies or for appointment-related matters.
