Tampa Bay Dental Emergencies: What Counts as Urgent and What Can Wait

Go to the Emergency Room First If…

Some situations are medical emergencies before they are dental ones. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:

• Swelling in your face, jaw, or neck that is making it hard to breathe or swallow
• Bleeding from the mouth that won't stop after 15 to 20 minutes of firm pressure
• A possible broken jaw, or a head injury along with a dental injury
• A high fever along with facial swelling

Once you're stable, call us so we can take care of the tooth itself.

Call Us Today: These Need Same-Day Dental Care

These problems can get worse quickly, and acting fast often decides whether a tooth can be saved. Call our Riverview office at (813) 741-0483 as soon as you can.

A Knocked-Out Adult Tooth

Time matters most here. A permanent tooth has the best chance of being saved if it is put back within about an hour. Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), not the root. If it's dirty, rinse it gently with milk or water without scrubbing. Try to place it back in the socket and bite gently on a clean cloth. If you can't, keep it in a cup of milk or inside your cheek, and come in right away. Don't try to put a baby tooth back in; just call us.

Severe Toothache or Swelling

Throbbing pain that keeps you up at night, pain when you bite, or a swollen gum or cheek can be signs of an infection or abscess. An abscess will not go away on its own, and the infection can spread. Rinse with warm salt water and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed, but don't put aspirin directly on the gum. A root canal or extraction is often needed to clear the infection.

A Cracked or Broken Tooth with Pain

A large break, a crack that hurts when you chew, or a break where you can see pink or red tissue in the center of the tooth means the nerve may be exposed. Save any pieces, rinse your mouth with warm water, and use a cold compress on your cheek for swelling.

A Tooth That Has Been Pushed Out of Place

If a tooth has been knocked loose, pushed in, or shifted after an injury, don't try to force it back. Bite down gently to keep it still and call us.

Call Us Within a Day or Two: Urgent but Not an Emergency

These problems aren't usually dangerous, but they shouldn't be put off for weeks. Call us and we'll find the soonest appointment.

• A lost filling or crown. Keep the crown and bring it with you. You can use dental cement from a pharmacy to hold it temporarily. Don't use household glue.
• A small chip with no pain. Smooth sharp edges with sugarless gum or dental wax to protect your tongue and cheek.
• A broken denture or partial. Don't try to glue it yourself, as the fit can be thrown off.
• Sore or bleeding gums around a wisdom tooth. Rinse with warm salt water and keep the area clean. Painful wisdom teeth are often a sign they need to be evaluated.
• Mild sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers or is getting worse.

Usually Fine to Wait for a Regular Appointment

• Brief sensitivity to cold that goes away right after
• A small stain or cosmetic chip that doesn't hurt
• Mild gum bleeding when you floss (often a sign that it's time for a cleaning)
• A slightly loose baby tooth in a child of the right age

If you're not sure which group your problem falls into, call us anyway. We would much rather talk you through it than have you wait on something that needs attention.

How to Prevent the Most Common Dental Emergencies

• Wear a mouthguard for sports. Youth football, baseball, soccer, and skateboarding are some of the most common causes of knocked-out teeth we see.
• Don't chew ice, hard candy, or popcorn kernels, and don't use your teeth to open packages.
• Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth. Grinding is a common cause of cracked teeth and broken crowns.
• Keep up with checkups every six months. Most toothaches start as small cavities or worn fillings that are easy to fix early.

Emergency Dental Care in Riverview, FL

EverySmile Dental (formerly Boyette Dental) has cared for families in Riverview, Brandon, Valrico, FishHawk, Lithia, Bloomingdale, and across Tampa Bay for nearly 25 years. We keep time open for emergency dental visits and do our best to see patients in pain the same day. Sedation is available if you're anxious about treatment.

Call: (813) 741-0483

Request Appointment: Contact Us

Office Location: 10825 Boyette Rd, STE A, Riverview, FL 33569

This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for an exam. If you have a dental or medical emergency, call your dentist or 911.