Is It a Dental Emergency? What to Do Before You Call Us
Dental problems have a way of showing up at the worst time. A piece of a molar breaks off during dinner. A dull ache turns into throbbing pain overnight. Your child takes a soccer ball to the face.
In the moment, it’s hard to know whether you need to be seen today or whether it can wait until a regular appointment. Here’s a simple way to sort it out, along with what to do while you’re on your way to us.
Go to the ER First If You Have Any of These
Some situations need a hospital emergency room before a dentist:
- Swelling in your face or neck that makes it hard to breathe or swallow
- A high fever along with facial swelling
- A possible broken jaw
- Bleeding that won’t stop with steady pressure
Once you’re stable, we can take care of the dental side of things.
Call Us Right Away for These
These problems should be seen the same day if possible. At Modern Touch Dental, we hold same-day openings for patients in pain, whether you’ve been coming here for years or never visited before.
- Severe or Throbbing Tooth Pain: Pain that keeps you up at night, or that comes with swelling or a bad taste, can mean an infection that may need a root canal.
- A Knocked-Out Adult Tooth: Pick it up by the top, not the root. Rinse it gently if it’s dirty, then try to put it back in the socket or keep it in a cup of milk. The sooner you get here, the better the chance of saving it.
- A Cracked or Broken Tooth: Rinse with warm water and save any pieces you can find. Depending on the damage, a crown can often restore it.
- A Swollen Gum or Pimple-Like Bump Near a Tooth: This often points to an abscess, which won’t clear up on its own.
- An Injury to the Lips, Cheeks or Gums: Press a clean, damp cloth on the area to slow bleeding, and use a cold compress for swelling.
Call Soon, but It Can Usually Wait a Day or Two
These still need attention, but they’re rarely urgent:
- A small chip that doesn’t hurt
- A filling or crown that fell out without pain (keep the crown, and don’t glue it back yourself)
- Mild sensitivity to hot or cold
- A broken denture or retainer
If you’re unsure where your problem fits, call us and describe what’s going on. We’d rather hear from you than have you guess.
What Happens When You Come In
First, we get you out of pain. Digital X-rays and 3D imaging show what’s going on beneath the surface, and Dr. Nathan McDonald explains what he sees and your options before doing anything.
Because Dr. McDonald trained in oral surgery during his residency, we can handle most urgent treatment right here in our Glendale office, including extractions and wisdom teeth removal. If you’re nervous, ask about nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation.
A Few Things to Avoid
- Don’t put aspirin directly on a sore tooth or gum. It can burn the tissue.
- Don’t ignore swelling just because the pain eases. An infection can quiet down and still be spreading.
- Don’t wait over a weekend if the pain is severe or swelling is growing. That’s when the ER is the right call.
Our Hours and How to Reach Us
We’re open Monday through Friday and closed on weekends, with appointments as early as 7:00 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays and until 7:00 PM on Wednesdays. We don’t offer 24-hour care.
We accept Delta Dental and Careington, and Elite Smiles+ members get an emergency exam included each year.
If something hurts, call us at 414-964-0680. We’re on N Port Washington Road, close to Whitefish Bay, Fox Point and Shorewood.