Most dental problems that start on a weekend or at night can wait until your dentist opens, as long as you can control the pain and there is no swelling that affects breathing, swallowing, or your eye. A knocked-out adult tooth cannot wait, and neither can heavy bleeding, a serious face injury, or swelling with a fever. Those need an ER, urgent care, or 911 right away.
This guide helps you sort the problem in front of you into one of three groups: go now, call first thing, or book soon. It is general information, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, get checked.
Reviewed by Dr. Lynne Midgley, DDS, and Dr. Michael DeWitt, dentists at DeWitt Dental Associates in Cherry Creek, Denver.
Can a Dental Emergency Wait Until Monday?
Many can, but some cannot. The question to ask is not “how much does it hurt?” but “is this getting worse, spreading, or about to cost me the tooth?”
Pain alone is a poor guide. A small crack can hurt a lot, while a serious infection can feel mild for a while. Instead, look at three things:
- Your airway and your body. Swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, or swelling with a fever, is a medical problem first.
- Time-sensitive damage. A knocked-out adult tooth has the best chance of being saved when it is seen within about 30 minutes to an hour.
- Control. If cold compresses and the steps below keep you comfortable, the problem can usually wait for office hours.
Go Now: Problems That Should Not Wait
These signs mean you should call 911 or go to an ER or urgent care, even if it is the middle of the night. Once you are safe, call your dentist during office hours so the tooth can be checked.
- Swelling that affects breathing or swallowing
- Swelling that spreads toward your eye or down your neck
- A fever together with face or gum swelling
- Bleeding that will not stop after 10 to 15 minutes of steady pressure
- A serious injury to your face, jaw, or head
- A knocked-out adult tooth when your dentist is closed, does not answer, or cannot see you within the hour
An ER may not be able to fix the tooth itself. That is okay. Its job is to deal with the swelling, bleeding, or injury and keep you safe. You will still need a dentist afterward to treat the cause.
Call First Thing: Problems That Can Wait a Short While
These problems are not usually dangerous overnight, but they should be checked on the next day the office is open. Waiting much longer can make the repair bigger.
- A toothache that keeps you up at night. Strong, lasting pain often means the nerve inside the tooth is irritated or infected.
- Gum or face swelling without the warning signs above. Swelling should be checked soon, even if the pain fades. Pain that goes away does not always mean the problem did.
- A bump on the gum. This can be a sign of an abscess. Do not press or pop it.
- A broken tooth with a sharp edge or a large piece missing. The inside of the tooth may be exposed.
- A loose adult tooth after a fall or hit.
If any of these gets worse while the office is closed, such as swelling that grows or a new fever, move it up to the “go now” group.
Book Soon: Problems That Can Wait a Few Days
These problems are annoying, but they rarely get dangerous over a weekend. Call during office hours to set up a visit within the next several days.
- A small chip with no pain
- A lost filling that does not hurt
- A crown that came off but you still have it and the tooth feels okay
- Mild sensitivity to hot or cold that comes and goes
- Food stuck between teeth that floss will not remove, with no swelling
A small problem can still turn into a bigger one. A lost crown, for example, can let the tooth underneath shift or break. Booking soon keeps a simple fix simple. For a crown that came off, our page on dental crowns explains what a repair or replacement can involve, including one-visit crowns for eligible cases.
What to Do Until the Office Opens
For most dental problems, keep the area clean, use a cold compress for swelling, and save any broken pieces. These steps will not fix the problem, but they can keep you comfortable and protect the tooth.
Toothache
Rinse with warm water and gently floss around the tooth to clear out food. Hold a cold compress on your cheek for swelling. Ask a pharmacist or doctor which pain medicine is right for you. Do not put pills or medicine directly on your gums or the tooth, since this can burn the tissue.
Broken or chipped tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water. Save any pieces in a clean container and bring them with you. If a sharp edge is cutting your tongue or cheek, chew on the other side and skip very hard foods. A small chip may be fixed with a tooth-colored filling.
Lost crown or filling
Keep the crown in a clean container and bring it to your visit. Do not use household glue to put it back. Chew on the other side until you are seen.
Knocked-out adult tooth
Hold the tooth by the top part, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly without scrubbing. Try to place it back in the socket and bite gently on clean gauze. If you cannot, keep it moist in milk or in your mouth next to your cheek. Do not store it in water or let it dry out. Then get care right away. Never put a baby tooth back in.
Swelling
Rinse with mild salt water and use a cold compress on the outside of your face. Do not use heat. Watch for the warning signs listed above.
How to Make the Monday Call Go Faster
A clear call helps the team find the right opening. Before you call, have a few details ready.
- What happened and when it started
- Which tooth or area hurts, and whether it is upper or lower, left or right
- Whether you have swelling, a fever, or trouble chewing
- Anything you saved, such as a crown or a broken piece
- Your insurance card, if you have one
You do not need to be a current patient to call. New patients are welcome. If you have dental insurance, bring the card. If our office is not in your network, you can still be seen, and the team can walk you through your options on our Insurance and Payment page.
How We Handle Urgent Visits in Cherry Creek
DeWitt Dental Associates sees urgent problems during office hours, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, at 3300 E 1st Ave, Suite 615, in Denver. We are closed Saturday and Sunday. When you call, we look for the next opening.
At your visit, the dentist examines the area and usually takes an x-ray to find the cause. Then you hear what is going on and what your choices are before any treatment starts. Our emergency dentistry page covers each type of problem in more detail, from toothaches to cracked teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I go to the ER for a toothache?
Go to the ER for a toothache if you also have swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, swelling that spreads to your eye or neck, or a fever. For a toothache without those signs, the ER can help with pain, but you will still need a dentist to treat the cause. Calling a dentist during office hours is usually the better path.
Can a broken tooth wait until Monday?
A broken tooth can often wait until Monday if the pain is under control and there is no swelling or heavy bleeding. Save any pieces, rinse with warm water, and chew on the other side. Call first thing when the office opens, since a break can grow larger with time.
How long can a lost crown wait?
A lost crown that does not hurt can usually wait a few days. Keep the crown clean and bring it with you, because it can sometimes be put back on if it still fits. Do not wait for weeks, since the tooth underneath can shift, decay, or break.
Is a swollen gum an emergency?
A swollen gum needs a dentist soon, even if it does not hurt much. It becomes an emergency that cannot wait if the swelling affects breathing or swallowing, spreads to your eye or neck, or comes with a fever. In those cases, go to an ER or call 911.
What counts as a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is a mouth problem that should be checked soon, such as strong tooth pain, a broken or knocked-out tooth, or swelling. Most can be handled by a dentist during office hours. A few warning signs, like trouble breathing or a fever with swelling, need 911 or the ER first.
Call When the Office Opens
If you have a dental problem that can wait for office hours, call the New Patient Line at (303) 416-8517, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Tell us what happened and we will look for the next opening. To learn what a first visit looks like, see our new patient page.