After Hours Frequently Asked Questions

Call our offices immediately. If your usual office happens to be closed, you can call any of our other offices. If all our offices are closed and you need immediate medical attention, please go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care clinic. 

If you are unable to reach us and have a serious dental emergency, please go to the nearest hospital emergency room or urgent care center.

Common After Hours Issues

If you experience a toothache after hours:

  1. Rinse your mouth with warm water.
  2. Gently floss to remove any trapped food.
  3. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling.
  4. Take over-the-counter pain relief medication as directed.
  5. Contact our emergency hotline if the pain persists.

If a tooth is knocked out:

  1. Handle the tooth by the crown (top), not the root.
  2. Rinse the tooth gently with water if it’s dirty. Do not scrub or remove any attached tissue fragments.
  3. Try to reinsert the tooth into the socket. If that’s not possible, place it in a container of milk or saline solution.
  4. Contact our emergency hotline at [Emergency Phone Number] immediately. Time is critical for saving the tooth.

If you chip or break a tooth:

  1. Rinse your mouth with warm water.
  2. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling.
  3. Save any broken pieces of the tooth, if possible.
  4. Contact our emergency hotline at [Emergency Phone Number] to schedule an emergency appointment.

For pain relief after hours, you can:

  1. Take over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
  2. Apply a cold compress to the affected area to reduce swelling and numb the pain.
  3. Avoid hot or cold foods and beverages that might trigger sensitivity.

Over-the-counter dental products like oral analgesics (e.g., Orajel) can provide temporary relief. However, these should not replace professional dental care. Contact our office as soon as possible to address the underlying issue.

 

If your temporary crown or filling comes out:

  1. Avoid eating on the affected side of your mouth.
  2. Use dental cement from a drugstore to temporarily reattach the crown if possible. Toothpaste also works in a pinch! 
  3. Contact our office to schedule a repair appointment.