What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any situation involving severe pain, swelling, bleeding, or damage to a tooth that needs prompt attention to relieve discomfort and keep the problem from getting worse. At Carlson Family Dentistry & Implants in Littleton, CO, our team helps patients of all ages with urgent dental problems, from sudden toothaches to broken teeth and lost restorations.

Common dental emergencies include:

Severe or persistent toothache
Swelling in the gums, face, or jaw, which can signal an abscess or infection
Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth
A tooth that has been knocked loose or knocked out
Lost or loose fillings, crowns, or bridges
Broken or lost dentures, partials, or night guards
Ongoing pain or bleeding after a recent dental procedure

What Should I Do First If I Have a Dental Emergency?

Call our office right away. Describe your symptoms, and our team will tell you what to do next and arrange for you to be seen as soon as possible. Acting early often makes treatment simpler and gives you the best chance of protecting the tooth.

Our office is open Monday and Tuesday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Wednesday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. If your emergency happens when we are closed, or if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, bleeding that will not stop, or swelling that is spreading toward your eye or neck, go to the nearest emergency room.

How Do I Handle Common Dental Emergencies Until I Am Seen?

These steps can help keep you comfortable and protect your teeth while you are on your way to our office:

Toothache: Rinse gently with warm water, floss around the tooth to remove any trapped food, and hold a cold compress against your cheek. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gums, since it can irritate the tissue.
Cracked or broken tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water, save any pieces you can find, and use a cold compress to limit swelling.
Knocked-out tooth: Pick the tooth up by the crown (the chewing surface), not the root. Rinse it gently without scrubbing. If you can, place it back in the socket; otherwise keep it moist in a small container of milk. Call us immediately, because time matters.
Lost crown or filling: Keep the crown, avoid chewing on that side, and bring the crown with you.
Broken denture or night guard: Do not try to repair it with household glue. Bring all of the pieces with you.
Swelling or suspected infection: Do not wait it out. Swelling, fever, or a bad taste in your mouth can mean an infection that needs prompt care.

How Does Carlson Family Dentistry & Implants Treat Dental Emergencies?

Our first priority is relieving your pain and finding the cause. We start by listening to your symptoms and examining the area. When needed, we take a digital x-ray to see what is happening beneath the surface. From there, Dr. Grant Coleman and our team will explain your options before treatment begins. You can learn more about him on our About page.

Depending on the problem, treatment may include:

Restoring a tooth with a new dental filling after a lost or damaged filling
Protecting a cracked or weakened tooth with a dental crown
Treating an infected or severely painful tooth with a root canal
Performing a tooth extraction when a tooth cannot be saved
Prescribing antibiotics when an infection is present

If a tooth does need to be removed, we can talk with you about replacing it later with a dental bridge or dental implants. If dental visits make you nervous, ask about comfort options such as nitrous oxide sedation.

Who Do We Help With Urgent Dental Care Near Littleton?

Our office at 9859 W Coal Mine Ave serves patients from Littleton and nearby communities, including Highlands Ranch, Ken Caryl, Columbine, Lakewood, and Englewood. Whether the problem is a sudden toothache, a cracked tooth, or a lost crown, we are here to help you get out of pain and back to your routine.

How Can I Help Prevent Dental Emergencies?

Not every emergency can be avoided, but a few habits lower your risk:

Wear a custom mouth guard for contact sports and if you grind your teeth at night.
Avoid chewing ice, hard candy, pen caps, or anything else that can crack a tooth.
Keep up with regular exams and dental cleanings so small problems are caught before they become painful ones.
Have worn or damaged fillings and crowns checked early rather than waiting for them to fail.

Dental Emergency FAQs

Is a toothache a dental emergency?

It can be. Severe or persistent tooth pain, especially when it comes with swelling, fever, or a bad taste in your mouth, can point to an infection and should be evaluated promptly. Mild sensitivity that comes and goes is less urgent, but it is still worth having checked.

Should I go to the emergency room or call the dentist?

For problems involving a tooth, such as a toothache, a cracked or knocked-out tooth, or a lost crown, call our office first. Go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, bleeding that will not stop, a possible broken jaw, or swelling that is spreading to your eye or neck.

What should I do if my tooth gets knocked out?

Handle the tooth by the crown, rinse it gently, and try to place it back in the socket. If that is not possible, keep it moist in milk and call us right away. A knocked-out tooth has the best chance of being saved when it is treated as quickly as possible, ideally within an hour.

Can a lost crown or filling wait until my next appointment?

It is best not to wait. A tooth that has lost its crown or filling is exposed to sensitivity, decay, and further breakage. Call our office so we can protect the tooth before the damage gets worse.

Will I need a root canal or an extraction?

That depends on what we find during your exam and x-ray. Many teeth can be saved with a filling, crown, or root canal. If a tooth is too damaged to restore, we will explain why and walk you through your options for replacing it.

Are there payment options for unexpected dental care?

Yes. Our team can review your coverage and talk with you about payment choices. You can also read about financing options on our Patient Info page.

Get Help for a Dental Emergency in Littleton

If you are dealing with a toothache, a broken tooth, or any other dental emergency, call Carlson Family Dentistry & Implants at 303-932-6018, or request an appointment online. We are located at 9859 W Coal Mine Ave, Littleton, CO 80123.

Emergency Dentist in Littleton, CO