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If this is life-threatening

Call 911 or go to the nearest ER for facial swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or trauma to the head. A spreading dental infection can be a medical emergency.

Emergency dentist in Brooklyn: what to do now

A knocked-out tooth, a screaming toothache at 2am, a cracked molar from a bagel — dental emergencies always seem to happen at the worst time. Here's exactly what to do for the most common ones, and how to get urgent care in Brooklyn.

Q

What should I do in a dental emergency?

In a dental emergency, act fast and call a dentist the same day. For a knocked-out adult tooth, pick it up by the crown (not the root), gently rinse it, and try to reinsert it into the socket; if you can't, keep it in milk or saliva and see a dentist within 30–60 minutes for the best chance of saving it. For severe toothache, rinse with warm salt water, take over-the-counter ibuprofen, and use a cold compress on the cheek — but pain with facial swelling or fever may signal an abscess that needs urgent antibiotics and drainage. For a broken or chipped tooth, save any pieces, rinse, and protect the tooth. Call an emergency dentist immediately; if there's significant facial swelling affecting breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or head trauma, go to the ER or call 911.

Knocked-out tooth (avulsed tooth)

This is the most time-sensitive dental emergency. For a permanent (adult) tooth, you may have under an hour to save it:

  • Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part) — never touch the root.
  • If it's dirty, rinse it gently with milk or saline for a few seconds. Don't scrub.
  • Try to place it back in the socket and bite gently on gauze to hold it.
  • If you can't reinsert it, keep it moist in milk, in saliva (inside your cheek if safe), or in a tooth-preservation kit. Do not store it in plain water.
  • Get to a dentist within 30–60 minutes.

For a baby tooth, do not reinsert it — call your pediatric dentist for guidance.

Severe toothache

A persistent, throbbing toothache often means decay has reached the nerve, or there's an infection. While you arrange care:

  • Rinse with warm salt water and floss gently to remove any trapped food.
  • Take over-the-counter pain relief (ibuprofen works well for dental pain).
  • Apply a cold compress to your cheek, 15 minutes on, 15 off.
  • Don't put aspirin directly on the gum — it can burn the tissue.

Toothache with fever, a bad taste, or swelling in your face or jaw can indicate an abscess — see a dentist urgently, as infections can spread.

Dental abscess (infection)

An abscess is a pocket of pus from a bacterial infection, usually painful and sometimes with swelling, fever, or a pimple-like bump on the gum. This is not something to wait out. You typically need a dentist to drain it and prescribe antibiotics, followed by a root canal or extraction. Swelling that affects your breathing or swallowing is an emergency — go to the ER.

Broken, chipped or cracked tooth

  • Save any broken pieces and rinse your mouth with warm water.
  • Use gauze on any bleeding; apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
  • Cover a sharp edge with dental wax or sugarless gum to protect your cheek and tongue.
  • See a dentist promptly — a cracked tooth can worsen fast.

Lost filling or crown

Usually urgent-ish rather than an emergency. Keep the crown if you have it, avoid chewing on that side, and you can temporarily reseat a crown with over-the-counter dental cement from a pharmacy. Book a repair within a few days.

How to find emergency dental care in Brooklyn

  1. Call your own dentist first. Many offices reserve same-day slots for emergencies and have an after-hours line.
  2. Search "emergency dentist Brooklyn open now." Some practices offer evening and weekend urgent care.
  3. Hospital dental clinics and FQHCs handle urgent cases and accept Medicaid and uninsured patients.
  4. Hospital ER for severe swelling, trauma, or uncontrolled bleeding — they can manage pain and infection and refer you, though they can't usually do dental repairs.

What emergency dental care costs

An emergency exam and X-ray typically runs $100–$250, plus the cost of treatment — a simple extraction ($150–$400), a root canal ($900–$1,800), or temporary measures. If you're uninsured, ask about payment plans or CareCredit on the spot; see our no-insurance options. Prevent future emergencies with regular checkups — find the right office in our guide to finding a dentist.