Emergency Dental Care When You Need It Most

Dental emergencies generally include situations causing severe pain, significant damage to teeth or soft tissues, or conditions that could worsen rapidly without treatment. Specific examples include: severe toothaches that prevent normal activities or disrupt sleep; teeth that have been knocked out, loosened, or fractured; abscesses or infections with facial swelling or fever; soft tissue injuries with significant bleeding; and lost or broken restorations (fillings or crowns) that cause pain or sharp edges. If you're unsure whether your situation constitutes an emergency, we encourage you to call our office. Our knowledgeable team can help assess the urgency of your condition and schedule an appropriate appointment.

If your tooth is knocked out, time is critical—try to see a dentist within 30-60 minutes for the best chance of saving it. Handle the tooth only by the crown (the part normally visible in the mouth), not the roots. Gently rinse it with water if dirty, but don't scrub or remove any attached tissue fragments. Try to reinsert the tooth into its socket if possible, holding it in place with gentle pressure or by biting on a clean cloth. If reinsertion isn't possible, keep the tooth moist by placing it in milk, a tooth preservation product, or tucked inside your cheek if you're an adult. Avoid storing it in regular water. Call our office immediately at 414-246-7024 for emergency treatment.

We make every effort to see emergency patients the same day they call when the situation occurs during regular business hours. The specific timing depends on the nature of your emergency and our current schedule, but we prioritize patients in severe pain or with time-sensitive conditions (such as knocked-out teeth). When you call with an emergency, our staff will ask questions to assess the severity of your situation and schedule you accordingly. For after-hours emergencies, our answering service will provide information on how to reach Dr. Kaur or the on-call dentist for guidance until in-office treatment can be arranged.

While waiting for your emergency appointment, several at-home measures may help manage dental pain: take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen according to package directions (avoid aspirin for dental pain, as it can increase bleeding); apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off to reduce swelling; rinse gently with warm salt water (½ teaspoon salt in 8 ounces water) to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria; use dental anesthetic gels containing benzocaine for temporary numbing. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gums or tooth, as this can cause tissue damage. If pain is severe or accompanied by fever, facial swelling, or difficulty swallowing, seek immediate care.

Most dental insurance plans provide some coverage for emergency dental services, particularly when they're deemed medically necessary to alleviate pain, address infection, or treat traumatic injuries. The specific coverage depends on your individual plan, including deductibles and annual maximums. Our office staff can help verify your benefits and provide an estimate of potential out-of-pocket costs when you call with an emergency. For patients without insurance or with limited coverage, we accept various payment methods and can discuss financing options to ensure you receive the care you need without delay. Remember that postponing necessary emergency treatment often leads to more extensive and expensive problems.