Emergency Care at Velux Dental SLC: What to Do First

Dental emergencies are stressful because they often come out of nowhere. A tooth starts throbbing at night. A crown falls off right before an event. A tooth cracks during dinner. In those moments, the biggest relief is knowing two things: what to do right now and what treatment can actually fix the problem—not just “mask it.”

Emergency dentistry is built for that. The goal is to relieve pain, diagnose the cause, and stabilize the tooth or tissues so the problem doesn’t snowball.

What Counts As A Dental Emergency?

Some symptoms can wait. Others shouldn’t. If you’re dealing with any of the following, it’s time to call:

• Severe toothache (especially throbbing or persistent pain)
• Swelling in the gums, face, or jaw
• Broken, cracked, or chipped tooth with sensitivity or pain on biting
• Knocked-out tooth
• Lost crown or filling (exposed tooth structure can be vulnerable)
• Bleeding or cuts in the mouth that don’t settle
• Signs of infection (bad taste, drainage, gum bump, or increasing pressure)

Emergency visits can include treatments such as same-day crowns, root canals, extractions, fillings, and soft tissue repair (for injuries to gums, tongue, cheeks, or lips). The important point: emergency care isn’t only “diagnosis.” It can often include real same-day treatment when appropriate.

What To Do Right Now (Before You Come In)

If A Tooth Is Knocked Out

Time matters. A knocked-out tooth is one of the most time-sensitive dental emergencies. Here’s what to do immediately:

• Keep the tooth moist at all times
• Try to place it back in the socket without touching the root
• If you can’t reinsert it, place it in milk or a saline solution
• Get seen immediately

These steps help protect the cells on the root surface, which can improve the chances of saving the tooth.

If You Have A Severe Toothache

While you’re getting scheduled:

• Rinse gently with warm water
• Use dental floss to remove any trapped food
• Apply a cold compress to the cheek if swelling is present
• Use over-the-counter pain relievers as directed

This can reduce inflammation and keep discomfort manageable—but the real fix comes from treating the cause.

If A Crown Comes Off

Save the crown if you have it. Avoid chewing on that side. A lost crown is urgent because the tooth underneath may be vulnerable to sensitivity and additional damage.

If A Tooth Breaks Or Cracks

Avoid chewing on that side and call promptly. For many cracked or structurally compromised teeth, a same-day restoration can stabilize the tooth quickly.

What Happens During An Emergency Visit (So You Know What To Expect)

1) Triage And Focused Questions

We’ll ask about the pain, triggers (cold, heat, biting), swelling, trauma, and timing. That helps us prepare for the most likely treatment paths before you arrive.

2) Exam And Imaging

Tooth pain can come from many sources—deep decay, cracked enamel, infection inside the tooth, gum problems, or bite trauma. Imaging and testing help pinpoint the true cause so treatment is targeted.

3) Get Comfortable First

Emergency dentistry starts with comfort. That can include local anesthesia and other supportive measures so you can relax and we can work efficiently.

4) Treat Or Stabilize

Depending on diagnosis, same-day treatment may include:

• A filling to seal exposed or decayed areas
• A same-day crown to protect a cracked or failing tooth
• A root canal when infection is inside the tooth
• An extraction when saving the tooth isn’t predictable
• Soft tissue repair for injuries in the mouth

Sometimes the first visit is stabilization and the next step is a planned follow-up. Either way, you should leave with a clear roadmap.

5) Clear Next Steps

Emergency dentistry should never feel confusing. You’ll leave knowing:

• what caused the problem
• what was done today
• what still needs to happen
• how to care for the area at home
• what symptoms should trigger a call

Why Same-Day Crowns Matter During Emergencies

Same-day crowns are especially helpful in emergency care because a crown can be both a repair and a protective barrier. If a tooth is cracked, heavily filled, or breaking down, stabilizing it quickly can reduce pain and lower the risk of further fracture.

Waiting with a vulnerable tooth can allow cracks to spread or bacteria to reach deeper structures. A same-day crown can reduce that “waiting window” and help you return to normal chewing sooner.

Common Emergency Scenarios (And The Typical Fix)

Cracked Tooth Pain

Often described as sharp pain when biting or releasing a bite. If the tooth is restorable, stabilizing it—frequently with a crown—can protect the tooth and reduce symptoms.

Infection Or Abscess

Swelling, pressure, throbbing, a bad taste, or a gum bump can signal infection. Treatment depends on where the infection is located. A root canal may be used to clean infection from inside a tooth. If the tooth can’t be saved predictably, extraction may be the healthier choice.

Lost Crown

Sometimes the crown can be recemented; other times, the tooth underneath needs rebuilding or a new restoration plan.

Soft Tissue Injury

Cuts to the cheek, tongue, gum, or lip sometimes need repair—especially if bleeding persists or the injury affects function.

What Not To Do During A Dental Emergency

• Don’t place aspirin directly on gums (it can irritate tissue)
• Don’t ignore swelling that is spreading
• Don’t keep chewing on a broken tooth “until it’s convenient”
• Don’t assume antibiotics alone solve the source of the problem (definitive treatment is usually required)

How To Reduce Emergency Risk Over Time

Emergencies often start as small problems: a tiny crack, a leaking filling, early decay, or bite wear from grinding. Preventive strategies that help include:

• routine exams so cracks and failing restorations are caught early
• addressing sensitivity early rather than waiting for pain spikes
• protecting teeth if you clench or grind
• stabilizing compromised teeth before they fracture

Your Next Step

Dental emergencies are stressful—but they’re usually solvable quickly with the right plan. The best next step is simple: call, get evaluated, and stabilize the problem so it doesn’t escalate.

Need same-day emergency help? Contact Velux Dental SLC at (801) 797-3363 to Call Us Today and get fast relief with a clear treatment plan.