Emergency Dentistry In Salt Lake City: What To Do, Who To Call, And How We Help

BY Velux Dental

Dental emergencies don’t wait for calendar openings. A cracked molar on Saturday, a knocked-out tooth on the soccer field, or a throbbing toothache at 2 a.m. each demands swift action. This practical guide explains exactly what to do in the first critical minutes, which problems can and can’t wait, and how our Salt Lake City team triages, treats, and relieves pain on the same day whenever possible.

What Counts As A Dental Emergency?

Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Tooth: Time-sensitive; best outcomes within 30–60 minutes.
Severe Toothache Or Abscess: Facial swelling, fever, or a pimple-like bump on the gums needs prompt care.
Cracked Or Fractured Tooth: Especially if painful when biting or sensitive to temperature.
Lost Crown Or Filling: Exposed dentin can trigger pain and bacteria.
Bleeding Or Trauma: Lacerations to the lips, cheeks, or tongue; uncontrolled bleeding requires ER coordination.
Broken Denture Or Appliance: Function and speech matter—repairs or temporary fixes can often be done same day.

First Aid For The Big Three

1) A Knocked-Out Adult Tooth

Find The Tooth And Hold It By The Crown (Not The Root).
Gently Rinse with water if visibly dirty—no scrubbing.
Reinsert Into The Socket if you can; bite gently on gauze to hold it.
If You Can’t Reinsert, place it in cold milk or an emergency tooth preservation kit.
Call Us Immediately and head to the office—minutes matter for reimplantation success.

2) A Cracked Or Broken Tooth

Rinse With Warm Water and apply a cold compress for swelling.
Avoid Chewing On That Side.
Over-The-Counter Pain Relief can help until you’re seen.
Call For Same-Day Care. Many fractured cusps are ideal for same-day crowns to restore strength fast.

3) Sudden Toothache Or Swelling

Rinse, Then Gently Floss to remove trapped food.
Don’t Apply Aspirin To The Tooth Or Gums. It can burn tissue.
Call Us Promptly, especially with fever, swelling, or trouble swallowing—all red flags that need urgent evaluation.

What To Expect During Your Emergency Visit

Triage Call: Our team asks targeted questions to gauge severity and prepare the right room, materials, and clinician.
Comfort First: Local anesthesia and, when helpful, nitrous oxide or oral sedation to reduce anxiety.
Focused Diagnostics: Digital X-rays, 3D imaging when indicated, and bite tests pinpoint the source.
Immediate Relief: Drainage of abscesses, medication, smoothing sharp edges, temporary or definitive restorations.
Plan & Prevention: A clear next-step plan with timelines, costs, and home care.

Common Emergency Treatments

Root Canal Therapy: Removes infection and pain while saving the tooth.
Same-Day Crowns: Restore broken teeth without a second visit.
Tooth Extraction: When a tooth can’t be predictably saved; replacement options reviewed immediately.
Reimplantation & Splinting: For knocked-out teeth caught in time.
Bonding/Onlays: Repair chips and fractures conservatively.
Antibiotics & Rinses: Adjuncts for spreading infections—paired with definitive treatment.

Pain Control You Can Trust

We use modern local anesthetics, buffered for comfort, and tailor sedation to your needs. Clear aftercare instructions, prescriptions when indicated, and a follow-up check give you confidence that pain relief will last beyond the chair.

Prevention You’ll Actually Use

Nightguard For Clenching: Protects enamel and restorations from microfractures.
Mouthguards For Sports: Custom guards fit better and are worn more consistently than boil-and-bite versions.
Regular Cleanings & Exams: Small cracks and failing fillings are easier (and cheaper) to fix before they become emergencies.
Travel Kit: A mini case with wax, floss, OTC pain reliever, and our phone numbers keeps you prepared.

Pediatric Emergencies: Special Notes

For baby teeth that are knocked out, do not reinsert. Control bleeding with gauze, apply a cold compress, and call us. For permanent teeth in older kids, follow the adult protocol above and come in immediately.

Your Next Step

Need urgent relief? Contact Velux Dental SLC at (801) 797-3363 (Salt Lake City) to Call Us Today for same-day emergency care.

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