A sudden toothache or broken tooth can make it hard to know what to do first. Start by considering your symptoms, then contact the appropriate service. Do not assume that every dental problem can safely wait for the next routine appointment.
When medical emergency care comes first
Difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly spreading swelling, or a serious facial injury needs emergency medical assessment. Call emergency services when necessary. Waiting for a dental office to reopen is not appropriate for these symptoms.
When to call a dentist promptly
Call about significant or persistent tooth pain, dental swelling, a broken tooth, or a loose restoration that is causing a problem. Explain when symptoms started, any fever or injury, and relevant medical conditions. The team can advise about the next step and appointment availability.
Do not place aspirin directly on the tooth or gums. Ask a clinician or pharmacist about pain relief appropriate for your health and medications. Pain medicine may help symptoms but does not establish or treat the cause.
If a permanent tooth is knocked out
Act quickly. Hold the tooth by the crown—the part normally visible in the mouth—not the root. Do not scrub it. If it cannot be safely repositioned, keep it moist in milk or an appropriate tooth-preservation solution and seek immediate dental care. Do not let it dry out. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be replanted.
If there are other injuries or uncertainty about what happened, get professional guidance immediately. Do not store a tooth loosely in the mouth where it could be swallowed or inhaled.
What an urgent appointment may involve
The first goal is to assess the problem and discuss appropriate care. An examination and imaging may be needed. Treatment might involve a repair, treatment of an infected tooth, or another approach. Antibiotics are not the answer to every toothache, and completing all treatment in one visit is not always possible.
Reaching Icónica
Call (305) 426-6422 for availability and describe your symptoms. See our emergency dentistry page for practice information. Selected Sundays are 9 AM–3 PM, with availability confirmed by phone; this is not a 24-hour emergency service. If urgent care is needed while we are unavailable, seek another appropriate provider rather than waiting.