What Counts as a Dental Emergency in Hartford?

True Emergencies (Call Us Now)

Knocked-Out Tooth

You have 60 minutes to save it. Pick up the tooth by the crown. Don't touch the root. Rinse gently with milk or saline. Place it back in the socket if possible. If not, store in milk or between your cheek and gum.

Call (860) 555-0147 immediately. We reserve slots for knocked-out teeth. Success rate drops 50% after two hours.

Severe Pain That Won't Stop

Throbbing pain that keeps you awake. Swelling in your gum or face. Fever over 100°F. These signal infection. Left untreated, bacteria spread to your jaw or bloodstream.

Take ibuprofen for pain. Apply cold compress. Call us for same-day care. We'll prescribe antibiotics and drain the abscess if needed.

Broken Tooth with Sharp Edges

A chip that cuts your tongue or cheek. Exposed nerve causing sharp pain. Cover the edge with dental wax or sugar-free gum. Avoid hot and cold foods.

We can smooth the edge or place a temporary filling same-day. Permanent repair happens at a follow-up visit.

Urgent But Can Wait 24 Hours

Lost Crown or Filling

Clean the crown. Apply denture adhesive or toothpaste inside. Press it back onto your tooth. This buys you time.

For a lost filling, cover the cavity with temporary dental cement from CVS or Walgreens. Hartford locations stock Dentemp. Schedule an appointment within two days.

Broken Braces Wire

Push the wire flat with a pencil eraser. Cover sharp ends with orthodontic wax. If the wire pokes through your cheek, call your orthodontist first. We can clip it if they're unavailable.

Something Stuck Between Teeth

Try floss first. Use a water flosser if you have one. Never use a knife, pin, or other sharp object. You'll damage your gum.

If floss doesn't work, call us. We have tools to remove debris safely.

Not Emergencies (Schedule Regular Appointment)

• Dull toothache that comes and goes
• Small chip with no pain
• Mild sensitivity to cold
• Food consistently stuck in one spot (sign you need a filling)
• Bleeding gums when you brush

Hartford After-Hours Care

We're open Monday through Friday. If you have an emergency on Saturday or Sunday, go to Hartford Hospital's ER at 80 Seymour Street. They have an on-call dentist for trauma cases.

For severe pain after hours, call our office. The voicemail has Dr. Chen's emergency line. She returns calls within 30 minutes.

Prevention Tips

Wear a mouthguard for sports. Don't chew ice or hard candy. Use scissors, not your teeth, to open packages. These simple steps prevent 80% of dental emergencies.