---
title: "Dental emergencies: what to do about pain or a blow"
description: "Intense pain, a broken tooth or a blow: what to do in a dental emergency and when to seek care immediately. A guide by Smile Experts, Polanco, Mexico City."
canonical: https://smileexperts.mx/blog-urgencias-dentales-en.html
og_image: https://smileexperts.mx/img/case1.jpg
language: en
last_modified: 2026-09-18
crawl_date: 2026-09-19
author: Equipo clínico de Smile Experts
publisher: Smile Experts
---

Emergencies

# Dental emergencies: what to do about pain or a blow

By the Smile Experts clinical team · September 18, 2026 · 4 min read

![Dental emergency care at Smile Experts](img/case1.webp)

A dental emergency well handled in the first hours can save a tooth. These are the **first steps** for the most common situations and when you must seek care immediately.

## Intense toothache

Rinse with warm water, use floss carefully to remove debris and take an over-the-counter pain reliever if needed. **Don't apply aspirin directly on the gum.** Book an appointment as soon as possible: intense pain usually indicates deep decay or infection.

## Broken or chipped tooth

Save the fragments, rinse your mouth and apply cold on the outside to reduce swelling. Come in soon; many fractures can be restored if treated in time.

## A tooth knocked out by a blow

It's the most time-sensitive emergency. Hold the tooth by the crown (not the root), rinse it gently without scrubbing and, if you can, put it back in place or keep it in milk. **Come in within the first hour.**

## Abscess or swelling

A bump with pus, fever or facial swelling is a sign of infection that needs prompt care. Don't let it pass.

> For any strong blow, bleeding that won't stop or uncontrollable pain, seek care immediately.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do you handle emergencies the same day?

Yes. At Smile Experts we prioritize emergencies based on availability. Message us on WhatsApp or call us.

### Can I wait a few days if the pain eases?

Not advisable. Pain easing doesn't mean the problem is solved; often the infection keeps advancing.

### Is it an emergency?

Message us on WhatsApp and we'll prioritize you to see you as soon as possible.

[Book appointment](https://smile-experts.reservalacita.com/)

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","@id":"https://smileexperts.mx/blog-urgencias-dentales-en.html#article","headline":"Dental emergencies: what to do about pain or a blow","description":"First steps in a dental emergency and when to seek care immediately.","image":"https://smileexperts.mx/img/case1.jpg","author":{"@id":"https://smileexperts.mx/#organization"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://smileexperts.mx/#organization"},"datePublished":"2026-09-18","dateModified":"2026-09-18","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://smileexperts.mx/#website"},"mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://smileexperts.mx/blog-urgencias-dentales-en.html#webpage","url":"https://smileexperts.mx/blog-urgencias-dentales-en.html"},"speakable":{"@type":"SpeakableSpecification","cssSelector":["h1",".art-lead"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://smileexperts.mx/index-en.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Guides","item":"https://smileexperts.mx/consejos-en.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Dental emergencies"}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Do you handle emergencies the same day?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. At Smile Experts we prioritize emergencies based on availability. Message us on WhatsApp or call us."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I wait a few days if the pain eases?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Not advisable. Pain easing doesn't mean the problem is solved; often the infection keeps advancing."}}]}]}
```