Dental Emergencies in New Castle County: What to Do and When to Call

Dental emergencies don't pick convenient hours. They happen at soccer games, in the middle of dinner, and on a Sunday night the day before a big meeting. Here's a practical, calm guide to the most common situations and how to handle each one before — and after — you reach us.

Severe toothache

Rinse with warm salt water. Gently floss around the tooth to make sure nothing's stuck. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed. Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek for swelling. Call our office; if pain is severe or you have swelling, we'll do our best to see you the same day.

Knocked-out (avulsed) tooth

This is the one where minutes matter. Pick the tooth up by the crown (the chewing surface), not the root. Rinse it gently with water if it's dirty — don't scrub it. If you can, place it back into the socket and bite down on a clean cloth. If that's not possible, store the tooth in milk or a tooth-preservation solution. Then head straight to a dentist. The best chance to save the tooth is within an hour.

Broken or chipped tooth

Save any pieces you can find. Rinse your mouth with warm water. Apply gauze to any bleeding. Cold compress for swelling. Call us — same-day visits are common for fractures, especially if the inner pulp is exposed.

Lost filling or crown

If a crown comes off and you have it, you can sometimes slip it back over the tooth temporarily — dab the inside with denture adhesive or temporary dental cement from a pharmacy. Do not use household glue. Call us to schedule a same-week visit.

Abscess (gum infection)

A dental abscess looks like a pimple on the gum, often near a sore tooth. It can come with swelling, fever, or a bad taste. This is a real medical issue — call us immediately. If swelling is spreading to your face or neck, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to an emergency room first.

Bitten lip or tongue

Clean the area with water. Apply gentle pressure with gauze to stop bleeding. Cold compress for swelling. If bleeding doesn't stop after about 15 minutes, or the cut is deep, head to an emergency room.

When to call us vs. when to go to the ER

• Call us: toothache, broken tooth, lost crown, abscess without spreading swelling, lost filling, mild trauma.
• Go to the ER: uncontrolled bleeding, swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, jaw fracture, or a head injury along with the dental injury.

Save these numbers

Delaware Star Dental: (302) 994-3093
5507 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington, DE 19808
Mon–Thu 8am–5pm · Fri 9am–1pm

If you've had a dental injury after hours, leave a clear message — Dr. Syed makes a habit of returning emergency calls as soon as possible. For most New Castle County families, we're a 5–15 minute drive away.