Emergency guide

What counts as a dental emergency?

1 min read · Patient guide

If you’re unsure, call Legacy Dental Arts in Eagle River to describe your symptoms and confirm availability. Learn which concerns need urgent attention and what you can do while arranging care.

Request a visit →Call (907) 622-7874 ↗

Eagle River practice • serving patients since 2007

Patient guidance from the Legacy team

Patient resource

Use this guide to prepare better questions—then call us with them.

Request a visit →Call (907) 622-7874 ↗

Call the same day

A knocked-out permanent tooth — handle the crown, keep it moist in milk or a tooth-preservation solution, and seek immediate dental care. Do not reinsert a baby tooth
Severe or worsening toothache, especially with swelling
An abscess (a painful pimple-like swelling on the gum) — infections can spread
A broken tooth with pain or a sharp edge
A lost crown or filling exposing sensitive tooth
Injury to the jaw or face (call 911 for serious trauma)

Other concerns to discuss with a dentist

A small chip without pain
Mild sensitivity
A lost temporary crown
Food stuck that flossing won’t remove

What to do right now

Rinse gently with warm water, avoid chewing on the affected area, and contact a dentist. Do not put aspirin on the tooth or gums. Trouble breathing or swallowing, serious injury, or uncontrolled bleeding requires emergency medical care: call 911.

General patient education from Legacy Dental Arts · Published August 28, 2026 · Updated November 1, 2026 · Not a diagnosis or substitute for individual dental advice.

Helpful questions

Clear answers before you reach out.

How quickly can I be seen?+

Call to confirm availability and describe what is happening. An online request does not reserve an emergency appointment.

What should I do with a knocked-out tooth?+

A knocked-out permanent tooth needs immediate dental attention. Handle it by the crown and keep it moist in milk or a tooth-preservation solution. Do not reinsert a baby tooth or wait for an online response.

Can a chipped tooth wait until tomorrow?+

Call a dentist to describe the damage, even if it does not hurt. Pain, swelling, or a loose tooth needs prompt assessment; an examination determines the appropriate timing and treatment.

Should I go to the emergency room instead?+

For trouble breathing or swallowing, serious facial injury, or uncontrolled bleeding, call 911 or seek emergency medical care. Other urgent dental symptoms need prompt dental attention.

If you’re not sure

Call and describe it.

Tell Legacy’s Eagle River team what happened and when. Call to confirm availability and the appropriate next step.

Call (907) 622-7874 →Emergency dentist in Eagle River →