Dental emergencies: what to do now, and who to call
Plain answers to the questions people type in the middle of a dental emergency, from a knocked-out tooth to swelling at night. Written by the Creative Arts dental team in Jumeirah, Dubai, open daily 10:00–20:00.
- 32 questions answered
Smiles made at Creative Arts
Designed in the clinic and made by hand in Creative Art Dental Lab, in the same building in Jumeirah, Dubai.
Is my problem a dental emergency?
How do I know if my tooth problem is a real dental emergency?
It is a dental emergency if you have severe pain that painkillers do not control, a knocked-out adult tooth, swelling of the gum or face, bleeding that does not stop after 30 minutes of firm pressure, or a broken tooth with a sharp edge or a pink spot in the middle. A small chip with no pain or a lost filling that does not hurt can usually wait a day or two. If unsure, call or send a photo on WhatsApp. Read the full page
When should I go to a hospital ER instead of an emergency dentist?
Go straight to a hospital emergency department if swelling spreads towards your eye, neck or under your jaw, if you find it hard to breathe or swallow, if you have a high fever with facial swelling, or after a hard blow to the face or jaw. A dental clinic cannot manage a threatened airway or a jaw fracture. Once you are safe, a dentist treats the tooth that caused the problem. Read the full page
Is a swollen cheek from a bad tooth dangerous?
It can be, because swelling usually means the infection has spread beyond the tooth into the surrounding tissue. A dentist should see it as soon as possible to drain the infection and treat the tooth, by root canal treatment or extraction. Antibiotics alone do not remove the cause. If the swelling is spreading quickly, closing your eye or making it hard to swallow or breathe, go to a hospital emergency department. Read the full page
Can a bad toothache wait until the dental clinic opens in the morning?
Usually yes, if there is no facial swelling, no fever and you can breathe and swallow normally. Take over-the-counter pain relief as the pack directs, sleep with your head raised and use a cold compress on the cheek. Creative Arts opens at 10:00 every day; call or WhatsApp when the clinic opens so the team can tell you when you can be seen. Read the full page
Why does my tooth throb more when I lie down at night?
Lying flat increases blood flow to the head, so pressure inside an inflamed tooth rises and the pain feels worse. Throbbing night pain often points to an inflamed or dying nerve or an abscess, which needs an examination and usually an X-ray. Depending on what is found, the tooth may need a filling, root canal treatment or, if it cannot be saved, an extraction. Read the full page
My toothache went away on its own, so do I still need a dentist?
Yes, in most cases. Pain that stops suddenly can mean the nerve inside the tooth has died, while the infection keeps working quietly and can later cause an abscess or swelling. A check with an X-ray shows whether the tooth needs a filling or root canal treatment now, which is usually simpler than treating a flare-up later. Read the full page
What should I do right now?
What should I do in the first hour after an adult tooth gets knocked out?
Pick the tooth up by the white crown, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it for a few seconds in milk or saline without scrubbing. If you can, push it gently back into the socket and bite on a clean cloth; if not, keep it in milk or in your own saliva. See a dentist as fast as you can, ideally within the hour, because the chance of saving it drops quickly. Read the full page
I broke a piece off my front tooth, what do I bring to the dentist?
Bring the broken piece, kept in milk or water so it does not dry out, because a clean fragment can sometimes be bonded back on. Rinse your mouth with warm water, hold a cold compress on the lip if it is swollen and cover any sharp edge with sugar-free gum. Avoid biting on the tooth until it has been checked, as there may be a crack you cannot see. Read the full page
Half of my back tooth broke off while eating, what now?
Back teeth usually break around a large old filling or after root canal treatment, and many can still be repaired. Depending on how much is left, the dentist may suggest a filling, an onlay or a crown; if the crack runs deep below the gum, extraction may be the safer option. Until then, chew on the other side and keep the area clean. Read the full page
My filling fell out but nothing hurts, how soon do I need to go?
A lost filling without pain is not usually urgent, but it should be replaced within a few days, because the open cavity traps food and the weakened wall can crack. A temporary filling kit from a pharmacy can protect it for a short time. If the tooth becomes sensitive or painful, or a large piece has broken away, book sooner. Read the full page
My crown came off in one piece, should I keep it?
Yes, keep it in a clean container and bring it with you. If the crown and the tooth underneath are intact, it can often be cleaned and cemented back on. Do not use superglue or household glue, which damages the tooth and the crown. If there is decay underneath or the crown is cracked, the dentist explains the options, including a new crown made in the lab. Read the full page
The socket is still bleeding hours after my tooth was pulled, what do I do?
A little pink saliva is normal for the first day. For active bleeding, fold clean gauze or a damp tea bag, place it on the socket and bite firmly for 30 minutes without checking. Sit upright and avoid rinsing, spitting and straws. If it is still bleeding steadily after two rounds, call the clinic that did the extraction; if bleeding is heavy and will not stop, go to a hospital emergency department. Read the full page
Which painkillers are safe to take while I wait for an emergency dentist?
Most adults can use over-the-counter paracetamol or ibuprofen at the dose on the pack, unless a doctor has told you to avoid them, for example with stomach ulcers, kidney problems, blood thinners or pregnancy. Ask a pharmacist if unsure. Never place aspirin on the gum, as it burns the tissue. Painkillers only buy time; the tooth still needs treatment. Read the full page
There is a small pimple on my gum next to a tooth, is it an abscess?
Often it is: a pimple or bubble on the gum is usually pus draining from an infected tooth or gum pocket. It may not hurt because the pressure is escaping, but the infection is still active and can flare up. Do not squeeze it. A dentist confirms the cause with an X-ray and treats it with root canal treatment, gum treatment or, if needed, extraction. Read the full page
How much does it cost and where can I go in Dubai?
How much does an emergency dental visit cost in Dubai?
There is no single emergency price, because the cost depends on what the tooth needs: a temporary filling, re-cementing a crown, starting a root canal or an extraction. At Creative Arts the first consultation is free, and the treatment is priced in your written, itemised plan after the examination, so you agree to the cost before anything is done. Read the full page
What hours is Creative Arts open for urgent dental problems?
Creative Arts is open every day, including weekends, from 10:00 to 20:00 at 614 Jumeira St, Jumeirah 3, Umm Suqeim 1. Call +971 4 342 4444 or WhatsApp +971 56 677 7537 and the team will tell you how soon you can be seen. The clinic does not offer an after-hours service; outside opening hours, go to a hospital emergency department for anything serious. Read the full page
Can I WhatsApp a photo of my broken tooth before coming in?
Yes. Creative Arts offers a free photo assessment on WhatsApp at +971 56 677 7537, and a clear photo with a short description helps the team judge how urgent the problem is and what to prepare. A photo cannot replace an examination or X-ray, so it is a first step, not a diagnosis. For severe pain or swelling, call the clinic rather than waiting for a reply. Read the full page
I am visiting Dubai on holiday and broke a tooth, can a clinic see me?
Yes, visitors are treated in the same way as residents. Bring your passport or ID, a list of any medicines you take and any recent dental records. The first aim is to make you comfortable and stable for the rest of your trip and your flight home, with a written summary of what was done so your own dentist can continue. Read the full page
Is it safe to fly home with a toothache?
Flying does not damage a tooth, but cabin pressure changes can make pain from an infected tooth, a cracked tooth or a leaking filling worse. If you have swelling, throbbing pain or a fever, get the tooth checked before you fly. After an extraction or other surgery, ask the dentist how long to wait; many advise at least a day or more depending on the procedure. Read the full page
I live in Sharjah or Abu Dhabi, can I come to Jumeirah for a dental emergency?
Yes, patients from other emirates come to the clinic for broken teeth, lost crowns, toothache and swelling that is not affecting breathing. Call or WhatsApp before you set off so the team knows you are coming and can tell you when you can be seen. Creative Arts has one clinic, in Jumeirah, Dubai. For severe swelling or difficulty breathing, go to the nearest hospital instead. Read the full page
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Who will treat me, and can I trust them?
Which dentists see emergency patients at Creative Arts?
Urgent toothache, broken teeth and lost fillings or crowns are usually seen by Dr. Iuliia Savitskaia and Dr. Marina Antoniuk, who both work with a dental microscope on root canal and restorative care. If the problem needs surgery, such as an impacted wisdom tooth, the case is planned with the clinic's oral surgery team. Each dentist's licence can be checked on the DHA Sheryan register. Read the full page
Will the emergency dentist just pull my tooth to stop the pain?
Not by default. Where the tooth can be saved, the first option is usually to keep it, for example with root canal treatment, which relieves the pain at the source. Extraction is discussed when the tooth is broken below the gum, badly infected or cannot be restored. You are told the options and their costs before you decide. Read the full page
How does the dentist decide if my cracked or broken tooth can be saved?
The dentist looks at where the crack ends and whether the nerve is involved, using an examination, bite tests and an X-ray. If the break stays above the gum line, the tooth can usually be restored with bonding, a filling or a crown, sometimes after root canal treatment. If it splits down into the root, extraction and a replacement such as an implant or bridge are discussed. Read the full page
How do I check that an emergency dentist in Dubai is properly licensed?
Every dentist practising in Dubai must hold a Dubai Health Authority licence, which you can look up by name on the DHA Sheryan public register. At Creative Arts each dentist's DHA professional ID is published on their profile. Patient reviews also help; the clinic is rated 4.8 on Google from 238 reviews. Read the full page
During and after emergency treatment
Will it hurt to fix a tooth that is already very painful?
Treatment is done under local anaesthetic, and most people feel pressure rather than pain. A badly inflamed tooth can be harder to numb, so the dentist may give extra anaesthetic, wait a little longer or relieve the pressure first. If you are very nervous, tell the team; options such as laughing gas can be discussed after a review of your medical history. Read the full page
Can a dental emergency be fully fixed in one visit?
Often the first visit relieves the pain and makes the tooth stable, for example with a temporary filling, draining an infection, starting root canal treatment or re-cementing a crown. The final work, such as completing a root canal or fitting a new crown, may need one or two more visits. Crowns are made in the dental lab in the same building and are not made on the same day. Read the full page
Can I go back to work straight after an emergency dental appointment?
Usually yes after a filling, a re-cemented crown or the first stage of a root canal, once you are comfortable; the numbness typically wears off within a few hours, so avoid hot drinks and chewing until it does. After a surgical extraction, or if you have swelling or had sedation, plan to rest for the rest of the day. Read the full page
The pain came back a few days after my emergency treatment, is that normal?
Some tenderness for a few days is common, especially after root canal treatment or an extraction, and usually settles with over-the-counter pain relief. Pain that gets worse instead of better, new swelling, a fever or a bad taste is not normal and should be checked. Creative Arts gives written aftercare and a review appointment, so contact the clinic if things are not improving. Read the full page
Special situations: children, pregnancy, braces and health conditions
Can I have emergency dental treatment while I am pregnant?
Yes. Treating pain and infection is generally safer for you and the baby than leaving them, and local anaesthetic is routinely used during pregnancy. Tell the dentist how many weeks pregnant you are and what medicines you take; X-rays are taken only when needed. Non-urgent work is often planned for the second trimester, but an emergency should not wait. Read the full page
My child's front tooth got knocked out, how do I know if it is a baby tooth?
Adult front teeth usually come through between about six and eight years of age, so a younger child has most likely lost a baby tooth. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be pushed back in, because it can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. An adult tooth should be replanted or kept in milk and seen urgently. In both cases, have the child checked. Read the full page
A wire from my braces is stabbing my cheek at the weekend, what can I do?
Cover the end of the wire with orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum, or gently push it flat with the back of a clean spoon or a cotton bud. Rinse with warm salt water if the cheek is sore. Creative Arts is open on weekends from 10:00 to 20:00, so call or WhatsApp to have the wire trimmed. Do not cut it yourself. Read the full page
I have diabetes and my gum is swelling, is that more urgent?
It is worth acting sooner. Diabetes can slow healing and make infections spread faster, and an infection can also push blood sugar up. Contact a dentist early, keep checking your sugar levels and tell the dentist about your medicines. If you develop a fever, spreading facial swelling or difficulty swallowing or breathing, go to a hospital emergency department. Read the full page
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