Whether your toothache is a dental emergency depends on the cause of the toothache, the extent of the pain, and whether over-the-counter pain medication helps with the pain. Toothaches from knocked-out or chipped teeth are dental emergencies. Toothaches that are caused by severe decay or infection can be debilitating, and should be addressed immediately.

First off, remain calm and collect the knocked-out tooth and all the fragments. Place the tooth and its fragments in container of cold milk or saliva before seeing the dentist. Keep the tooth clean, and avoid probing the empty socket with your tongue or finger.

Pain is characteristic of most dental emergencies and can sometimes feel unbearable. To manage this pain, you can use an over-the-counter anesthetic called benzocaine that provides immediate pain relief. Alternatively, you can try store-bought pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, although they may not be as effective as you’d want. Consider using a cold compress to help mitigate swelling and a warm water salt rinse to remove any tooth fragments or debris from your mouth.

You may get a dental emergency when you’re out of town or your regular dentist is simply unavailable. If this is the case, your best bet is to check the local directories for any dentist offering 24-hour emergency dental services.