What to Do If You Have a Dental Emergency Over the Holidays

The holidays are one of the busiest—and most joyful—times of the year. But a dental emergency can quickly turn celebrations into stress. Whether you’re enjoying festive treats, traveling to see family, or hosting gatherings, an unexpected dental issue can strike at any time. At Loganville Dental, we understand how disruptive and painful dental emergencies can be, especially during the holiday season. That’s why our Loganville, GA, dental team is here to provide expert advice and urgent care options when you need them most.

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any condition that requires immediate attention to relieve pain, stop bleeding, or prevent further damage. If you’re unsure whether your situation is an emergency, it’s best to call your dentist right away. Delaying treatment can often make the problem worse—and more expensive to fix later.

Common dental emergencies include:

• Severe toothache or infection
• Cracked or broken teeth
• Knocked-out tooth (avulsed tooth)
• Lost fillings or crowns
• Swelling of the face or gums
• Uncontrolled bleeding after trauma

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), dental emergencies account for millions of emergency room visits every year, especially during holiday seasons when regular offices are closed or schedules are limited.

Cracked or Chipped Teeth

Cracked or chipped teeth are among the most common dental emergencies—especially after biting into hard holiday foods like nuts, candy canes, or caramel. If you crack or chip a tooth:

• Rinse your mouth gently with warm water.
• Save any tooth fragments and store them in milk if possible.
• Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
• Avoid chewing on that side until you see a dentist.

Even small cracks can worsen quickly, exposing the inner tooth structure to bacteria and infection. Our team at Loganville Dental, located conveniently off Highway 78 near downtown Loganville, can often restore cracked teeth with same-day bonding or a dental crown.

Lost Fillings or Crowns

If a filling or crown comes loose or falls out, it’s important to protect the exposed tooth as soon as possible.

• Try to replace the crown or filling temporarily using over-the-counter dental cement
• Avoid sticky or hard foods.
• Keep the area clean with gentle brushing and warm saltwater rinses.

Lost fillings and crowns expose sensitive tooth structures, leading to pain and possible infection. Contact our office right away so we can resecure or replace the restoration before further damage occurs.

Severe Tooth Pain

A persistent or severe toothache may be a sign of infection or decay that has reached the tooth’s nerve. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help temporarily, but it’s crucial to get an evaluation as soon as possible. If you experience swelling, fever, or a bad taste in your mouth, it may indicate a serious infection that requires prompt treatment, such as a root canal.

Our dentists offer same-day emergency appointments in Loganville to help relieve your pain quickly and prevent the infection from spreading.

Knocked-Out Tooth

If a tooth is knocked out—whether from a fall, accident, or sports injury—timing is everything. You have about 30 to 60 minutes to increase the chances of saving it.

Here’s what to do:

• Handle the tooth carefully—hold it by the crown (top), not the root.
• If possible, gently reinsert the tooth into its socket and hold it in place.
• If you can’t reinsert it, store it in milk or saline.
• Call Loganville Dental immediately or head to the nearest emergency dentist.

Quick, proper action can often save a knocked-out tooth and prevent the need for more extensive treatment later.

When to Seek Immediate Care

If you experience severe pain, swelling, fever, or bleeding, or if you suspect an infection, seek immediate dental care. In rare cases where swelling affects breathing or swallowing, go to the nearest emergency room, such as Piedmont Walton Hospital in Monroe, right away.

Loganville’s Trusted Emergency Dentist

At Loganville Dental, we take pride in providing prompt, compassionate care for patients throughout Loganville, Snellville, Monroe, and the greater Walton County area. Our experienced dental team is equipped to handle a wide range of emergencies—even during the busy holiday season.

Whether you’ve cracked a tooth on a candy cane or lost a crown after your holiday meal, our goal is to relieve your pain quickly and restore your smile with precision and care.

Don’t let a dental emergency ruin your holiday celebrations. Call Loganville Dental today for same-day emergency care and get back to smiling comfortably this season.