A dental emergency is stressful — pain is intense, the situation feels urgent, and you may not know where to turn. This guide covers exactly what to do for the most common dental emergencies in Broward County, and how to get same-day care across Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs and all 20 Broward cities.

Step 1: Determine If It's a Dental Emergency or an ER Emergency

Go to the emergency room if: You have significant facial swelling with difficulty breathing or swallowing, a broken jaw, uncontrolled bleeding that won't stop after 20 minutes of pressure, or signs of infection spreading to your neck or eye.

See an emergency dentist if: You have a severe toothache, cracked or broken tooth, knocked-out tooth, lost filling or crown, dental abscess, or soft tissue injury inside your mouth.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies in Broward

Severe Toothache

What to do: Rinse with warm salt water. Take over-the-counter pain medication (ibuprofen is typically more effective than acetaminophen for dental pain). Do NOT place aspirin directly on the tooth — this can burn gum tissue. Call for a same-day appointment immediately.

What it might mean: Advanced decay reaching the nerve, an abscess, or a cracked tooth. Time-sensitive — infections can spread.

Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Tooth

What to do: Pick up the tooth by the crown (white part), NOT the root. Rinse gently with water if dirty — do not scrub. Place it back in the socket if possible, or store it in milk or your own saliva. Get to an emergency dentist within 30 minutes. Every minute counts for reimplantation success.

Do NOT: Wrap it in a dry paper towel or let it dry out. This kills the cells needed for reimplantation.

Broken or Chipped Tooth

What to do: Save any broken pieces in a small container of milk or saliva. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water. Apply dental wax or sugarless gum over any sharp edges to protect your tongue. Call for same-day care.

Lost Filling or Crown

What to do: Temporary dental cement (available at Walgreens, CVS, Publix in Broward) can protect the tooth until you see your dentist. Keep it clean. Avoid very hot, cold, or hard foods on that side.

Dental Abscess

What to do: Rinse with a mild salt water solution several times a day to draw out some of the infection. Call for emergency dental care today — do not wait. Abscesses are bacterial infections that can spread to your jaw, neck, or even become life-threatening.

Signs of an abscess: Severe toothache, sensitivity to hot and cold, fever, swollen lymph nodes in your neck, a pimple-like bump on your gum.

Emergency Dentist Costs in Broward County

  • Emergency exam: $75–$200
  • Dental X-rays: $50–$150
  • Tooth extraction: $150–$400
  • Root canal (emergency): $700–$1,500
  • Temporary crown placement: $250–$500

Most Broward emergency dentists accept all major insurance plans. Medicaid covers emergency procedures for eligible patients. Many practices offer payment plans.

Getting Same-Day Emergency Dental Care in Broward

Our emergency dental directory covers all 20 Broward cities including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Miramar, Pompano Beach and more. Submit our referral form, mark your need as "Emergency / Toothache," and a local dentist will contact you from an available Broward dentist as fast as possible.