In pain right now?
We’re here and we can help.

Ridge Oral Surgery provides immediate, compassionate care for dental emergencies – from severe pain and swelling to trauma and infection. Board-certified surgeons. Advanced imaging.
Gentle sedation.

Talk to a real person

Our friendly team is here to answer your questions.

symptom guide

Is this a dental emergency

If you’re experiencing any of these, don’t wait. Call us and we’ll help you decide the fastest path to relief.

Severe Tooth Pain

Persistent, throbbing pain that won’t let up could signal infection or nerve damage – don’t wait it out, call us.

Facial Swelling

Swelling in the face or jaw can point to a spreading infection and needs same-day evaluation by a surgeon.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Every minute counts – keep the tooth moist in milk or saliva and get to us within 30 minutes to give it the best chance.

Broken or Cracked Tooth

Save any broken pieces, rinse gently, and see us right away – quick care can often save the tooth.

Jaw Injury

Pain, swelling, or difficulty opening your jaw after an impact needs urgent attention from an oral surgeon, not a wait-and-see approach.

Oral Infection

Never try to drain an abscess yourself – infections can spread fast and require immediate surgical care.

Uncontrolled Bledding

If firm gauze pressure for 30 minutes doesn’t stop the bleeding, call us immediately.

Post-op Concerns

Unexpected pain, swelling, or bleeding after your procedure? Reach out – we’re on call 24/7 for our patients.

Talk to a real person now – we’ll get you in today.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Our team is standing by to answer
your questions and schedule immediate care.

first aid

What should i do right now?

Follow these first aid steps to ease pain and protect your teeth until you can see us.

Severe tooth pain

Rinse gently with warm salt water to soothe the area.

Floss carefully to dislodge any trapped food.

Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek for swelling.

Keep your head elevated – lying flat makes throbbing tooth pain worse.

Call us – persistent pain often signals infection or nerve damage.

Knocked-out tooth

Pick the tooth up by the crown only, never the root.

Rinse it gently in milk or saline – don’t scrub or dry it.

Try to reinsert the tooth and bite gently on clean gauze.

If you can’t, store it in milk or saliva, never in water.

Call us immediately – the first 30 minutes decide whether the tooth survives.

Broken or cracked tooth

Save every fragment and store the pieces in milk or saliva.

Rinse your mouth with warm water to clear away sharp debris.

Apply a cold compress to control swelling and dull the pain.

Cover jagged edges with dental wax or sugar-free gum.

Call us – never glue a broken tooth back together.

Facial swelling or abscess

Rinse with warm salt water to keep the area clean.

Use a cold compress on the cheek – heat can worsen swelling.

Stay hydrated and sleep propped up to limit facial swelling.

Never pop or squeeze a dental abscess yourself.

Go to the ER if swelling reaches your eye or neck, or you struggle to breathe or swallow.

Uncontrolled bleeding

Bite firmly on folded gauze for 30 minutes without checking.

Sit upright with your head elevated to slow the bleeding.

A damp black tea bag in place of gauze may help a clot form.

Avoid rinsing, spitting, straws, and smoking for 24 hours.

Call us if bleeding continues after 30 minutes of firm pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

You have questions, we have answers.

Is my tooth pain an emergency, or can it wait until morning?

Call now if you have swelling in your face or neck, a knocked-out or displaced tooth, bleeding you can’t stop, pain severe enough to keep you awake, a fever or difficulty swallowing alongside tooth pain, or trouble opening your mouth. A small chip with no pain, mild sensitivity, or a lost filling can usually wait for a next-day appointment. When you’re unsure, call – a two-minute conversation tells us more than any checklist.

What happens at an emergency appointment?

We’ll examine you, take an X-ray or 3D scan if needed, and identify exactly what’s causing the problem. If you’re in pain, we’ll use local anesthesia or sedation before starting. In most cases we treat the issue the same visit – reimplanting a tooth, extracting it, or draining an infection – rather than sending you away to come back later. Before you leave, we’ll go over healing, what to expect, and any follow-up.

Can I be seen the same day?

Yes, in most cases. We offer same-day consultations and procedures, and we’re open six days a week including Saturday hours. Call our office and we’ll find you the earliest available time. If your regular dentist referred you, let us know so we can request your records and X-rays before you arrive.

Will antibiotics clear up an infected tooth or abscess on their own?

No. An antibiotic can slow the spread of infection and reduce swelling, but it doesn’t resolve the cause – the infected tooth or abscess still has to be treated, and abscesses can spread quickly. Never try to pop or drain one yourself. When an antibiotic is necessary, your oral surgeon will prescribe it, and it should be taken exactly as directed.

What should I do if a dental emergency happens at night or on a weekend?

Call our office – we provide 24-hour on-call access to the surgeon. In the meantime, follow the first aid steps for your symptom above. For a knocked-out tooth, don’t wait for the office to open; the first 30 minutes determine whether it can be saved. Go to the nearest emergency room for difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or a serious facial injury.

Our Blogs

Oral surgeon at Ridge Oral Surgery in Summit reviewing a patient's dental X-ray before discussing treatment options.

My Tooth Hurts But the X-Ray Looks Fine — What Now?

October 21, 2026

A normal X-ray doesn’t mean nothing is wrong. Standard dental films are two-dimensional pictures of a three-dimensional structure, and they routinely miss cracks, early bone changes, and anything hidden behind overlapping roots or bone. Six things commonly cause genuine tooth pain with a clean film. Most are diagnosable — usually with better clinical testing, sometimes with better imaging. Why a 2D X-ray misses things Everything is flattened onto one plane.

Is Oral Surgery Painful? What It Actually Feels Like

October 12, 2026

During the procedure, you shouldn’t feel pain. You will feel pressure, pushing and vibration, and that catches people off guard because it’s easy to misread pressure as the start of pain when it isn’t. Afterwards, expect soreness that peaks around 48 to 72 hours and then eases. Most people manage it with over-the-counter medication, and most say afterwards that the anticipation was worse than the event. That’s not reassurance for

Dental tooth anatomy model showing tooth extraction and root structure for oral surgery education.

What Does a Blood Clot Look Like After Tooth Extraction? A Recovery Guide

October 8, 2026

After a tooth extraction, a blood clot forms in the socket to protect bone and nerve endings while healing begins. It often looks dark red, maroon, or nearly black, and its appearance changes as tissue repairs itself. This guide explains what a normal clot looks like, how healing progresses, and when to call your oral surgeon if symptoms suggest dry socket or complications.

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