A toothache doesn't wait. A tooth breaks at dinner, a knock during your child's game, or pain that wakes you up at 3 a.m. and won't go away. When it happens, you need a clinic that answers the phone and sees you soon.
PureSmile Miami opens November 1, 2026 in Kendall. From day one, we will set aside time every day for dental emergencies, with a bilingual team and clear pricing before treatment. If you have an emergency right now, below we explain exactly what to do while you get care.
If you have any of these symptoms, seek dental care as soon as possible:
Severe toothache. Pain that doesn't ease with over-the-counter pain relievers, wakes you up at night or keeps you from eating. It usually points to an infection (abscess) that can spread to the jaw or neck if left untreated. Don't try to tough it out.
Tooth knocked out. Here, time is everything. If it's treated within the first 30 minutes, there's a good chance of saving it. Hold it by the crown (never by the root), rinse it gently without scrubbing, and put it back in its socket or keep it in milk.
Broken or chipped tooth. Whether from biting something hard, a blow or a fall, a broken tooth needs attention before the exposed nerve becomes infected. Rinse with warm water and apply cold to the outside of your cheek.
Lost filling or crown. The tooth is left exposed and vulnerable to decay and sensitivity. Drugstore dental cements are only a temporary patch.
Swelling in the face or jaw. Facial swelling together with tooth pain usually indicates a serious infection. If you also have a fever or trouble swallowing or breathing, go straight to a hospital emergency room or call 911. That can't wait.
Bleeding that won't stop. If, after an extraction or a blow, the bleeding doesn't stop with firm pressure after 15 or 20 minutes, you need a professional evaluation.
For pain: ibuprofen reduces pain and inflammation at the same time. Never put aspirin directly on the gum; that's an old myth, and it burns the tissue. Apply cold to the outside of your cheek, 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off.
For a knocked-out tooth: touch it only by the crown. Rinse it gently. Try to put it back in its socket and, if you can't, keep it in milk or between your cheek and gum. Don't wrap it in paper or let it dry out.
For a broken tooth: rinse with warm salt water. If a sharp edge is cutting your tongue, cover it temporarily with dental wax or sugar-free gum. Save the pieces if you have them.
For swelling with fever: this combination suggests a spreading infection. Go to a hospital emergency room without waiting.
You'll find the complete step-by-step guide in what to do in a dental emergency in Kendall.
Miami-Dade emergency rooms are overcrowded and most don't have a dentist on staff. What usually happens when you go in with a toothache is that you wait several hours, leave with an antibiotic and a pain reliever, and are told to see a dentist anyway.
A dental clinic can diagnose with an X-ray, drain an abscess, stabilize a broken tooth, re-cement a crown or start a root canal to stop the pain at its source. The emergency room controls the symptom temporarily. The dentist treats the cause.
Important exception: if there is swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, a high fever or uncontrollable bleeding, the emergency room or 911 is the right choice, and you should not wait.
Emergency evaluation with digital X-rays. We identify exactly what's going on before touching anything, with much less radiation than traditional film X-rays.
Pain control. The first priority is to relieve your pain, whether with local anesthesia, draining an abscess or starting the treatment that removes the source of the pain.
Temporary or permanent restoration. If you've lost a filling or crown, in many cases it can be fixed in the same visit.
Infection management. Antibiotics when needed, combined with the drainage or treatment that actually resolves the problem. Antibiotics only buy time; they don't cure a dental infection.
Specialist coordination. If your case requires an oral surgeon or an endodontist, we coordinate the referral so you don't have to figure it out on your own.
We want handling a dental emergency to be simple, with no surprises.
A clear price in writing before we start, so there are no surprises on the bill. Someone who answers the phone. Unhurried care in your language. We accept Medicare Advantage, PPO, HMO and self-pay, and we verify your coverage for free before your appointment.
Do you see emergencies today?
Not yet. PureSmile Miami opens November 1, 2026 in Kendall. When you join the waitlist, we'll let you know as soon as we open, and emergencies get priority. If you have an emergency now, follow the guidance on this page and seek immediate dental care.
How much does an emergency visit cost?
It depends on the treatment you need. We give you an itemized estimate in writing before we proceed, so nothing comes as a surprise at the end. If you have insurance, we verify your coverage for free and tell you how much you'll owe before touching anything.
Does my Medicare Advantage plan cover dental emergencies?
Many Medicare Advantage plans include a dental benefit that can cover the emergency evaluation, X-rays, extractions and treatment of pain and infection. Coverage varies by plan, so we verify yours for free, in English or Spanish, and tell you clearly what is and isn't included. Remember that in most plans the dental benefit renews every year and whatever you don't use is lost.
Can I get care in Spanish?
Yes. Our team is bilingual, so the entire call and all of your care can be in Spanish or English, whichever you prefer.
My child's baby tooth was knocked out. Is it an emergency?
Unlike permanent teeth, baby teeth are not put back in. Even so, it's a good idea to check that the permanent tooth developing underneath hasn't been damaged. If the knocked-out tooth is a permanent one, it is a true emergency and you need to act within the first 30 minutes.
