NOVEMBER 5, 2025 – Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Whether you crack a tooth or have severe mouth pain, knowing what to do can save your smile and reduce damage.
The good news? The TRICARE Dental Program covers emergency dental care, as noted in the TRICARE Dental Program Handbook. You’ll pay no cost-share for emergency dental services, no matter your pay grade or location.
“In any emergency, it’s important to act quickly,” said Douglas Elsesser, a program analyst with the Dental Program Branch of the TRICARE Health Plan at the Defense Health Agency. “With a bit of preparation and knowledge, you can do your best to keep any damage to a minimum.”
Keep reading to learn how to prepare for dental emergencies and what to do when they happen.
What is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency requires immediate attention. You need emergency care if you have:
- Bleeding that won’t stop
- Pain that doesn’t get better with medication
- Broken facial bones
- Painful swelling in or around your mouth
- Gum infection with pain or swelling
- Knocked out or broken tooth
How to prepare
Keep your dentist’s contact information with you at all times. Many dentists have emergency numbers you can call after business hours.
Build a dental emergency kit with these items:
- Cotton balls and swabs
- Dental floss
- Dental mirror
- Latex or vinyl gloves
- Salt
- Cold compress
What to do
Call your dentist first. This is the most important step in any dental emergency. If you don’t have a dentist, use the Find a Dentist tool or go to an urgent care center or emergency room.
For severe tooth pain
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Use dental floss to remove any stuck food.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth if you have swelling.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers.
For a cracked or broken tooth
- Save any broken pieces and rinse them.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Apply gauze to bleeding areas for 10 minutes.
- Use a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to reduce pain and swelling.
For a knocked-out tooth
- Find the tooth and hold it by the crown.
- Rinse the root gently with water.
- Try to put the tooth back in its socket if possible.
- If you can’t put it back, place it in a small container of milk or salt water.
- See your dentist within one hour for the best chance of saving the tooth.
For mouth bleeding
- Rinse with mild salt water.
- Press a damp gauze on the bleeding spot for 15-20 minutes.
- Hold a cold compress on the outside of your mouth for 5-10 minutes.
- If bleeding persists, go to the emergency room immediately.
When it’s not an emergency
Some dental problems can wait for a regular appointment:
- Mild toothache
- Small chip or crack
- Broken braces (unless bleeding)
- Something stuck between teeth
- Minor cuts or sores
If you seek emergency dental care, but your dentist determines it’s not an emergency, you’ll pay the cost-shares for the care you receive.
For these issues, call your dentist to schedule an appointment during normal hours.
Emergency room or dentist?
For most dental emergencies like broken or knocked-out teeth, your dentist will treat you in his or her office. Go to the emergency room for serious injuries like broken facial bones.
Emergency rooms can give you pain medication and antibiotics, but they don’t do dental work like fillings or crowns. You’ll still need to see your dentist as soon as possible.
Dental emergencies need quick action. The faster you get help, the better your chances of saving your teeth and avoiding additional problems later. Remember:
- Call your dentist.
- Follow first aid steps until you can get professional care.
- Don’t wait, prompt treatment prevents infection and tooth loss.
For more information about TRICARE dental benefits, visit TRICARE Dental Care.
By TRICARE Communications