Emergency Dentistry in Des Moines, IA

By Stephen Forrest, DDS | Des Moines Cosmetic Dentistry Center | Reviewed and updated July 2026

About the Author: Dr. Stephen Forrest has practiced dentistry in the Des Moines area for more than 30 years and treats dental emergencies at his Clive office. He earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Iowa, holds a Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry, and is a member of the American Dental Association and the Iowa Dental Association.

If you are having a dental emergency in Des Moines, call (515) 516-6769. A knocked-out tooth, a broken tooth, severe pain, or a dental abscess all need prompt care, and acting in the first hour often makes the difference between saving a tooth and losing it. This page walks through what to do right now for each common emergency, and when to head straight to the office.

Dental emergencies catch you off guard, and they should never be ignored, since waiting turns a fixable problem into a painful, expensive one. Dr. Stephen Forrest and the team at Des Moines Cosmetic Dentistry Center treat urgent dental problems for patients across the Des Moines area. Call the office first, then follow the first-aid steps below while you arrange to be seen.

“In a dental emergency, the clock matters more than anything. A knocked-out tooth has the best chance in the first hour, and severe pain or swelling means an infection unwilling to wait. Call first, and let us tell you what to do while you head in,” says Dr. Stephen Forrest.

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

Some dental problems wait a few days for a regular appointment, and some cannot. Call right away for any of these:

• A knocked-out or dislodged tooth.
• A broken, cracked, or badly chipped tooth.
• Severe or worsening tooth pain.
• Swelling in the gums, face, or jaw, which can signal an abscess.
• Bleeding that does not stop.
• A lost filling or crown causing pain.
• An injury to the mouth from an accident or sports.

When in doubt, call. The office will tell you quickly whether you need to be seen right away or whether it waits for a scheduled visit.

Knocked-Out Tooth: What to Do Right Now

A knocked-out tooth is one of the few true save-the-tooth emergencies, and the first hour counts most. Take these steps:

• If there is bleeding, work to stop it first with gentle pressure.
• If you can find the tooth, pick it up by the crown, the chewing surface, never the root.
• Rinse the root gently with water, and do not scrub or remove any attached tissue, which helps the tooth reattach.
• If you can, place the tooth back in its socket and hold it there.
• If reinserting is not possible, place the tooth in a small container of milk.
• Get to the office within one hour of the tooth being knocked out.

The milk matters, since it keeps the root cells alive far better than water or a dry container while you travel to the office.

Broken or Chipped Tooth

A chipped or broken tooth needs prompt attention from an emergency dentist, and how urgent depends on the depth of the break. First, make sure no other injury needs attention: for serious facial trauma, call 911 or go to the emergency room. Then stop any bleeding with gauze, rinse with warm water or warm salt water, and use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling. Over-the-counter pain medication helps in the meantime. Call the office to be seen and to protect the tooth from further damage or infection.

Dental Abscess and Severe Tooth Pain

An abscess is an infection around the root of a tooth or between the gums and teeth, and it is a serious condition, not something to wait out. Untreated, the infection damages surrounding teeth and tissue and spreads to other parts of the body. Warning signs include throbbing pain, swelling in the gums or face, a bad taste, and fever. Call the office the moment you notice these signs. Rinsing with warm salt water eases discomfort while you arrange to be seen, and prompt treatment clears the infection before it worsens.

Broken Braces Wire

A broken or protruding braces wire that pokes the cheek, gum, or tongue is uncomfortable, and there are safe steps to take. Gently try to push the wire to a more comfortable position. If it will not move, cover the end with orthodontic wax or a small cotton ball until you reach the office. Do not cut the wire, since a cut piece can be swallowed or inhaled. The office will repair it and relieve the irritation.

Lost Filling or Crown

A lost filling or crown is usually urgent when it causes pain or leaves a sharp edge. Keep the crown if you have it, since it can sometimes be re-cemented. Avoid chewing on the affected side, keep the area clean, and call the office to arrange a repair. A tooth missing its filling or crown is vulnerable, so it is best not to wait long.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Many emergencies are avoidable with a few habits. Keep up regular checkups and cleanings so small problems get caught before they become painful ones, wear a custom mouthguard for sports, avoid chewing ice and hard candy, and never use your teeth as tools to open packages. Addressing a nagging ache early is almost always easier and cheaper than treating the emergency it turns into.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do in a dental emergency?

Call the office at (515) 516-6769 right away, and follow the first-aid steps for your specific situation. For a knocked-out tooth, keep it in milk and come in within an hour. For severe pain or swelling, call promptly, since it often signals an infection needing treatment.

Can a knocked-out tooth be saved?

Often yes, when you act fast. Handle the tooth by the crown, keep it moist in milk or its socket, and get to the office within one hour. The sooner the tooth is treated, the better the chance of saving it.

Is a dental abscess an emergency?

Yes. An abscess is an infection that can spread and become serious, so it needs prompt treatment. Call the office as soon as you notice pain, swelling, or a bad taste, and rinse with warm salt water for relief while you arrange to be seen.

How do I know if my tooth pain is serious?

Severe, worsening, or persistent pain, especially with swelling or fever, is a signal to call right away. Mild, brief sensitivity often waits for a regular appointment, but when pain interferes with sleeping or eating, it needs prompt attention.

Will it cost more to be seen for an emergency?

The office reviews your insurance coverage and financing options before treatment, the same as any visit. The costlier path is almost always waiting, because a small problem treated early beats a large one treated late. Call to discuss your situation.

Call Des Moines Cosmetic Dentistry Center Now

A dental emergency is stressful, and fast, experienced care makes the difference. Dr. Stephen Forrest has treated dental emergencies in the Des Moines area for more than 30 years, serving patients across Des Moines, West Des Moines, Waukee, Urbandale, and Clive. Call (515) 516-6769 now, and the team will guide you through the next steps and get you seen. Do not wait on dental pain, since the sooner you call, the more of your smile there is to save.