Emergency dentist in Houston: open now, late and weekends
Same-day help in Houston for a knocked-out tooth, a bad toothache, swelling or a broken tooth: see who is open now, call in one tap, and what to do while you wait.
319 practices take emergencies42 open after 6 pm124 open weekends22 open Sundays
ER or dentist?
Call 911 or go to the ER if swelling is spreading toward your eye or throat, if you have a high fever or trouble breathing or swallowing, or after a hard blow to the face or jaw. Call a dentist below for a knocked-out or broken tooth, a lost crown, a bad toothache or a swollen gum that isn’t spreading. A knocked-out adult tooth is easiest to save in the first 30 minutes: keep it moist (milk works) and say so first when you call.
Houston dentists that take emergency patients
Ranked by Google rating, then review count. Use the filters to see who is open now or late, or sort by distance. Call before you go: emergency slots fill early.
What to do right now
Pick what happened. Each card says how soon you need a dentist.
Knocked-out adult toothGo now
- Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part). Don't touch the root.
- If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or water. Don't scrub it.
- Try to push it back into the socket and bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it.
- If it won't go back in, keep it moist: in a cup of milk, or between your cheek and gum. Plain water is the worst option.
- Get to a dentist as fast as you can, ideally within 30 minutes. Say it's a knocked-out tooth when you call.
Baby teeth are not put back in. Call the child's dentist instead.
Swollen face or gum, possible abscessSame day
- Rinse with warm salt water a few times. Don't try to pop or drain a swelling.
- Hold a cold compress against the outside of your cheek, 15 minutes on and 15 off.
- Book a same-day appointment: an infection needs a dentist to treat the cause.
Go to the ER if the swelling spreads toward your eye or neck, or you have a fever or trouble swallowing or breathing.
Severe toothacheSame day
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Floss gently around the tooth in case food is trapped there.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as the label directs. Never put aspirin on the tooth or gum: it burns the tissue.
- Call a dentist the same day if the pain keeps you awake, or comes with swelling or fever.
Cracked or broken toothSame day
- Rinse with warm water and keep any broken pieces.
- Use a cold compress on your face to keep swelling down.
- See a dentist the same day if it hurts or you can see pink or red inside the tooth. A small painless chip can wait a day or two.
Lost crown or fillingWithin a few days
- Keep the crown and bring it with you.
- Temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can hold a crown in place or cover the hole for a few days.
- Chew on the other side and book an appointment within a few days, sooner if it hurts.
Bleeding after an extractionSame day
- Bite firmly on a folded gauze pad (or a damp black tea bag) for 30 to 45 minutes without checking it.
- Don't rinse, spit or use a straw for the first day.
- Call the dentist who did the extraction if it is still bleeding after an hour of pressure.
Go to the ER if the bleeding is heavy and won't slow down.
Bitten tongue or lip, object stuck between teethWithin a few days
- Clean a cut gently with water and hold a cold compress on it.
- Work a stuck object out gently with floss. Don't use a pin or anything sharp.
- See a dentist if a cut is deep or keeps bleeding, or if the object won't come out.
First-aid steps follow the American Dental Association’s dental emergency guidance. This page is general information, not a diagnosis.
What happens at an emergency visit
Expect an exam with an X-ray to find the cause, then relief straight away (draining an abscess, a temporary filling, or a prescription), then a plan for the permanent fix. A good office quotes the permanent fix in writing before doing it. If you are pushed to approve a large treatment plan while you are still numb, get a second opinion once the pain is under control.
No insurance?
Ask about cash prices and in-house membership plans when you call: many practices take 5 to 15% off for patients who pay in full directly. The UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry treats patients at reduced rates; call ahead to ask about urgent appointments. Federally funded community health centers in Harris County also offer dental care on a sliding scale.
Emergency dentists by area
42 Houston areas have at least one practice that takes emergency patients.
All 42 areas
Not sure how urgent it is?
The tooth-pain symptom checker matches your symptoms to a likely cause and says whether it needs care tonight, this week or at your next checkup.
Emergency dentists in Houston: common questions
How many dentists in Houston take emergency patients?
319 practices in the Houston area list emergency care on this site. Of the 280 that publish their hours, 42 stay open after 6 pm on at least one weekday, 124 open on Saturday or Sunday, and 22 open on Sunday.
Can I go to an emergency room for a toothache?
ERs can manage pain and infection with medication, but almost none can treat the tooth itself. Unless the swelling is spreading toward your eye or neck, or you have a fever or trouble breathing or swallowing, a same-day dental appointment treats the cause.
What counts as a dental emergency?
A knocked-out or badly loosened tooth, swelling of the face or gums, bleeding that won't stop, and pain that keeps you awake. A painless chip or a lost filling can wait for the next available appointment; chew on the other side until then.
Emergency dentists in other cities: Los Angeles · Dallas–Fort Worth