Dental Emergency on Your Orlando Vacation? Here's What to Do

Common Dental Emergencies for Visitors

• Severe toothache or suspected abscess: constant pain, a bad taste, or swelling in the gum or face
• Broken, cracked, or chipped tooth: often from a fall, a theme-park snack, or biting something hard
• Knocked-out tooth: common with kids at the pool, on the playground, or slipping in a ride queue
• Lost crown or filling: the exposed tooth can be sensitive and painful
• Broken braces or wires: a poking wire can cut the cheek or gums
• Bleeding or injury to the gums, lips, or tongue

Flying can also make an existing tooth problem flare up, so a toothache that wasn't bothering you at home may show up right as your trip begins.

What to Do Right Now: Quick First Aid

Toothache

• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
• Gently floss to remove any trapped food.
• Hold a cold compress on the outside of your cheek.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed on the label. Don't place aspirin directly on the gum.

Knocked-out adult tooth

• Pick the tooth up by the crown (the chewing surface), not the root.
• Rinse it gently with water. Don't scrub it or remove any tissue fragments.
• If you can, place it back in the socket. If not, keep it in milk.
• Get to a dentist as quickly as you can. Time matters, and the first hour is best.

If it's a child's baby tooth, don't try to put it back in. Bring your child in so we can check the area.

Broken or chipped tooth

• Rinse your mouth with warm water and save any pieces.
• Use gauze to control bleeding and a cold compress to reduce swelling.

Lost crown or filling

• Keep the crown and bring it with you.
• Never use super glue.

When to Go to the ER Instead

Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room if you have swelling that affects your breathing or swallowing, a fever with facial swelling, a severe injury to the head or jaw, or bleeding that won't stop. Once you're stable, a dentist can take care of the tooth itself.

Why Not Wait Until You Get Home?

It's tempting to tough it out and call your regular dentist next week. But dental infections and cracked teeth rarely get better on their own, and pain can get worse quickly. Getting seen now can mean:

• Pain relief, so you can enjoy the rest of your trip
• A temporary fix or a complete treatment plan before the problem gets worse
• X-rays and visit notes you can share with your dentist back home

What to Expect at Gentle Care Dental

We know a dental emergency is scary enough without a stressful visit, and out-of-town patients are always welcome. An emergency visit is booked for a full hour, so nobody is rushing you. Here's how it goes:

1. 1

   A focused exam. We look at the problem area and take digital X-rays to find the source of the pain.

2. 2

   Comfort first. We get you comfortable before anything else. If you're nervous, tell us; we'll take the time to settle you before we begin.

3. 3

   A clear explanation. We walk you through your options and their costs in plain language, with no pressure. Nothing happens without your OK.

4. 4

   Treatment or a temporary fix. We treat many problems the same day, from root canals to extractions to re-cementing a crown. Severe swelling or a complex case may need a follow-up visit. If you're flying home first, we'll protect the tooth and send you off with a plan.

5. 5

   Records for your home dentist. If you'll need follow-up care after your trip, we can email a copy of your X-rays and visit notes.

Learn more about emergency dentistry at Gentle Care Dental.

Insurance and Payment for Visitors

• Insurance: We work with most plans, in or out of network. Bring your insurance card and we'll help you check your benefits.
• No insurance? Self-pay patients are welcome.
• No surprises: You'll see the cost of your treatment before anything is done.

Getting to Us from Disney, Universal, and Orlando

We're in Lake Mary, just north of Orlando and off I-4, in the Rinehart Center near Orlando Health Lake Mary Hospital. Parking is right at the building. Rideshare is a simple option if you don't have a rental car.

Address

570 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, FL 32746

Directions

Open in Google Maps

Monday–Friday

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Phone

(407) 878-3888

If you're staying near the parks and the pain is severe, call us first. We'll help you decide the fastest way to get care.

Frequently Asked Questions