Man with severe tooth pain in need of emergency dental services at Brighter Smiles Family Dentistry in West Des Moines, IA

When you’re dealing with a dental emergency, pain and uncertainty can make everything feel urgent — and overwhelming.

You shouldn’t have to wait days to get relief.

At Brighter Smiles Family Dentistry, Dr. Fulton and our team provide same-day emergency dental care whenever possible, with dedicated time reserved specifically for urgent situations.

Our goal is simple: relieve pain fast and protect your smile.

We help patients in West Des Moines and nearby communities with emergencies such as:

  • Severe toothaches or sudden dental pain

  • Knocked-out, broken, or cracked teeth

  • Dental infections, swelling, or abscesses

  • Emergency tooth extractions or root canal treatment when needed

New patient? We’ll do our best to see you the same day and begin treatment right away.

If your emergency involves uncontrolled bleeding or facial trauma, please visit the nearest emergency room immediately.

📞 Call now for emergency dental care in West Des Moines — help is available when you need it most.

Schedule Appointment

Request Priority Service

Fill in the form below to apply for priority service for dental emergencies.  If it’s currently after hours, we will contact you first thing in the morning on our next business day to attempt to squeeze you into our schedule.

NOTE: We do not accept Medicaid, Amerigroup, or MCNA

Emergency Appts

Types of Emergency Dental Situations

  • Mouth sores

  • Broken tooth

  • Cracked tooth

  • Tooth infection

  • Tooth knocked out

  • Swelling of the gums or mouth

  • Severe toothache or severe pain

Beyond Emergency Care: Protecting Your Smile

Emergency treatment relieves pain — but protecting your smile afterward helps prevent future problems.

At Brighter Smiles Family Dentistry, we help patients move from emergency care to long-term dental health with clear, personalized follow-up options, which may include:

If you’ve recently experienced a dental emergency, we’ll guide you through the next steps to keep your smile healthy and pain-free.

👉 Schedule your follow-up visit today and protect your smile moving forward.

Emergency Dental FAQs – What You Need to Know Right Now

A dental problem becomes an emergency when it involves severe pain, active infection, bleeding, or damage that puts a tooth or your health at risk.

These situations require prompt dental care to prevent complications and relieve discomfort.

Dental emergencies often include:

  • Intense or worsening tooth pain
  • Knocked-out, broken, or cracked teeth
  • Swelling in the gums, face, or jaw
  • Indicators of infection like fluid discharge or fever
  • Bleeding that does not stop
  • Injury or trauma to the mouth

If you’re unsure whether your situation is urgent, contacting an emergency dentist is the safest next step.

Acting quickly can often mean simpler treatment and better outcomes.

Tooth pain may be an emergency if it:

  • Is severe, throbbing, or constant
  • Wakes you up at night
  • Is accompanied by swelling, fever, or bad taste
  • Gets worse instead of better
  • Occurs after trauma or injury

Mild sensitivity or temporary discomfort may not be urgent, but persistent or intense pain is your body’s warning sign.

An emergency dentist can determine whether the pain is caused by infection, nerve damage, or another serious issue.

You should see an emergency dentist for most dental-related problems, including:

  • Tooth pain
  • Broken or knocked-out teeth
  • Swelling caused by dental infection
  • Lost fillings or crowns

You should go to the emergency room if you experience:

  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Facial trauma involving broken bones
  • Head injury along with dental trauma

Emergency rooms typically cannot provide definitive dental treatment, so dental emergencies are best handled by a dentist whenever possible.

In general, you should not wait more than 24–48 hours for ongoing tooth pain. Waiting longer can allow:

  • Infection to spread
  • Pain to worsen
  • Teeth to become unsalvageable

Some dental problems may seem manageable at first but can escalate quickly. Early treatment often means simpler, less invasive care.

Yes. A dental infection or abscess can become serious if left untreated.

Potential risks include:

  • Spread of infection to the jaw, face, or neck
  • Fever and systemic illness
  • Increased pain and swelling
  • In rare cases, life-threatening complications

Symptoms of a possible dental infection include:

  • Swelling of the gums, face, or jaw
  • Persistent or severe pain
  • Bad taste or pus
  • Fever

Dental infections do not go away on their own and require professional treatment.

At Brighter Smiles Family Dentistry, we offer same-day emergency dental appointments whenever possible.

We intentionally build flexibility into our schedule to accommodate urgent dental needs.

Availability depends on:

  • Time of day you call
  • Severity of the emergency
  • Existing patient flow

Calling as early as possible gives you the best chance of same-day care.

Yes. We welcome new patients for dental emergencies and will do our best to see you the same day.

Our priority is to:

  • Relieve pain
  • Address infection or damage
  • Stabilize your oral health

After emergency treatment, we’ll discuss any recommended follow-up care.

We recommend calling ahead, even for emergencies. This allows our team to:

  • Prepare for your specific situation
  • Minimize wait times
  • Guide you on immediate steps before arrival

If you arrive without calling, we’ll still do our best to accommodate you, but calling first helps ensure faster care.

If a tooth is knocked out, time is critical. Teeth that receive care within the first hour have the highest chance of being saved.

Steps to take:

  • Pick up the tooth by the chewing surface, avoiding the root area
  • Rinse gently with water if dirty (do not scrub)
  • Try placing it back in the socket if possible
  • If the tooth cannot be reinserted, maintain moisture by placing it in milk or keeping it in the mouth until emergency dental care is available
  • Seek emergency dental care immediately

Prompt treatment can sometimes allow the tooth to be reimplanted successfully.

If you break or crack a tooth:

  • Rinse your mouth with warm water
  • Save any broken pieces
  • Avoid chewing on that side
  • Use a cold compress for swelling

Even small cracks can worsen over time. An emergency dentist can evaluate whether the tooth needs a crown, bonding, or other treatment.

A lost crown or filling can expose sensitive tooth structure and lead to pain or infection.

Until you’re seen:

  • Keep the area clean
  • Avoid chewing on that side
  • Save the crown if possible
  • Use temporary dental cement if available

You should schedule an emergency dental visit to prevent further damage.

Yes. Swelling is often a sign of infection or abscess, especially when accompanied by pain or fever.

Facial or gum swelling should never be ignored, as infections can spread quickly. Emergency evaluation allows the dentist to identify the cause and begin appropriate treatment.

Emergency dental care is centered on reducing pain and stabilizing your condition, so you can start feeling better as soon as possible.

Modern techniques and local anesthesia help ensure:

  • Comfortable treatment
  • Reduced anxiety
  • Immediate relief whenever possible

Most patients report feeling significantly better after their emergency visit.

Emergency dental treatment depends on your specific condition but may include:

  • Exams and digital X-rays
  • Pain relief and infection control
  • Temporary or permanent fillings
  • Root canal treatment
  • Tooth extraction
  • Antibiotics when appropriate

The goal is to stabilize the problem and protect your oral health.

Often, yes. Emergency treatment addresses the immediate issue, but follow-up care may be needed to ensure long-term success.

Follow-up may include:

  • Permanent restorations (crowns or fillings)
  • Tooth replacement options
  • Preventive care to avoid future emergencies

Your dentist will go over the next steps with you and explain your options, so you feel confident about the direction of your care.

Modern Dentistry, Gentle Care

Comfortable and Caring Dental Care for the Whole Family

Dr. Melani Fulton

Emergency Dental Care From a Trusted Local Dentist

Emergency dental care at Brighter Smiles Family Dentistry is led by Melani Fulton, DDS, a lifelong West Des Moines resident and graduate of the University of Iowa College of Dentistry.

Dr. Fulton carefully evaluates whether a tooth can be saved and clearly explains all options before treatment. When emergency care is needed, her focus is on relieving pain, treating infection or damage, and protecting long-term oral health, with clear aftercare guidance to support healing.

She is an active member of the American Dental Association, Iowa Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Orthodontic Society.

Join the Many Smiles We’ve Brightened!

Sean Smith

Great place and great service. I have been using Brighter Smiles since they opened and have never once had an issue.

Sean Smith , via Facebook
Ken O'Brien

First appointment with Dr. Fulton today. Enjoyed meeting her and found the treatment to be top notch!

Ken O'Brien , via Facebook
Leah Wilson

We had our first family visit with Dr. Fulton today! Everyone was fantastic! So happy with the service and quality of care!

Leah Wilson , via Facebook
Sara Tolbert

Very friendly atmosphere and they take the time to explain everything to you. Always a great experience.

Sara Tolbert , via Facebook
Susan Strader Ohnysty

Very friendly and knowledgeable.😊

Susan Strader Ohnysty , via Facebook
Michelle Holtz

Dr Fulton and her staff are wonderful. They are so personable. They listen to any concerns you have, and go above to make sure you are comfortable and happy when you leave. I highly recommend her for your dental needs.

Michelle Holtz , via Facebook
Lorron Moffatt

After moving from Mn to Iowa needing a Dentist Brighter Smiles was referred to us by our Son and his Fiancé. Made the Appointment and was very pleased with them .

Lorron Moffatt , via Facebook