What to do now
- Call the clinic: 03-912-1879. Emergencies are seen the same day, during opening hours, on the same number.
- Opening hours: Sun 8:00–19:00 · Mon 9:00–19:00 · Tue–Wed 9:00–21:00 · Thu 8:30–21:00 · Fri 8:00–14:00
- Address: 12 HaTnufa Street, HaTnufa complex, 3rd floor, unit 410, Talpiot, Jerusalem
- Outside the clinic's opening hours: the clinic is closed at night and on Saturday. Contact a dental emergency service, for example your health fund's, and go to a hospital emergency room if there are serious signs.
Fever, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or difficulty swallowing or breathing: go to the emergency room right away.
Emergency dentist in Jerusalem: when do you need urgent dental care?
In a study of 1,000 emergency visits by children to a university dental clinic, 96.7% of patients reported pain, and in about half of the cases the pain came from tooth decay and its complications (Martens LC et al., 2018).
Dr Haim Aseriel's clinic in Jerusalem treats dental emergencies, including trauma, infections, broken teeth and severe pain. Urgent appointments are given during the clinic's opening hours (Sun 8:00–19:00 · Mon 9:00–19:00 · Tue–Wed 9:00–21:00 · Thu 8:30–21:00 · Fri 8:00–14:00) by phone at 03-912-1879. Treatment focuses on saving the natural tooth whenever possible, and everything is explained in English.
What happens at an emergency dental visit?
An emergency dental visit combines a quick diagnosis, pain relief and a focused treatment plan.
Each urgent visit starts with a clinical examination and, when needed, an X-ray, for example a panoramic dental X-ray when a wider view of the mouth is required. A personal treatment plan is then presented, and treatment begins only once you understand the options and agree to the proposed approach.
Emergency dental treatment: common situations
In a study of adult emergency visits at a medical center in Taiwan, 36.7% of diagnoses were problems of the dental pulp, a condition that requires treatment to keep infection from spreading (Huang CL et al., 2022).
In practice, many patients wait days or even weeks before seeing a dentist, hoping the pain will go away. Waiting can turn a problem that could be treated conservatively into one that needs an extraction or a root canal. An emergency dental clinic exists precisely to prevent this, and to treat the tooth at a stage when it can still be saved.
A hard blow to a tooth
Trauma to a tooth needs prompt assessment, even if the tooth looks intact. In a study from a dental trauma department, an average of 1.8 teeth were injured per incident, and some of the damage is invisible without a professional examination (Lin S et al., 2016). A broken tooth left untreated can lead to death of the pulp, which then requires a root canal. The dentist assesses the injury and, if needed, refers to oral and maxillofacial surgery.
A bitten tongue or lip
Injuries to the soft tissues of the mouth (tongue, lip, cheek) can bleed in amounts that look frightening but can usually be controlled. Rinse gently with water, press steadily with clean gauze and apply a cold compress on the outside. A deep wound, heavy bleeding or bleeding that does not stop with pressure requires a dentist or a hospital emergency room right away.
A persistent toothache
A lasting toothache is usually a sign of a problem that will not resolve on its own. Rotten teeth at an advanced stage or a hole in a tooth that has grown larger are situations where waiting makes the damage worse. Conservative options are always considered first, because a natural tooth that can be saved is preferable to a replacement. Do not put a pain-relief tablet directly on the painful tooth or gum: it can burn the tissue.
A cracked tooth
A cracked tooth is a dental emergency that is not always painful. An undiagnosed crack can turn into a complete fracture and end in extraction. The dentist locates the crack and proposes a suitable solution, such as a protective crown; early dental restoration preserves the tooth and keeps the damage from reaching the pulp.
A temporary crown that broke or came off
A temporary crown that breaks or comes off leaves the prepared tooth exposed to bacteria, temperature and chewing forces. It is uncomfortable, sometimes painful, and can compromise the fit of the permanent crown if it is not dealt with quickly. An urgent appointment is made to re-cement the temporary crown or make a new one.
Injuries and cuts inside the mouth
Injuries of the gums, lining of the mouth or palate may result from trauma, a burn, an infection or a serious gum problem. The dentist assesses whether immediate treatment or gum treatment is needed. Painful mouth sores are covered on mouth ulcers.
Orthodontic problems
Why does a broken bracket or a poking wire become urgent? Because a damaged orthodontic component puts uncontrolled pressure on the teeth and can hurt the soft tissues. An urgent appointment is made to fix, trim or remove the damaged part until orthodontic treatment continues.
Dental first aid: what to do before you reach the dentist
In a public survey in Saudi Arabia, 36% of respondents did not know what to do with a knocked-out or broken tooth, a knowledge gap that can cost a tooth that could have been saved (Nourwali IM, 2019). The right first aid can make the difference between keeping a tooth and losing it.
Knocked-out tooth
Permanent tooth: hold it by the crown (not the root), rinse it briefly with water if dirty and try to put it back in place. If you cannot, keep it in milk or in the mouth against the cheek (not in water) and see a dentist immediately, ideally within 30 minutes. A baby tooth should not be put back.
Broken tooth
Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water, keep the broken piece if possible and put a cold compress on the cheek.
Severe pain
Rinse with lukewarm water and gently floss out any trapped food. Do not put a pain-relief tablet on the tooth or gum, as it can burn. Ask your dentist or pharmacist which pain reliever suits you.
Bleeding gums
Press steadily with clean gauze. Heavy bleeding or bleeding that does not stop requires a dentist or a hospital emergency room.
Facial swelling
Cold on the skin only, never heat, and seek urgent care. Fever, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or difficulty swallowing or breathing: go to a hospital emergency room immediately.
30
- minutes: the ideal time to reach a dentist with a knocked-out permanent tooth
For a knocked-out permanent tooth, putting it back quickly, or keeping it in milk or in the mouth until you reach the dentist, improves the chance of saving it (American Association of Endodontists; Fouad AF et al., 2020).
Examination, treatment plan and price quote
detailed and personalized
During the consultation, Dr Haim Aseriel examines your teeth, explains all the options and gives you a transparent price quote, with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, Jerusalem.
Emergency dentist near me in Jerusalem: where and when
If you are searching for an emergency dentist near you in Jerusalem, the clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, HaTnufa complex, 3rd floor, unit 410, in Talpiot, south Jerusalem. Call 03-912-1879 during opening hours (Sun 8:00–19:00 · Mon 9:00–19:00 · Tue–Wed 9:00–21:00 · Thu 8:30–21:00 · Fri 8:00–14:00) to ask for an urgent appointment. Dr Haim Aseriel, a US-trained dentist (DDS, NYU College of Dentistry), and the team explain the diagnosis and the options in English.
How much does emergency dental treatment cost?
The cost of emergency dental treatment depends on the type of injury and the treatment needed in each case. At every emergency visit, after the examination and diagnosis, you receive a detailed, personal quote before any treatment starts, and itemized receipts afterwards that you can submit to your insurer (coverage depends on your policy).
Preventing dental injuries: safety tips
Emergency care matters, but prevention is better. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends wearing a mouthguard for any sport or leisure activity with a risk of injury to the mouth.
- Sports mouthguard: recommended for soccer, boxing, cycling and other sports.
- Regular check-ups: how often depends on your oral health and personal risk, and they catch problems early.
- Avoid very hard foods: hard candy, ice and seeds can break teeth.
- Treat teeth grinding: a night guard protects against wear and fractures during sleep.
If anxiety keeps you from the dentist until there is pain, see dental anxiety; for pregnant patients, urgent care should not be postponed (see dental care during pregnancy).
A broken tooth, sudden pain, swelling or another urgent problem? Call Dr Haim Aseriel's clinic in Jerusalem for an urgent appointment during opening hours (Sun 8:00–19:00 · Mon 9:00–19:00 · Tue–Wed 9:00–21:00 · Thu 8:30–21:00 · Fri 8:00–14:00) at 03-912-1879.
Emergency dentist: frequently asked questions
At an emergency dental visit, the dentist carries out a clinical examination, with an X-ray when needed, to find the source of the problem and relieve the pain. A treatment plan is then presented, and treatment starts only once the patient understands the options and agrees to them.
For a knocked-out permanent tooth, hold it by the crown only (never the root), rinse it briefly with water if it is dirty, and try to put it back in its socket right away. If that is not possible, keep it in milk or in the mouth against the cheek (not in water) and see a dentist immediately, ideally within 30 minutes. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back, but the child should still be seen by a dentist.
Bleeding from a cut on the lip, tongue or gums usually stops with gentle rinsing with water and steady pressure with clean gauze; a cold compress on the outside can help. Heavy bleeding, bleeding that does not stop or severe pain require a dentist or a hospital emergency room.
Jerusalem Dental Clinic gives urgent appointments during its opening hours: Sunday 8:00-19:00, Monday 9:00-19:00, Tuesday and Wednesday 9:00-21:00, Thursday 8:30-21:00 and Friday 8:00-14:00, by phone at 03-912-1879. The clinic is closed at night and on Saturday: outside these hours, contact a dental emergency service, for example your health fund's. Fever, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or difficulty swallowing or breathing require going to a hospital emergency room immediately, at any hour.
The cost of emergency dental treatment depends on the type of injury and the treatment needed, for example a filling, a root canal or an extraction. After the examination and diagnosis, the patient receives a detailed quote before any treatment starts.
Sources
- Martens LC et al., European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry, 2018 – View the study
- Huang CL et al., Journal of Dental Sciences, 2022 – View the study
- Lin S et al., Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, 2016 – View the study
- Nourwali IM, Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry, 2019 – View the study
- American Association of Endodontists, Knocked Out Teeth – View the page
- Fouad AF et al., Dental Traumatology, 2020 – View the study
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), Dental Emergencies – View the page
