Always remember to carry an emergency dental kit when you’re backpacking, camping, or hiking. A dental emergency can strike anywhere, anytime. Being prepared will help you stay calm and act quickly if you accidentally break a tooth or lose a filling. Until you can get to the nearest emergency dentist, here’s what you can do.
How to Handle a Dental Emergency While on a Hike
The most important rule in any dental emergency is to stay calm so you can assess the injury and take the appropriate action.
Having an emergency kit on hand (see what to pack below) will ensure you have everything you need to take the next steps. For instance, a knocked-out tooth needs to be rinsed and properly stored in order to save the tooth, and a lost filling or crown will need dental cement.
What to Keep in Your Dental Emergency Kit
Every hiker should have an easily accessible waterproof dental emergency kit that contains:
- An over-the-counter pain reliever (like Advil or Tylenol)
- Topical numbing gel
- Travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
- Gauze pads
- Sterile, disposable gloves
- Alcohol wipes to clean your hands or tools
- Small, clean container for transporting a knocked-out tooth or tooth fragments
- Dental wax for covering a sharp, broken tooth
- Dental cement for temporarily fixing a loose crown or bridge
- An emergency contact card that includes your dentist’s number
What to Do If…
A Tooth Gets Knocked Out
If you somehow knock out a tooth, it’s crucial to act quickly. Gently rinse the tooth with warm water and avoid touching the root to prevent damage. Place the tooth back in the socket or inside a container of your own saliva to keep it safe. Get to an emergency dentist within 30 minutes for your best chance of saving the tooth.
You Break a Tooth
After chipping or breaking a tooth, rinse your mouth with water to remove any debris. Save the broken fragments of your tooth if you can, and cover the sharp edges with dental wax to protect your tongue and cheeks. A severe break needs urgent attention, but minor chips can wait a couple days if they don’t cause pain or sensitivity.
You Lose a Filling or Crown
Whether a filling or crown loosens or falls out completely, make sure to gently clean the area immediately. If it’s only loose, use dental cement or filling material to secure the restoration temporarily. Contact your dentist right away so they can repair your dental work and prevent further damage.
You Have an Intense Toothache
Did you know that hiking at high altitudes can actually make tooth pain worse? The decreased pressure can “squeeze” your tooth, causing pain to flare up. Cavities, impacted wisdom teeth, and even sinus infections will feel much more painful. An over-the-counter pain reliever should offer you some relief. If the pain goes away after your hike, you’ll probably be okay, but please don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment if it lingers.
Contact an Emergency Dentist in Flagstaff
If you’re ever out on the Country Club Trail, exploring Fisher Point, or camping near Flagstaff and tooth pain strikes, we’re here to help. No matter the type of dental emergency, you can come to Country Club Dental for urgent care. Give us a call 928-526-4314 right away if you ever have a dental emergency in Flagstaff.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (8/20/2026). Photo by Evan Chasteen on Pexels
Dr. Paul Whitney opened his dental practice in April 1987 in Flagstaff, Arizona, and has resided there for over 26 years. Having received his B.S. in Zoology from the University of Massachusetts in 1979 and his D.D.S. from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, in 1983, Paul has years of education and experience in a variety of fields.
