Thanksgiving Toothache? Here’s What to Do Fast

A Holiday Meant for Smiles — Until One Hurts

It was Thanksgiving morning when Jason bit into his grandmother’s famous pecan pie and froze. That sharp, pulsing pain shot through his jaw like a jolt of electricity. His smile vanished faster than the turkey on the table.
He pushed his plate away, trying to hide the grimace. “I think I cracked something,” he whispered to his wife, who gave him that look — the one that says not today.

Every year, we see stories like Jason’s at Ahn Dental Specialists in Redondo Beach. The timing couldn’t be worse: everything smells amazing, everyone’s gathered around, and suddenly, your tooth decides it’s had enough. A dental emergency doesn’t care about your calendar. But knowing what to do — and what not to do — can save your holiday (and your tooth).

The Reality: Dental Emergencies Don’t Take Holidays Off

Dr. Michelle Ahn likes to remind patients that pain isn’t the only sign of a dental emergency — sometimes it’s swelling, bleeding, or a tooth that feels “off.” But during holidays like Thanksgiving, many people try to tough it out, hoping it will fade.

The problem? Dental pain rarely goes away on its own. What starts as mild discomfort can escalate overnight — especially after rich food, hot drinks, and holiday stress.

Whether it’s a cracked crown, lost filling, or sudden infection, emergency dentistry is about timing. The sooner you act, the simpler (and less expensive) your treatment will be.

How a Simple Crack Can Spiral Into a Serious Problem

Jason’s story didn’t start at Thanksgiving — it started weeks earlier.
He’d been ignoring a dull ache in his molar for days, brushing it off as “sensitivity.” When the pecan pie hit, that pressure on a weak tooth caused a fracture that exposed the nerve. That’s when the real pain began.

After calling our office, we scheduled him for an emergency appointment the next morning. The diagnosis: a cracked tooth and an inflamed nerve.
The good news? Because he came in quickly, we could save the tooth with a dental crown instead of a root canal or extraction.

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

If you’re wondering whether your pain qualifies as an emergency, here’s what we tell patients in Redondo Beach:

You should call right away if you have:

• Persistent or severe tooth pain that interferes with eating or sleeping
• A cracked or broken tooth (even if it doesn’t hurt much yet)
• A tooth that’s been knocked out or feels loose
• Facial swelling, gum abscesses, or a bad taste that won’t go away
• Broken dental work like crowns, veneers, or fillings
  

Anything that keeps you from enjoying your meal — or your weekend — is worth checking.

Why Thanksgiving Is a Prime Time for Dental Accidents

We see more dental emergencies around Thanksgiving and Christmas than any other time of year — and it’s not hard to see why.

1. Hard foods. Nuts, crusty bread, and turkey bones are frequent offenders.
2. Sugar overload. Sticky desserts and sweet drinks irritate sensitive teeth.
3. Travel stress. When you’re away from your normal routine, dental pain can flare up fast.
4. Delayed care. Many patients put off treatment before the holidays — and pay for it during them.

What to Do If You Have a Dental Emergency on a Holiday

It’s the worst timing — but you still have options. Here’s what you can do until you can see your dentist:

1. For pain: Take over-the-counter ibuprofen (unless contraindicated) and rinse gently with warm salt water.
2. For swelling: Use a cold compress on the cheek for 10 minutes at a time.
3. For a lost crown or filling: Use dental wax or sugar-free gum to cover sharp edges.
4. For a knocked-out tooth: Keep it moist — ideally in milk — and call your dentist immediately.
   

Avoid chewing on the affected side and skip extreme temperatures (hot cider and cold pumpkin pie are a bad combo).

Ahn Dental Specialists: Your Emergency Partner in Redondo Beach

At Ahn Dental Specialists, emergencies aren’t treated as “add-ons.” We build flexibility into our schedule so patients in need don’t wait in pain. Dr. Ahn’s advanced training in prosthodontics means she’s skilled not just in relieving pain, but in restoring smiles — so you don’t have to worry about long-term damage or appearance.

Whether it’s repairing a broken crown, replacing a filling, or performing a same-day root canal, our goal is to get you comfortable, fast — and back to your life, family, and yes, your leftovers.