Most dental offices in small Minnesota towns are closed on weekends. That doesn't leave you with nothing. Call a dental office anyway, since many have an answering service that holds the next opening. Use safe first aid to get through the wait, and go to the hospital for the few problems that can't wait.
First, decide if it's a hospital problem
Go to the nearest emergency department if you have any of these:
- Swelling spreading toward your eye or down your neck
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- A high fever with a swollen face
- Bleeding that won't stop after 30 minutes of firm pressure
- A head injury or a possible broken jaw
In Tracy, that's Sanford Tracy Medical Center. Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center and Murray County Medical Center in Slayton also have emergency departments. Hospitals treat spreading infection and injuries. They generally don't treat the tooth, so you'll still need a dentist afterward.
If it's not a hospital problem, call a dentist anyway
Even when the office is closed, calling does two things. Many offices use an answering service that takes your details and holds the first opening for you. And the person who answers can note how urgent it is.
Have this ready: what happened, when it started, which tooth hurts, whether there's swelling or fever, and your insurance.
What to do for common weekend problems
| Problem | What to do until you're seen |
|---|---|
| Toothache | Over-the-counter pain reliever as the label directs, warm salt-water rinses, head raised at night |
| Swollen gum, no warning signs | Warm salt-water rinses, cold pack on the cheek, don't squeeze the area |
| Knocked-out adult tooth | Hold it by the white part, rinse gently, put it back in the socket or keep it in milk, call right away |
| Knocked-out baby tooth | Don't put it back. Press gauze on the spot and call a dentist |
| Broken tooth | Rinse with warm water, save any large piece, cold pack for swelling, avoid chewing on that side |
| Lost crown or filling | Keep the crown in a bag, eat soft food on the other side, don't glue it back |
| Bleeding after an extraction | Bite firmly on clean gauze for 30 minutes; hospital if it won't slow down |
The American Dental Association's MouthHealthy guide to dental emergencies has more first-aid detail.
What not to do
- Don't put aspirin or other pills directly on the gum. It can burn the tissue.
- Don't try to repair a broken tooth or crown yourself.
- Don't put heat on a swollen face.
- Don't rely on leftover antibiotics. They won't fix the tooth, and the wrong medicine can make things harder to treat.
- Don't cancel the appointment because the pain eased. A tooth can stop hurting while infection keeps spreading. The Mayo Clinic explains how a tooth abscess can spread if left untreated.
Getting there on Monday
Roads in southwest Minnesota can be rough after a weekend storm. Check 511mn.org before you leave, and give yourself extra time if you're coming from a farm or a lake home on county roads.
Frequently asked questions
Is any dentist in the area open on Saturday or Sunday?
It's uncommon in small towns. Call the offices near you; some may have weekend hours or an on-call arrangement. If none can see you and you have warning signs, go to the hospital.
Can a knocked-out tooth wait until Monday?
No. A knocked-out adult tooth needs to go back in its socket as soon as possible, ideally within an hour. Put it back yourself if you can, or keep it in milk, and call right away. If no dentist can be reached, go to the ER.
Will the pain get worse if I wait?
It might, or it might ease. Neither tells you the infection is gone. Get the tooth checked at the first opening.
If you're in Tracy or southwest Minnesota
Emergency Dentist in Tracy is at 212 3rd St Ste 4, Tracy, MN 56175. Our office is closed Friday through Sunday, but the phone is answered 24/7: call (507) 555-0142 and the answering service holds Monday's 7:30 AM opening for you. We're open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, with same-day appointments for callers. See how it works on our same-day dentist page or read about knocked-out tooth care.
The $539.47 figure is an estimated maximum, not a fixed fee. It covers a limited emergency exam, one dental X-ray and a CBCT (3D) scan if the dentist needs one. Your actual charge depends on the imaging you need, and a CBCT scan is not always necessary. Treatment is charged separately and explained before any work starts.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for an exam by a licensed dentist.