Emergency Dentist – Alhambra, CA

How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies

Firstly, the best thing you can do is call our dental office right away. By seeking out professional help as quickly as possible, you’ll allow our team to schedule an appointment immediately so we can minimize the pain and fix any damage before the situation becomes worse. Secondly, there are a few things you can do on your own as well to improve the chances of saving a tooth. A few simple tips include:

Toothaches

Thoroughly clean around the tooth by flossing and rinsing to dislodge any debris that might be stuck and causing the pain. If the problem persists, it may be due to an infection or crack in the enamel, in which case you should take some ibuprofen and apply a cold compress.

Chipped/Broken Tooth

Try to gather as many pieces of the tooth you can find and put them in a safe container. A cold compress can help reduce any pain or swelling and be sure to cover the remaining tooth in case it has a jagged edge. You can use dental wax or sugarless gum to do this, both of which can be found at your local pharmacy.

Knocked-Out Tooth

It’s possible to replant a fully dislodged tooth, but only within a few hours of the accident, so you need to move fast! Find the tooth, rinse it off while NOT touching the root, and be sure to keep it wet until we can see you. To do this, you can place it back into its socket, hold it between the cheek and gums, or put it in a container with milk or saltwater.

Lost Filling/Crown

While this type of problem might not cause any pain initially, it’s still wise to have a broken restoration repaired relatively quickly to ensure the tooth doesn’t develop any decay or damage. Try to put the restoration back into place until we can fix it—a little dab of toothpaste should help it remain steady.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

By far, the best thing you can do to prevent most dental emergencies is simply practicing consistent oral hygiene at home and get regular checkups. In the majority of cases, dental emergencies are the result of a relatively minor problem going untreated for a very long time, and these practices will stop that from happening. Other things you can do include wearing a mouthguard whenever you play sports and not munching on hard items like ice, popcorn kernels, pens, pencils, or fingernails.

The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies

Every single dental emergency is different from individual to individual, so our treatment recommendations are always different as well. Because of this, urgent dental care can vary widely in cost, but generally, addressing a problem quickly is better than waiting and allowing it to become worse. To help make this kind of service more affordable, we accept most dental insurances and even have our own Membership Plan.

Emergency Dentistry FAQs

Even with all the information provided on this page, you may still have some questions about how our emergency dentists can help you when you need us most. We want to eliminate any fear or uncertainty you may be feeling when a dental emergency occurs so that you know exactly what to do. Here are some common questions we get from our patients and our responses to them. If you have others that aren’t discussed here, we invite you to reach out to us and ask.

When Should I Go to the Emergency Room?

When you’re in the middle of a dental emergency, especially if you’re experiencing a lot of pain, going to the emergency room can seem like a smart idea. However, most ERs just don’t have the equipment and training to manage most dental issues. In fact, ER doctors can prescribe pain relievers and antibiotics, but you’ll still need to visit our office for actual dental treatment. Unless you have a broken jaw bone or other more serious facial trauma, you should turn directly to our dental experts instead of the ER.

What Should My First Move Be in a Dental Emergency?

In most scenarios, one of the first things you should do is call our practice. We can get you on our schedule on the very same day, and our team will be able to advise you so that you have the best chances of saving your natural tooth.

Will I Need a Root Canal?

Without examining your ailing teeth, it is difficult to say what treatment you may require. Root canal therapy is necessary when the sensitive pulp of the tooth becomes vulnerable to bacteria, which can occur due to painful decay, a deep crack, or a break. If we recommend root canal therapy, you can be sure that our team will make sure you feel completely at ease throughout the entire process.

When Would a Tooth Need to Be Extracted?

Depending on the extent of the damage to your tooth, we may need to remove the tooth entirely. This option is usually considered a last resort, but it may be the only or best solution if your tooth is too badly damaged or decayed to be repaired. Rest assured that we will do everything we can to save your tooth, but if extraction becomes necessary, we will ensure your comfort and discuss your replacement options.

Why Should I Do My Best to Prevent Dental Emergencies?

Perhaps you are considering waiting to see the dentist until you experience a dental emergency with the intent of saving money—but that’s a mistake! Not only does neglecting your dental health put you at a higher risk of feeling unnecessary pain, it actually costs you more to treat the problem down the road. Simple preventive steps can protect your teeth and your wallet and keep you smiling for the long term.