What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Quick steps for common emergencies, and when to call.
In a dental emergency, act quickly and call your dentist right away. For a knocked-out tooth, keep it moist and see a dentist within the hour. For a broken tooth, severe toothache, or lost crown, rinse, manage swelling, and get in for a same-day exam. Call McElroy Smiles at (760) 621-8700
What counts as a dental emergency?
Some dental problems cannot wait. Call us right away for:
- A knocked-out or loose tooth.
- A severe toothache, or swelling in the face or gums.
- A broken or cracked tooth, especially with pain.
- A lost filling or crown that leaves a tooth sharp or sensitive.
- Bleeding that does not stop.
What should I do for a knocked-out tooth?
Time matters most here. Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root, and rinse it gently if it is dirty. If you can, slip it back into the socket; if not, keep it in milk or beside your cheek. Then get to a dentist within the hour, which gives the best chance of saving the tooth.
How do I manage pain until I am seen?
For a toothache, rinse with warm salt water and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed. A cold compress on the outside of the cheek eases swelling. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gum. These steps hold you over, but they are not a substitute for being seen.
When should I go straight in?
Severe pain, swelling that is spreading, a knocked-out tooth, or uncontrolled bleeding all mean you should be seen right away. We keep same-day emergency appointments open. Call us at (760) 621-8700 and we will get you in, often the same day.
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A knocked-out or loose tooth, severe toothache, facial or gum swelling, a broken tooth with pain, a lost crown leaving a sharp tooth, or bleeding that will not stop are all dental emergencies. When in doubt, call us and we will help you decide.
Often, yes, if you act fast. Handle it by the crown, keep it moist in milk or in the socket, and see a dentist within an hour. The sooner you are seen, the better the chance of saving the tooth.
Yes. We keep same-day emergency exams available so you are not left in pain. Call us at (760) 621-8700 and we will get you in as quickly as we can.
