Emergency dental services treat the teeth, gums, and jaw acute injury and illness to restore function and aesthetics while preventing complications. Dentists offering emergency dental services are important when severe tooth pain strikes. Their services are also useful for individuals who break or lose a tooth, as seeking care right away can potentially restore their smile.
Emergency dental services are available at Oak Tree Dental in Poway and the surrounding area. When you or a family member has a dental emergency, seek help immediately. Medical care can often help patients avoid complications such as infection and difficulty speaking or eating. Call us at (858) 748-2101 to explore your options.
Common dental emergencies
According to the American Association of Endodontists, emergency dental care is appropriate when a person: See how to book an appointment.
- Breaks, cracks, or chips a tooth because of an impact or fall
- Loses a tooth because of an impact or fall
- Experiences severe pain because of a decayed or infected tooth
Some damage or trauma to teeth may be an emergency that requires immediate restorative dental care. This could include replacing a filling, installing a temporary crown, or performing a root canal. An emergency dentist may be able to give you emergency advice over the phone. For example, If an adult tooth is knocked out of place, put it in milk and then get to a dentist as soon as possible.
“Some damage or trauma to teeth may be an emergency that requires immediate restorative dental care.”
When to visit an emergency dentist
Not all oral problems require emergency dental care, so patients must examine their situation before making an appointment. Most minor issues can wait a few days for a scheduled appointment. However, there are several reasons to seek emergency dental care:
- Restorative emergencies: Accidents can occur at any time, and in the event of a missing or chipped tooth, it is best to seek immediate care. Restorative emergencies require dental care to preserve teeth, so they remain functional. Dentists can then replace teeth to restore the patient’s smile.
- Severe gum pain: According to WebMD, patients should visit the dentist if minor tooth, jaw, or gum pain lasts more than two days. However, those who are in extreme pain should visit the dentist immediately. Pain that persists despite taking over-the-counter medications, such as Aleve®, Tylenol®, or Advil®, could indicate a serious infection or gum disease.
- Tooth abscess: Tooth abscesses are caused by pockets of pus that develop underneath teeth. In addition to being extremely painful, a tooth abscess can lead to a life-threatening infection if left untreated. Seeking immediate care allows dentists to drain the pus that causes the pain before the problem becomes more severe.
- Lost fillings: When patients lose cavity fillings or crowns, the opening is susceptible to infection. Replacing lost crowns and fillings eliminates pain and reduces the chance of infection setting in. Waiting to receive this treatment could elevate patients’ pain.
“…there are several reasons to seek emergency dental care.”
Chipped, broken, and missing teeth
For a broken or chipped tooth, save the pieces of the tooth if possible. Rinse the mouth completely with warm water and use clean gauze to slow bleeding. A cold compress can help with swelling or pain. The dentist will attempt to restore the broken tooth or recommend a crown or implant depending on the extent of the damage. This type of injury may require a root canal to repair damage to the tooth's pulp, leading to infection.
The Oral Health Foundation recommends that if a tooth is completely knocked out in a fall, fight, or accident, hold it by the crown and rinse the root with warm water. Replace the tooth in the socket above the gum if possible. If it will not stay in place, save it in a small container of milk and see the dentist as soon as possible. Avoid handling the tooth when it is not necessary to do so. Patients have better chances of saving the lost tooth if they receive treatment within 60 minutes of the injury.
“The dentist will attempt to restore the broken tooth or recommend a crown or implant depending on the extent of the damage.”
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Google: Emergency Dentist in Poway, CA
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Google: Go to an emergency benefits instead of the ER
There are instances where one would go to the emergency room for a dental issue. When dealing with trauma to the face and mouth that could be life-threatening or lead to severe disability, a hospital ER is the place to go. Jaw fractures, dislocations, or swelling in the mouth area that affects breathing are examples of situations in which one should proceed to the nearest emergency room.
While an ER can help to treat medical injuries and issues, there are limits in what they can do for a dental emergency. Thus, people with damage to their teeth should see a dentist who has the proper equipment and training. Most ERs do not have a dentist on staff. They often provide pain medications and antibiotics and tell the patient to see a dentist as soon as possible. Also, a visit to a hospital emergency is costly. The best thing to do in the case of a dental emergency is to call a dentist right away.
“While an ER can help to treat medical injuries and issues, there are limits in what they can do for a dental emergency.”
Questions answered on this page
Q. When should I seek emergency dental care?
Q. What should I do while waiting to get to the emergency dentist?
Q. How can I tell if I have a dental emergency?
Q. What should you do if you break a tooth?
Q. Should you go to the ER for a dental emergency?
People also ask
Q. Is increased sensitivity to temperature a sign that endodontic surgery is necessary?
Q. What is the treatment for a cracked tooth?
Q. Do I need a tooth extraction?
Q. What are some of the reasons one might need a tooth extraction?
What to do while waiting for emergency dental treatment
If a patient is suffering from any kind of dental trauma, the first thing to do is contact the dentist for instructions. Treatment options vary depending upon the type of problem. For a lost filling or crown, patients can use a small piece of sugarless gum to cover the opening temporarily. Mouth pain can sometimes be alleviated with over-the-counter medications, while extensive dental trauma may require patients to pack their mouths with gauze.
“If a patient is suffering from any kind of dental trauma, the first thing to do is contact the dentist for instructions.”
Frequently asked questions
Protect your teeth and gums when playing sports by using a mouthguard made to fit your mouth precisely. Do not chew hard items such as candy and ice that can damage teeth. Do not use your teeth as tools (to open a package, for example), which can also cause breakage and injury. Keep a first aid kit with gauze and acetaminophen in case of a dental injury.
If you experience pain or sensitivity when the teeth are exposed to heat, cold, or pressure, a cavity could be the cause. This symptom is also common among those who have recently had a dental procedure. However, it does not constitute an emergency unless the pain becomes severe.
Sharp pain that occurs when you bite down often indicates a broken or damaged tooth. If pain occurs to the gum area within 30 seconds or so of eating hot or cold food, this could indicate damage or infection to the pulp of the tooth. Both of these situations require immediate dental care.
Minor damage to the teeth is often painless and is not necessarily an emergency. Chips and cracks that affect only the tooth's enamel can often be filled, polished, and smoothed. However, you should see the dentist right away to prevent further damage. A crack or break in the tooth becomes more urgent when the root is exposed, which can cause severe pain.
A loose permanent tooth is a dental emergency. If left untreated, the tooth could fall out entirely. Gently push the tooth back into alignment and see a dentist right away for reattachment.
Dental terminology
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
A dental filling involves restoring the structure of the tooth by using metal, alloy, porcelain or plastic to fill the tooth.
Facial cellulitis is a condition in which an infection from an abscess or plaque in the teeth causes pain and spreads throughout the face.
An impacted wisdom tooth is a tooth that does not erupt from the gums properly that can cause pain and become infected without professional extraction.
Irreversible pulpitis is when the pain in the tooth occurs spontaneously or continues to hurt after the patient removes the hot/cold substance that was causing pain. Normal pulpitis will cease hurting directly after removing what is causing the pain.
Lateral luxation is the displacement of a tooth that moves it in the wrong direction while it is still attached to the gums.
Pericoronitis is the inflammation of soft tissues surrounding a tooth that does not fully erupt from the gums and causes pain.
Learn more about how emergency dental care can help you
A dental emergency can be frightening, and it is important to seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Our practitioners can treat your problem to relieve mouth pain quickly. Call Oak Tree Dental at 858-748-2101 today to schedule an appointment in Poway.
Individual results vary. How long a treatment lasts, and how it looks and feels, depends on each patient.