Our first priority is your comfort
A dental emergency such as an injury to the teeth or gums can be potentially serious. Ignoring a dental problem can increase the risk of permanent damage, plus can increase the need for more extensive treatment later on.
We have a multi-specialty practice that can solve any dental problem and we take emergencies immediately using the latest advanced dental methods, including gentle laser dentistry.
If you have a dental emergency, call us right away. One of our highly-experienced dentists will find the source of your pain and fix the cause on the same visit.
The Importance of Immediate Emergency Care
When a dental emergency arises, it’s important that you call or visit the experts at Rancho San Diego Dental immediately for diagnosis and treatment. You might not think emergency dentistry is necessary, but when you’ve suffered trauma to a tooth or other tissues in your mouth, delaying treatment could exacerbate damage.
In many cases, treating dental emergencies immediately can lead to positive outcomes. Even a tooth that has been knocked out could be salvaged and replaced, restoring function and appearance without the need for a false tooth.
While your first instinct may be to visit a hospital emergency room following an accident or injury that affects the mouth, you should see an emergency dentist as soon as possible to assess and treat trauma to the teeth or mouth. Our specialists have the knowledge and experience to save your teeth and prevent further damage. Don’t wait. A delay only increases the likelihood of tooth loss or other damage.
What to do for some common dental problems
- Toothache – Rinse your mouth out with warm water and with dental floss remove any particles of food. If you have a swollen mouth, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth.
- Dental abscess – Call us immediately as dental abscesses can lead to a serious infection if not treated right away. To ease the pain and to help draw the infection to the surface, rinse your mouth with a mild saltwater solution of ½ teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of water several times a day.
- Knocked out tooth–
- Try to place the tooth back in the mouth where it fell out, so it is level with other teeth. Bite down gently on gauze or a wet tea bag to help keep it in place. Be careful not to swallow the tooth.
- If the above step cannot be done, place the tooth in a container and cover with a small amount of whole milk or saliva.
- The tooth can also be carried between lower lip and lower gum or under the tongue.
- A tooth-saving storage device (Save-a-Tooth, EMT Tooth Saver) may be available at your dentist’s office. Such a kit contains a travel case and fluid solution.
- Loose crown – If a crown falls off try to slip it back over the tooth, first preparing the inside with over-the-counter dental cement, denture adhesive or even toothpaste. Otherwise, bring the crown with you.
- Lost dental filling– Seal the filling area with some sugarless gum or dental cement you can buy over the counter at the drug store.
- Broken tooth – Save the pieces if you can to bring with you. Rinse your mouth with warm water to get rid of any remaining small broken pieces. If there is bleeding or if you have pain, apply a cold compress to the area.
Emergency Dental Care Near Rancho San Diego
There’s a lot we can do to prevent a dental emergency from occurring, but sometimes disaster strikes even the most prepared and cautious among us. When that happens, it’s important to act swiftly in order to avoid permanent damage and mitigate the risk of any additional or more complicated issues developing down the road.
When you experience a traumatic dental injury or any other dental emergency, Rancho San Diego Dental will give you the emergency dental care you need. We won’t just provide you with top-quality treatment, we’ll do it with great care and compassion so you feel as comfortable as possible during what can be a scary moment for anybody.
If you’d like to learn more about our emergency dental care services, and about emergency dental care in general, keep reading for all you need to know.
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
When you hear the term “dental emergency” you may picture some awful accident or painful injury to the teeth and gums, but the truth is that the definition of the term extends well beyond that.
For something to be considered a dental emergency, it simply needs to be a situation in which you require immediate dental care in order to protect your teeth, your gums, and your overall oral health.
While a traumatic dental injury, such as damaged teeth or a knocked-out tooth, certainly qualifies as a dental emergency, it can also be something as simple as an unexplained toothache or a missing filling.
Common Types of Dental Emergencies
There are a number of different instances in which you should seek out emergency dental care. Some are obvious, while others are not.
Below are the most common dental emergencies, along with an explanation for why you should get to an emergency dental clinic as soon as possible if you ever experience one.
Unexplained Toothache
A toothache can occur for a variety of reasons, but in general you should be able to identify that reason fairly quickly. In the event that you suddenly find yourself with a significant toothache and there’s no apparent cause, you should take it seriously and seek out an emergency dentist.
Swelling of the Mouth or Jaw
If you were recently hit in the mouth or jaw and it caused some swelling, that’s probably not a cause for emergency dental care, unless there was any other kind of damage that fits somewhere on this list.
However, if you find that your mouth or jaw suddenly swells for no particular reason, then you’re most likely in need of an emergency dentist.
Swollen or Bleeding Gums
One of the earliest signs of gum disease is when your gums become swollen and/or bleed easily. Although that’s something you should consult your dentist about, it’s probably not that urgent. When your gums swell and begin bleeding on their own, however, it’s time for emergency dental care.
Something Stuck in Your Teeth
On top of driving you crazy, food or any other object that becomes stuck between your teeth can lead to a whole host of dental issues, including tooth decay, tooth infection, or even shifting of your teeth. If there’s something between your teeth and nothing you do gets it out, reach out to your dentist as soon as possible.
Damaged Teeth
A cracked or chipped tooth is more vulnerable to decay and infection, which means you need to have it treated as soon as you can. This is particularly true if the crack or chip is a large one.
A Damaged Crown
A damaged crown can do a lot more than just make it difficult to eat on that side of your mouth. The tooth beneath the crown is compromised and can easily break or become infected, which means a lot more trouble than a quick visit to the dental emergency clinic. If your crown is damaged, don’t put off seeking immediate dental care.
A Lost Filling
It may not seem like a big deal, but your tooth is very vulnerable when it loses a filling, and you run the risk of damaging it or incurring a number of other issues if you wait to address it. Reach out to an emergency dentist as soon as possible.
Tooth Abscess
If you have a tooth abscess, chances are you’re already seeking emergency dental care. However, the more stubborn among you should know that it is absolutely a serious situation that should be tended to as soon as possible.
An abscess is an indicator of significant infection, and it could potentially spread throughout your body and cause serious issues.
Visit an emergency dental clinic as soon as possible.
Knocked-Out Tooth
When you have a tooth knocked out, your best course of action is to seek emergency dental care as soon as possible. Not only will this help you avoid further complications and to deal with the pain and discomfort, but your emergency dentist may actually be able to put your tooth back in the socket and save it.
Common Causes of Dental Emergencies
Knowing how these dental emergencies most often occur may help you avoid them. Pair caution with things like protective gear and mouth guards in the proper situations, and you’re much more likely to stay out of the emergency dental clinic than someone who was not so prepared.
Below are some of the most common causes of dental emergencies:
- Car accidents
- Bike accidents
- Sports-related injuries
- Accidents on the job
- Tripping and falling
It’s not just high-impact accidents that can cause significant damage to the teeth and gums, though. Biting down on certain foods or objects at just the right angle can send you to the emergency dentist as well. Be cautious when eating anything hard, and try to avoid chewing on anything that isn’t food.
In Need of an Emergency Dentist?
When you experience a dental emergency, emergency clinics can provide immediate care. Contact Rancho San Diego Dental by giving us a call or going online to schedule your appointment.
