Emergency Dentist in 4S Ranch & Rancho Bernardo

As with any injury or medical concern, dental emergencies can be scary. However, accidents happen; knowing what to do during a dental emergency can make a significant difference, especially in the case of damaged or knocked out teeth.

The best thing you can do is remain calm and give us a call. The outcome of most dental emergencies depends on taking quick action; that means seeing us as soon as possible. Please call us if you think you are experiencing a dental emergency. We will do everything we can to see you as quickly as possible.

Also note: if you are experiencing intense bleeding that cannot be controlled with pressure, or any other life threatening injuries, please contact emergency services. If we are not open or available when you call, please contact your nearest emergency room. For more, see our disclaimer on dental emergencies at the bottom of this page.

Importance of seeking emergency dental care quickly

Whether it’s you or a loved one, the most important thing you can do during a dental emergency is to stay calm and seek emergency dental care quickly. With quick action, we can help improve the likelihood of a positive outcome, including:

Saving teeth. While necessary in some circumstances, tooth extraction isn’t ideal; it leaves a gap in your tooth which must be filled. If left untreated, a missing tooth can potentially lead to bone loss in your jaw, infection, and shifting teeth. Dental implants, bridges, or other appliances can fill this gap, but they can be an added expense. We’d much prefer to save your tooth. This can be possible, even if it is badly damaged or entirely knock-out; however, time is of the upmost importance.

Eliminating pain and discomfort. Don’t try and tough it out or mask ongoing discomfort with topical remedies. Pain stemming from a genuine dental emergency rarely goes away on its own. Timely care addresses the root cause of your dental pain.

Save dental appliances and hardware. Dental emergencies that include hardware (braces, bridges, implants, crowns, etc.) need to be addressed quickly in order to repair (or replace) the appliance and prevent further damage to surrounding teeth and gums. For example, broken metal braces can leave exposed wire with sharp edges. Most dental applicants are expensive; timely treatment can mean the difference between a repair or complete replacement.

Solve dental issues and prevent them from getting worse. Dental emergencies can get worse the longer they are left untreated. Problems can multiply, with a seemingly minor problem becoming a series of significant problems. For example, a minor chip in a tooth may hold for a time before completely breaking. In turn, this can open you up to losing the tooth entirely, severe bleeding, pain, and infection – all of which could be avoidable.

Emergency dental care in 4S Ranch and Rancho Bernardo

Dental emergencies sometimes look differently than we expect them to. Examples of dental emergencies are wide ranging, and include everything from a broken tooth to damaged implant.

For a more complete list of dental emergencies, see our bulleted list below. Note that a dental issue can be considered an emergency, even if it is not on the list. Bleeding, damaged hardware (braces, implants, etc.), and persistent pain can all be considered as dental emergencies. When in doubt, give us a call so we can better assess the situation.

How do I know if I’m experiencing a true dental emergency?

Not every dental issue is necessarily an emergency. It’s important to know the difference between a dental issue that can wait until the next day (or appointment) and a genuine dental emergency that needs urgent treatment. In order to help determine if you’re experiencing a true emergency, ask yourself the following questions:

Am I bleeding? Bleeding that does not stem with applied pressure is likely a sign of a dental emergency. Furthermore, determining where bleeding is coming from can sometimes be tricky. Dental gauze can help in the short-term, but if bleeding persists you should contact us.

Am I in severe or significant pain? Ongoing pain isn’t just unpleasant; it can be a sign of a dental emergency that needs treatment.

Have I lost or damaged a tooth? Lost teeth should always be considered a dental emergency. Quick action on your part can help preserve a damaged or missing tooth. Keep knocked-out adult teeth moist, using water, saliva, or milk. If possible, place the tooth back in its socket without touching the root. You can also keep the tooth between your cheek and gums. Contact us as quickly as possible.

Is my tooth loose? An impact to the jaw or teeth isn’t the only cause of loose teeth. Sometimes, loose teeth can indicate a more serious underlying problem. Adult teeth are permanent, meaning adults do not naturally lose teeth as children do.

Do I have an infection? A cut or other infection in your mouth can escalate into a larger problem. Do not wait to see if the infection will subside on its own; give us a call.

How much does emergency dental care cost?

With dental emergencies, our first priority is to assess and stabilize the situation. However, many worry about the impact an unexpected dental emergency will have on their financial well being. Sometimes that worry sets in early and prevents patients from seeking the dental care they need.

Can I make do without going in for treatment? This bleeding will stop on its own, won’t it?

These are natural and understandable questions, but it’s important to keep your overall dental health in mind. Dental emergencies rarely resolve themselves; often early treatment can fix the problem, limit damage, and result in faster recovery. On the other hand, putting the problem off can lead to worse pain, damage, and outcomes.

The best time to plan for a dental emergency is before you have one. If possible, think through different scenarios and make decisions about what you would do before you experience an actual emergency. Educating yourself about different types of dental emergencies – and potentially ones you’d be most likely to experience – takes some of the pressure off in the moment.

When in doubt, seek treatment for your dental emergency.

Worried about payment or insurance? Our team will work with you to understand your insurance coverage and financing options.

Need a Walk In Dentist for Dental Emergency Services?

Do not try to ride out a dental emergency in the hopes it will improve or resolve itself. Dental emergencies can go turn from mild to moderate, and moderate to major quickly if not dealt with in a timely manner by a professional.

Timely treatment can stop pain and help prevent further complications and injuries. Give us a call and we’ll see you as quickly as we can.

We treat the following dental emergencies:

• Mild to severe toothaches
• Swollen or painful jaw
• Swollen or sore gums
• Bleeding tongue or lip
• Infected tooth
• Cracked, chipped, or broken tooth
• Knocked-out tooth (lost or salvaged)
• Loose or lost fillings
• Damaged crown, implant, or bridge
• Exposed nerves
• Infections

Common treatments we offer for dental emergencies:

• Root canal treatment and therapy
• Tooth extraction
• Dental fillings
• Antibiotic treatments
• Re-implantation

While we’d prefer to see you under better circumstances, emergencies don’t always wait for your next scheduled appointment. If you think you’re experiencing a dental emergency, please call us right away. We will do everything we can to assist you.

Important disclaimer about dental emergencies

While we can diagnosis and treat dental emergencies, we are not an emergency room.

You should contact emergency services and/or go to the emergency room immediately for life threatening injuries. You should also visit the emergency room if we are unable to answer your call or see you quickly.

Scenarios in which you should visit your local emergency room include, but are not limited to, if you experience swelling from a toothache that has spread to other parts of your face (especially your eye or below your jaw line), have bleeding that can’t be controlled with moderate pressure, or have a high fever. For most people, a high temperature is equal or higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit.

Call us if you are experiencing a dental emergency

Don’t wait. Call us at (858) 947-6284