About Dental Emergencies:

If you are in San Diego and need dental emergency services, then please call our office for more information on how we can best serve you. We have a contact on our answer machine providing the cellular phone number of the after-hours covering dentist for our registered patients. 

We try to accommodate all Dental Emergencies immediately. Please contact us as early as possible so that we may accommodate you.

TOOTHACHES:

Clean the area around the tooth thoroughly with a toothbrush and floss. Often times trapped food in a cavity will cause acid release and lead to pain. If this is the cause of the discomfort, removing the food will diminish the pain. Rinse with warm salt water. DO NOT place aspirin on the sore area.!!! If the face is swollen place a cold compress and get to the dentist IMMEDIATELY!

CUT OR BITTEN TONGUE, LIP or CHEEK:

Apply ice to the bruised areas. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a clean gauze or cloth. If the bleeding does not stop within 15 minutes, take the child to a hospital emergency room.

KNOCKED OUT PERMANENT TOOTH:

1. Remain Calm!

2. Reinsert Fast!

-OR-

3. Place in Milk

4. See the Dentist Right Away!

Find the tooth and gently handle it by the top (crown). Avoid touching the tooth. Rinse the tooth but avoid vigorously scrubbing the root . Try to reinsert the tooth into the socket and have the child bite on a clean gauze to keep it in place. If you CANNOT reinsert it, place the tooth in a cup of milk and see the dentist IMMEDIATELY!

BROKEN BRACES OR WIRES:

If the broken appliance can be easily removed , take it out. If it cannot and there are sharp wires, cover these parts with a piece of dental wax or cotton. If the loose wire is stuck in the cheek, do not try to remove it. See the dentist immediately. Loose wires or broken appliances which do not bother the child usually do not require emergency care.

BROKEN TOOTH:

This is the most common of all Dental Emergencies. Rinse the dirt from the injured area with warm water. Place a cold compress on the area. Locate any pieces of the broken tooth and see the dentist immediately.

POSSIBLE BROKEN JAW:

If a fractured jaw is suspected, try to keep the jaws from moving by using a towel or handkerchief and take the child top the emergency room immediately.

BLEEDING FROM A BABY TOOTH THAT FELL OUT:

Fold and pack a clean gauze or cloth over the bleeding area. Have them bite down for 15 minutes and check. If the bleeding continues, continue biting for 15 more minutes. If it does not stop at this point, see the dentist immediately.

COLD/CANKER SORES:

Many people occasionally suffer from “cold sores” or “canker” sores. Usually over-the-counter medications will provide some relief. Sometimes these sores are the sign of serious infections. If they persist, see the dentist for a thorough evaluation.