Although you never expect it to happen to you, a dental emergency can occur at any time and without any warning. In fact, 1 in 6 Americans will face one this year. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. When the unexpected strikes, it makes all the difference in the world to have a trusted emergency dentist in Los Angeles to turn to. At Westside Dental Associates, Dr. Latner is always here to give you the prompt care you need. If you encounter a dental emergency, we’ll stop your toothache and save your smile, so don’t wait to give us a call!
How We Handle Dental Emergencies
When facing a dental emergency, don’t head to your local emergency room. Visiting your local ER for a dental emergency will likely cost you a great deal more time, money, and headache than needed. Instead, contact our office right away. From there, here’s what you can expect:
- We’ll schedule a same-day appointment. We always do everything we can to see emergency patients as quickly as possible, often on the same day they call our office.
- You’ll receive personalized first-aid instructions. Next, our experienced team will walk you through the steps to manage your emergency until you can see us.
- See Dr. Latner for an emergency dental exam. Your Los Angeles emergency dentist, Dr. Latner, will examine you right away and work on alleviating any serious pain you may be in.
- We’ll review all your treatment options with you. Dr. Latner will fully explain which treatment(s) he recommends moving forward with and will work with you to create a custom treatment plan that works best for you.
- You’ll get the fast, professional care you need. Whether you need a root canal, a dental crown, a tooth extraction, or something else entirely, our experienced team will get to work right away protecting your teeth and repairing your smile.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Bleeding, severe pain, swelling, and a broken or knocked-out tooth are all clear indicators that you have a true dental emergency on your hands. When swelling will not go down, bleeding is continual, pain is intensifying, or a tooth that was there a second ago is no longer, it’s time to call us right away. Certain injuries such as a fractured or broken jaw need immediate medical attention, so you’ll need to head straight to your local emergency room for these situations.
But even if you’re not experiencing these exact indicators, it’s always best to call us and explain your symptoms if you’re concerned or in pain. We can then determine if you need to see the dentist as soon as possible or if it can wait. Either way, we will happily walk you through the steps to care for your dental problem while at home. Below, you’ll find some important information regarding the most common dental emergencies we handle.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies
There’s no specific amount you can expect to pay without first having a consultation. The cost is determined by your treatment plan. Dr. Latner will provide you with an estimate and discusses your payment options, like using your dental insurance or CareCredit to restore a healthy smile without breaking the bank.
If you or a loved one is experiencing severe dental pain or a significant oral injury, don’t wait. Contact our office for an appointment. We are here to help.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
We understand that dental emergencies can happen when you least expect them. But just like any type of emergency, there are precautions you can take to better prepare yourself if your tooth begins to ache, or you suffer an oral injury. Below, Dr. Latner has included a few tips to keep in mind if you want to avoid a dental emergency, lower your overall dental care costs, and ensure your smile stays intact for many years to come.
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Don’t Wait to Get the Care You Need
If your teeth are damaged in any way, no matter how minor they might be, don’t hesitate to give our dental office a call. When a tooth is damaged, it only breaks down further the longer you go without receiving treatment. For example, a tooth with a minor amount of decay will continue to break down until it needs a dental crown or root canal treatment. The sooner you get a problematic tooth taken care of, the lower your risk of an actual dental emergency occurring will become.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home
Always brush twice a day using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush for at least two minutes at a time. Floss daily, ideally before bed, to remove plaque and tartar from the hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. On top of your oral care routine, you should be visiting our office at least once every six months to have your dental exams and professional teeth cleanings completed.
Be Mindful of Your Diet
Diet is just as much of a factor that influences your oral health as your at-home oral care. For example, those with cavities should not be consuming foods containing large amounts of sugar. While it’s fine to indulge once in a while, whether it be ice cream or candy, the trick is to not make it a habit. Take note of how you consume certain foods and beverages as well. It helps to drink soda through a straw, for example, to redirect contact with your teeth. You’ll also want to be careful about how you eat certain foods. Don’t bite down too hard, especially if eating popcorn, peppermints, or nuts. This could easily result in a broken tooth.
Protect Your Pearly Whites
Do you play high-contact sports, such as football, hockey, basketball, martial arts, or field hockey? If so, you need to have the right protective gear to avoid having your teeth chipped, cracked, or knocked out. With a custom-made mouthguard, you can reduce the harm caused by sporting activities, which are among the most common causes of dental emergencies.
Additionally, if you find yourself waking up with sensitive teeth or a sore jaw, you could be grinding or clenching your teeth in your sleep. If this is the case, a nightguard needs to be worn throughout the night.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
We sincerely hope that you never have to deal with a dental emergency. However, if you do, we’ll stop your toothache and save your smile as quickly as possible. Dental emergencies come with a lot of questions, including everything from “How did this happen?” to “What do I do next?” and everything in between, which is why we encourage you to call us right away no matter what type of symptoms you’re dealing with. In the meantime, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions we get about dental emergencies below so you can learn more about how to handle them.
How Long Should I Wait to Call My Dentist?
It’s important to keep in mind that your teeth can’t heal themselves like the rest of your body. While a bruise on your shin will fade away with time and a cold will run its course, dental damage will simply continue to get worse with time. If you’re experiencing any kind of pain or damage in your mouth, you should call us right away. We’ll help you evaluate your situation over the phone to determine whether or not you need to come in for an emergency appointment. Don’t feel shy or embarrassed about calling us if you’re unsure if your situation requires urgent care, because it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Should I Go to the ER or My Dentist?
Any life-threatening situation should be treated at your local emergency room as soon as possible, including:
- A broken or dislocated jaw
- Bleeding that doesn’t stop after 10-15 minutes
- Swelling in the mouth that’s hindering breathing or swallowing
For all other dental emergencies, you’ll likely save a tremendous amount of time, money, and hassle by giving us a call instead of going to an emergency room. Not only are ERs typically very busy, but they oftentimes don’t have the equipment or trained staff to perform dental procedures. On the other hand, our experienced team will do everything we can to see you as quickly as possible and get your oral health back on track.
Do I Need to See a Dentist If My Chipped Tooth Doesn’t Hurt?
In short, yes! Even though your chipped tooth doesn’t hurt, it needs to be repaired as quickly as possible. Remember: enamel cannot rebuild itself. The longer you leave your chipped tooth untreated, the higher the risk of further, more extensive damage. In some cases, bacteria may be able to enter the tooth and infect the pulp. Postponing seeing us for a chipped tooth can make the difference between needing a simple dental bonding treatment or a root canal.
Do I Have to Keep My Appointment If My Toothache Goes Away?
Typically, toothaches don’t just go away on their own. If your painful tooth suddenly stops hurting or goes numb, it’s more likely that the problem has actually gotten worse, not better! Severe dental pain is often caused by an infection inside the tooth. If the bacteria at the root of that infection seriously injures the nerve inside your tooth, it may seem like the tooth suddenly has stopped hurting. However, the issue is still present and getting worse, so you need to see us right away to protect as much of your smile as possible.
Toothaches
Is my toothache a dental emergency? From mild to severe issues, there are many reasons why a toothache may occur. While most cases are non-urgent, yours is considered a dental emergency if you experience any of the following:
- Severe pain that lasts more than 24 hours
- Sharp pain when biting down
- Extreme sensitivity that lasts more than 30 seconds
- A small bump has developed near the painful tooth
- Signs of a serious infection (i.e., swelling, fever, fatigue)
How you should handle a toothache: Floss around the tooth or rinse with salt water to try and remove any food particles lodged between your teeth. Over-the-counter painkillers can reduce your discomfort, but don’t apply aspirin directly to your gums or it might burn the tissue.
How we treat toothaches: Our team will need to perform a detailed examination to identify the root cause of your toothache. That way, we can figure out which treatment is needed to get your oral health back on the right track. Some common services include fillings, crowns, antibiotics, prescription mouthwash, gum disease treatment, root canal treatment, and tooth extractions.
Learn More About Root Canal Treatment
Learn More About Tooth Extractions
Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment
Chipped Tooth
Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? Although you can wait a few days to seek treatment for a chipped tooth, it’s still a good idea to get it addressed as soon as possible. Otherwise, it’s left susceptible to further damage and possible infection.
How you should handle a chipped tooth: If there’s any bleeding, apply a piece of gauze for 10 minutes or until it stops. Hold a cold compress near your cheek if you notice any swelling. The tooth is likely to be sensitive and weakened, so avoid chewing with it or exposing it to hot or cold foods and beverages.
How we treat chipped teeth: Oftentimes, a chipped tooth can easily be fixed with a tooth-colored composite resin. However, you may want to consider getting a veneer if you’ve chipped a highly visible tooth.
Learn More About Dental Bonding
Learn More About Veneers
Cracked Tooth
Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Absolutely! Even a small crack in the enamel can put your tooth at further risk of infection or damage. You should always contact your dentist immediately after sustaining a blow to the face, especially if you experience pain or sensitivity.
How you should handle a cracked tooth: Carefully rinse your mouth with warm water to wash away any harmful bacteria. If needed, you can also apply a cold compress and take over-the-counter pain medication to ease your discomfort. While you wait for your appointment, you should avoid eating or chewing on the injured side of your mouth.
How we treat cracked teeth: Most cases of cracked teeth are addressed with a custom-made dental crown. If the damage is minor enough, we may be able to repair it using a tooth-colored composite resin. However, if the tooth is damaged beyond repair, an extraction may be the ideal solution and you’d need to explore your replacement options (i.e., dental bridges, implants, dentures).
Learn More About Dental Bonding
Learn More About Dental Crowns
Learn More About Tooth Extractions
Sensitivity to Hot & Cold
Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? This isn’t usually a dental emergency, but tooth sensitivity could indicate a bigger issue that needs to be treated. If your sensitivity is new, lingering, or sharp, give us a call so we can check it out.
How you should handle sensitive teeth: To reduce discomfort, you may want to avoid foods that are particularly cold, hot, spicy, acidic, and sugary. Maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help to reduce discomfort.
How we treat tooth sensitivity: Before we can treat your sensitivity, we need to find out what’s causing it. We will begin by examining your smile, then we may recommend specialized dental products, prescription toothpaste, or a dental filling. Other treatment options include fluoride treatment, a nightguard for bruxism, gum disease treatment, or root canal therapy.
Learn More About Fluoride Treatments
Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings
Learn More About Nightguards for Bruxism
Learn More About Gum Disease Therapy
Learn More About Root Canal Therapy
Knocked-Out Tooth
Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? Yes, a knocked-out tooth needs to be addressed immediately for any chance of saving the tooth. If this happens to you, give us a call right away!
How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: If you can, find your tooth and rinse it with warm (not hot) water. If possible, place your tooth back into its socket. Your tooth must remain moist. If you’re unable to put it back, place it in a container of milk or saliva. You shouldn’t use water because it can cause additional damage to the root surface cells of the tooth.
How we treat knocked-out teeth: If you can see us quickly, we will attempt to reimplant your tooth. Your dentist will do this by carefully repositioning it in the socket and splinting it to the neighboring teeth. This way, it will remain stationary so it can heal. If we aren’t able to save your tooth, we will discuss tooth replacement options, like dental implants.
Learn More About Dental Bridges
Learn More About Dentures
Learn More About Dental Implants
Lost Filling or Crown
Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? This is something that you should address at your earliest convenience. Even if it doesn’t hurt, your tooth is being left vulnerable to additional damage. Fillings and crowns are made to last a long time, but they eventually need to be replaced.
How you should handle a lost filling or crown: If possible, find your filling or crown and rinse it with water. Try to put it back in its place with dental wax. This can be found in the dental section of your local drugstore. You should avoid chewing on this side of your mouth. Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth clean.
How we treat lost fillings or crowns: If your restoration is still in good shape, we might be able to place it back. However, we will also determine the reason it came out in the first place to prevent it from happening again. If needed, can provide you with a new restoration.
Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings
Learn More About Dental Crowns
Broken Denture
Is a broken denture a dental emergency? A broken denture is typically a dental emergency. After all, wearing it will cause injuries to your gums, soft tissues, and remaining teeth. You’d thus want to call your dentist to avoid such effects. They’ll fix the appliance if its artificial teeth and base are damaged.
How you should handle a broken denture: For starters, don’t wear the broken denture in the first place. Doing so will worsen the damage or further harm your mouth. Next, visit our office at once for denture repairs. Trying to fix things yourself won’t help the matter.
How we treat broken dentures: Our office has several ways to fix broken dentures. With one method, we may use composite resin to fill in a small chip or crack. We could also readjust the denture’s fit. If there’s no other option, our dental team can also replace the device with a new one.
Learn More About Dentures
Learn More About Dental Implants
Learn More About Implant Dentures
Loose Tooth
Are loose permanent teeth a dental emergency? Yes – such teeth are severe health hazards. They may fall out and cause smile gaps if left alone. Should that happen, your general oral health would greatly decline.
How you should handle loose permanent teeth: The first step you should take is to call our office. Next, avoid touching the tooth or eating hard or sticky foods. Lastly, make sure to clean your mouth by swishing some warm water.
How we treat loose permanent teeth: Of course, we’ll try to save your tooth before pursuing other options. These initial choices can range from a dental splint to similar services. However, it may be that the tooth can’t be saved. We’d have to extract it in that case and then fill the resulting gap with a dental implant.
Learn More About Tooth Extractions
Learn More About Dental Implants
Gums, Lips or Tongue Injury
Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency? If the injury is severe enough, damaged mouth tissue can qualify as an emergency. Your wound may have cuts that bleed a lot and need quick care.
How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: Firstly, rinse the injury with water. This step washes away debris and bacteria. When the debris and bleeding are gone, you can manage any pain or swelling with a cold compress.
How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: Depending on the wound, our dental team could stitch it closed and keep it clean. That said, you should visit your local ER if the bleeding won’t stop within 10 minutes of injury.
Learn More About Mouthguards
Jaw Pain or Clenching
Is jaw pain a dental emergency? While jaw pain can affect your everyday life, it isn’t usually a dental emergency. Still, it can slowly become one if the ache is persistent and intense.
How you should handle jaw pain: The most important thing is to follow the instructions our office gives you. This guidance may include taking pain relievers, applying ice packs, and more. If your jaw is dislocated or broken, visit the local ER instead of a dentist. Our dental team will gladly fix your smile issue afterward.
How we treat jaw pain: We may suggest a custom nightguard if your pain stems from bruxism (i.e., teeth grinding). With this item, you would keep your facial muscles from tensing up and putting pressure on your jaw.
Learn More About Nightguards for Bruxism
Learn More About Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Something Stuck Between Teeth
Is something stuck between the teeth a dental emergency? An object stuck between teeth is rarely a dental emergency. However, it can become urgent if it causes intense pain. You should call our office in that case, as we’ll help you confirm how and when to settle the problem.
How you should handle something stuck between the teeth: Remember to not use tweezers, toothpicks, or other sharp objects to dislodge debris. Instead, you could floss near the affected area and do a vigorous mouth rinse.
How we treat something stuck between the teeth: Dr. Latner is trained and equipped to remove foreign materials from between teeth. So, let him help out if you can’t dislodge the affecting object
