Dental emergencies can happen at any time, which is why we set time aside in our schedules to treat your situation as soon as possible.
If you're unsure what a dental emergency is, keep reading! We'll explore oral health emergencies and what you can do to mitigate symptoms while you await your appointment.
Common Dental Emergencies
Toothache and Gum Swelling
A toothache, even without gum swelling, is a dental emergency. We never want to leave you in pain!
Typically, toothaches (especially severe and ongoing tooth pain with swelling) are signs of a tooth root infection requiring root canal therapy.
Root canals are not painful. We anesthetize the treatment area and rely on image-guided technology to ensure gentle and precise root canal treatment.
Oral Injury
An oral injury can mean many things, but we want to hear from you as soon as possible if it's isolated to the mouth.
An oral injury may mean a sharp object lodged in the gum, an impact trauma to the tooth that is bleeding or causing pain, or other.
Broken Tooth or Restoration
A slightly broken or chipped tooth may not be an emergency if it is not causing pain. In some cases, it can wait until the next available appointment. A broken restoration can also wait sometimes, but it should be seen immediately if there is pain or swelling.
Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth needs timely intervention! We can sometimes reset the tooth into the socket if we see you within a few hours of loss.
Talking to the dentist about tooth replacement is essential if the tooth cannot be saved.
What to Do While You Wait for Your Appointment
You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever and apply an ice pack periodically for toothache or swelling. Warm salt water rinses may also relieve some oral pain.
If you have a traumatic injury not limited to the mouth, you should go to your local emergency room first. You can contact us after a medical doctor has cleared you.
For oral injuries, you may bite gently on sterile gauze to stop any bleeding. If you've knocked out a tooth, store it in a milk container to keep it viable until you see the dentist.
For Dental Emergencies in Lodi or Elk Grove, Contact Us
If you have a dental emergency or are unsure, contact a friendly dental team member for guidance.
We are happy to work with CareCredit and LendingClub and offer our own in-house plan for those who do not have dental insurance.