What to Do in a Dental Emergency in Walnut Creek

Dental emergencies have a way of happening at the worst possible time. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can make a real difference, sometimes even in whether a tooth can be saved. Here is a calm, practical guide.

First, the one thing to remember

For most dental emergencies, call our office as early in the day as you can at (925) 935-1933. Being there for patients in pain is something we have done for the Walnut Creek community since 1989, and many urgent problems can be treated right in our office.

For severe swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, or significant facial trauma, treat it as a medical emergency and call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

A knocked-out tooth

Time matters most here. Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root. Gently rinse it without scrubbing. If you can, place it back in the socket and bite softly on a clean cloth. If that is not possible, keep it in a cup of milk. Then call us immediately. A tooth has the best chance of being saved when it is re-implanted quickly.

A bad toothache

Rinse with warm water and gently floss around the tooth to dislodge anything trapped. A cold compress on the outside of the cheek can ease swelling. Do not place aspirin directly on the gum, which can burn the tissue. Call us so we can find the cause, since a lingering toothache often signals an infection that needs prompt attention.

A broken or chipped tooth

Save any pieces if you can, rinse your mouth with warm water, and use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Call us to have it evaluated and repaired before the damage gets worse.

A lost filling or crown

If a crown comes off, keep it and bring it in; sometimes it can be re-cemented. Avoid chewing on that side. Over-the-counter dental cement can temporarily protect the tooth until you reach us.

The bottom line

When in doubt, call. We would much rather hear from you early and reassure you, or get you in quickly, than have you wait in pain. Save our number in your phone now: (925) 935-1933.