Emergency Dentistry
Fix your broken tooth, get relieved from pain today
Do you have a dental emergency, like pain, broken or chipped teeth, or failed restorations? Call us. We are here to help!
Book an Appointment. Call (408) 371-1070
Emergency Dentistry in Los Gatos, CA
Oral injuries due to external trauma are quite common, especially among athletes and sportspersons. They can come out of nowhere and put the person in shock and severe pain. Most of us would panic in such situations without knowing what to do or whom to seek assistance from. In such situations, the pain would continue to increase, and if there is an open wound, patients end up losing a lot of blood.
We would never want anyone to go through such painful experiences. Hence, if you happen to have a dental emergency, reach out to us at the earliest, and we would ensure the injury is treated as soon as possible.
Common Dental Emergencies
Broken teeth: External trauma to the mouth could lead to cracked, chipped, or completely broken teeth. Such conditions can be very painful and lead to possible infections if left untreated. They could also cause severe pain and bleeding right after the injury, which can put you in a state of shock. We suggest reaching out to your dentist at the earliest to get the condition diagnosed and treated. Meanwhile, consider rinsing your mouth with water to get rid of the blood, broken pieces of tooth, and microbes. You may also place a piece of gauze near the tooth to control the bleeding and a cold pack on the cheek to reduce pain and swelling.
Injured soft tissues: A bruised or bitten lip, cuts on the soft inner lining of the mouth, etc., can cause a lot of pain and bleeding. A minor injury may heal by itself with time. But, if the wound is profound, it is best to get it diagnosed and treated by a dentist to avoid the risk of developing infections.
Avulsed teeth: An avulsed tooth can cause excruciating pain and profuse bleeding, as the blood vessels and nerves would be disturbed. Teeth that are completely uprooted from the socket can be put back in the mouth if you reach the dentist soon, preferably within an hour of the incident. If you find the tooth, please rinse it with water holding the crown only. Bring it along to the dentist’s practice keeping it in a glass of milk. Do not try to place it back yourself, as it could lead to unnecessary complications.
Failed restorations: Ceramic restorations could loosen, crack, or fall off if they aren’t done correctly or have been on the teeth for many years. The underlying tooth structure would be exposed to the microbes in the mouth due to this, which can lead to extreme sensitivity and infections. Hence, reach your dentist at the earliest to get the restoration replaced with a new one.
When to Contact a Professional
Sometimes, it may be difficult to determine if you are facing a dental emergency or if you can wait to receive help. However, it’s important to understand when to contact an emergency dentist in Los Gatos because it could make the difference between saving or permanently damaging and losing a tooth. The longer dental emergencies are ignored, the more involved and costly treatment will be.
Be sure to contact a dental professional right away any time you are experiencing the following:
- Abscess or infection
- Bleeding that won’t stop
- Severe pain
- Loose or lost tooth
How to Deal With a Dental Emergency
No matter what type of dental emergency you are facing, there are a few first steps you can take by yourself to start treating the problem and prevent any more damage.
Toothache
If you’ve been dealing with a toothache, painful gums or a swollen face, you could have an infection. To help keep your mouth clean, be sure to rinse it out regularly with warm water. To help manage the pain, you can take some pain medication. Just keep in mind that you don’t want to put medications, such as aspirin, directly on the painful areas in your mouth.
Broken or Cracked Teeth
For broken or cracked teeth, you also want to keep your mouth as clean as possible by rinsing it out with warm water. If you are able to locate your broken tooth, be sure to wrap it up in a wet towel to keep it moist. If you are experiencing pain and swelling, you can apply a cold compress to your face.
Knocked-out Teeth
If an entire tooth has been knocked out, you want to be sure to find the entire tooth. If it’s broken, carefully look around to find all of the pieces. When handling the tooth, make sure to hold it by the top instead of the root.
Rinse the tooth and any broken pieces with water, avoiding scrubbing it so that you don’t remove any tissue. Then, try to put it back into the socket. You can use some gauze or a washcloth to help insert it back in. If you cannot do so, or if your tooth has broken into several pieces, place all of the pieces into a container filled with milk. Other liquid options include some of your saliva or a saline solution.
Schedule Emergency Dental Treatment in Los Gatos Today
Facing a dental emergency in Los Gatos? Please reach us by scheduling an online consultation or calling us at (408) 371-1070, and we’ll guide you further.
