If you need urgent dental care, you will have to make a quick decision. We will go over these in more detail, but here are some situations in which you should call us immediately:
- Acute tooth pain
- A knocked-out tooth or loosened teeth
- Persistent pain, swelling, or bleeding after an injury
We set aside time to help people who need emergency dental care. Our Pleasanton dentist office should be able to give you immediate attention or direct you to an appropriate care provider.
If you have an emergency, please call Mona Gokani, DDS, at (925) 462-1464. If you're still not sure, read on for more information.
Knocked-Out Teeth
If you have a knocked-out tooth, you absolutely need an emergency dental appointment. The first step is to call your dentist and set up the first available time for a re-implantation attempt. After that (or during the call):
- Find the tooth and rinse it gently with clean water (do not scrub or rub),
- gently wrap the tooth in saline-soaked gauze and place it in your container, and then
- end the phone call and head immediately to your dentist.
If you don't have saline solution, cow's milk is another option. You can also put the tooth in between your gums and your cheek and hold it there gently.
Loose Teeth
You should schedule an emergency dentist appointment as soon as possible if you have loose teeth. On your way to the dentist, here's what you can do:
- Attempt to gently reposition teeth that are leaning inwards or outwards
- Stabilize and immobilize the tooth by packing a clean, moist tissue or gauze around it
Chipped and Broken Teeth
Chipped and broken teeth can sometimes be restored if you act quickly. After you call and make an emergency appointment, take the following actions:
- Collect any tooth fragments that you can find and place them in a handkerchief or gauze moistened with saliva or water
- Rinse your mouth with warm (but not hot) water and proceed immediately to the dentist
Cuts, Bites, and Punctures
Not all cuts are cause for alarm. Here are some indications that you need emergency dental care:
- Bleeding that does not stop after 15 minutes of pressure with gauze or a clean cloth
- Pain or swelling that does not go away after cleaning the wound or applying an ice compress
Dental First Aid
Being prepared can help mitigate the damage caused by dental emergencies. Here are some things that you can add to your first aid kit along with your dentist's phone number:
- Saline solution
- Distilled or bottled water
- Sterile gauze
- Handkerchief
- Small container for a knocked-out tooth and tooth fragments
Most of these things should easily fit into your existing first aid kits — you don't need a large amount of water or saline. We'll go over how to use everything in the following sections.
Act Quickly
Hopefully, this information has helped you decide whether you need emergency dental care. If you have any doubt at all, call our Pleasanton dental office at (925) 462-1464 to describe your situation and get a personalized recommendation.