Emergency Dentistry in Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach Dentistry is proud to offer same day dentistry for patients with emergency dental needs. Call us right away at (714) 964-8830 if you are in pain so we can fit you in immediately and follow the appropriate instructions below.
In an Emergency
Stay calm. Focus on stopping the bleeding and protecting the injured tooth or area.
Never take aspirin or ibuprofen for a dental emergency because they are anticoagulants which can cause excessive bleeding. To alleviate pain, take acetaminophen as directed on the packaging label.
Injuries to your teeth and gums can result in infection or other complications — so make sure you see your Dentist
Severe Pain
The most common causes are debris lodged under the gum line, a lost filling or crown, a cracked or broken tooth, or an infection. Only a thorough examination by your Dentist can determine the underlying cause of severe pain.
Until you see your Dentist, apply ice to the painful area for 10-20 minutes of every hour. To alleviate pain, take acetaminophen as directed on the packaging labe
Filling
If you found the filling, put it in a safe place and take it with you when you see your dentist.
To make your tooth more comfortable, fill the hole in your tooth with tooth wax or cement (available over-the-counter at your pharmacy). Do not use any household adhesives in your mouth.
Toothache
Clean your mouth out by rinsing thoroughly with warm water. Gently floss around the tooth to remove any food particles that may be trapped between your teeth or just under your gum line. If your tooth continues to hurt, see your dentist as soon as possible.
Pain, Swelling, or Abscess
See your dentist right away because gum pain or swelling can be the symptoms of an abscess (infection) that forms in gum tissue or in a tooth’s root and the area that surrounds it. There are many reasons why gums can swell, become painful or abscess. Only a thorough exam by your Dentist can identify the underlying cause.
If the abscess ruptures, you may experience a sudden rush of foul-smelling and foul-tasting fluid from the swollen or painful area. Rinse your mouth with warm water immediately.
Braces
For a day or two after braces or retainers have been adjusted, you may experience discomfort. To help alleviate discomfort, rinse your mouth with warm salt water or take acetaminophen as directed on the packaging label.
BRACKET KNOCKED OFF: Call your Orthodontist to describe the situation and schedule an appointment. If the loose bracket has rotated on the wire and is sticking out, attempt to turn it back into its normal position. Use dental wax (available over-the-counter at your pharmacy) to minimize the movement of the loose brace.
LOST WIRE OR LIGATURE: Schedule an appointment with your Orthodontist. If you found the rubber ligature, you may be able to put it back in place using sterile tweezers.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
It may be possible to reattach the pieces to your tooth – only your Dentist can tell you for sure. Please call our offices as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.