San Diego Emergency Dentist

San Diego Dentist Association members dedicate their careers to helping alleviate dental problems so you can look and feel your best with a fully functional mouth and teeth. They understand that your San Diego dental emergency is a true emergency and needs immediate treatment. Reach out to an SDDA member when you’re looking for an emergency dentist, and you’ll find friendly people ready to help you.

Before reaching out, however, you may want to read these emergency dental FAQs:

What do I do if I think I have a dental emergency?

Remaining calm is the most important thing you can do for your health and peace of mind. You can’t think clearly if you panic and may make bad decisions, doing more damage. If the problem seems bad enough that you need to see a dentist right away, reach out to a San Diego emergency dentist for an urgent appointment. Otherwise, consider scheduling a visit for a later time. If there is extreme pain, facial trauma or bleeding, you may want to visit an emergency room.

Is a bad toothache I’ve had for a while an emergency?

It may be. A lingering toothache may be a sign that something much bigger is happening. There is no reason to panic or seek emergency treatment in most cases, but if your toothache continues for more than 3 days, you need to visit a dentist. While it may not be serious and probably won’t need emergency treatment, toothaches usually don’t get better on their own and must be treated for them to go away. If you’re ever in doubt about what to do, call an SDDA dentist for advice about whether you should get immediate treatment or schedule an appointment.

Does my chipped tooth that doesn’t hurt need treatment?

Even if your chipped tooth isn’t causing you pain, it’s always best to have it checked out. Without pain, it probably isn’t an emergency, but it does need to be checked for internal damage that you can’t see. If there is damage that goes deep into the tooth, it could let in bacteria that may cause even more damage and eventually pain. A good dentist can also offer cosmetic solutions for making that chipped tooth look like it did before – or better.

If the chip has just happened, rinse your mouth with slightly warm water and then apply a cold compress as close to the area as possible to reduce swelling. Applying this compress to your face can dramatically reduce pain from the chip and whatever trauma caused it. If you have the piece that is chipped off, keep it in a wet towel and take it to the dental office when you go.

Is a broken or cracked tooth an emergency?

You may need immediate treatment for a broken or cracked tooth because of the pain. Only a dental professional can determine how bad the situation is and whether the tooth can be saved. As soon as the break or crack happens, rinse your mouth with warm water to remove any fragments and apply a cold compress to your face to reduce swelling. Keep any part of the tooth that you find in a wet towel to take to the dental office when you have your appointment or emergency treatment.

What should I do if a tooth is loose or falling out?

As always, don’t panic, which could lead to bad decisions and worsen the situation. In this case, you need to contact a dentist for emergency treatment. If the tooth has come all the way out, make sure it is clean and attempt to put it back into the socket gently if that is possible, holding it only by the crown (the top of the tooth) and using a clean washcloth or gauze to hold it to prevent getting any germs into your gums. If it needs to be cleaned, gently rinse it in cold running water, but do not scrub it or remove any of the tissue that might still be attached. These actions will keep it viable and healthy until you get to the dental office.

If it’s not possible to put the tooth back in the socket, you need to keep it moist and at body temperature. Perhaps the best way to do this is to put it under your tongue or between your gums and cheek, being careful not to swallow it. This seems strange advice, but it works very well.

A San Diego Emergency Dentist Is Waiting

There are many cases when you may need to get emergency dental treatment in San Diego that are not covered here. If you feel it is a dental emergency, contact one of the San Diego Dentist Association members for information on urgent treatment. Not all damaged teeth can be saved, but these dentists will do their best and give you the best chance of saving a damaged or painful tooth.

For every dental situation, there’s something that can be done. The smart choice is to contact an SDDA dentist for an appointment or emergency treatment. There are no better Southern California dentists, and you can be sure you’re in good hands when you trust one of these professionals.