Altadena
Emergency Dentist

Am I Experiencing an Emergency?

Common Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency is any oral health condition that is causing you serious discomfort, pain, or bleeding that you can’t treat on your own. Dental emergencies include:

• Oral lacerations and injuries
• Loose, knocked-out, and chipped teeth
• Persistent toothaches
• Pulled-out dental work such as fillings and crowns
• Food or other items that are stuck and lodged in your teeth.

If you think your situation counts as an emergency, you’re probably right. So don’t wait. Get in touch with us right away for an emergency appointment. The sooner you get help, the sooner you can restore your smile and get back to your day-to-day life.

Be Prepared

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

The first thing you should do is contact Twenty28 Dentistry and let us know that you’re coming in for an appointment. Conditions like a knocked-out tooth require treatment within 1-2 hours to be able to save your tooth and eliminate the need for prosthetic replacement. 
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Next, recover your tooth or dental work if it has fallen out. A knocked-out tooth should be grasped by the sturdy top (crown) not the fragile bottom (root). Rinse your tooth off with warm water and gently try to put it back into the socket. If this is not possible, place it in a container or baggie of cold milk. Remember to bring your dental work or tooth with you to your appointment.

If you have time, you can also treat pain, bleeding, and discomfort. Over-the-counter medicines like Aleve (naproxen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) can help with pain. Clean gauze or cotton balls can be used to absorb blood, and icing your mouth externally will help with swelling.

It is important to prioritize coming to Twenty28 Dentistry above all else. Don’t waste time treating yourself. You need a long-term solution from Dr. Kum or Dr. Cheng.