Emergency Dental Care
Did your kid lose a tooth at soccer practice? Did one of your fillings fall out on Christmas Eve? Whatever your emergency may be, we’re here to provide you with fast, quality treatment to manage your pain, fix the issue, and get you back to smiling as soon as possible.
Our Primary Focus is Your Oral Health
Accidents happen when you least expect them. That’s why Dental Express offers emergency dental services at all six of our locations in San Diego, CA. Whether you bit down too hard on a solid piece of food or your little one chipped their tooth at basketball practice, we’re always ready to service your smile at a moment’s notice. Depending on your dental emergency, you may experience pain and heavy bleeding, or you may have no symptoms at all. But if one or more of your teeth are damaged in any way, it’s essential to see your San Diego dentist as soon as possible. There may be unseen damage that only a dentist can identify.
When a dental emergency strikes, don’t wait to be seen. At Dental Express in San Diego, we’re open six days a week and happily accept walk-ins and same-day appointments. Whatever your emergency may be, we’re ready and equipped to take care of your smile.
Dental Emergencies
TOOTHACHES
Toothaches can happen for a variety of reasons. Cavities, infections, and bruxism (grinding teeth) are all potential causes of toothaches. If you experience them frequently, make an appointment at one of our six locations in San Diego. Visiting our office can help you rule out decay or infection as a possible cause. We can see you same-day or as a walk-in if you should find yourself unexpectedly experiencing discomfort.
BITTEN TONGUE OR CHEEK
If you bite your tongue, cheek, or lip, be sure to clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress to help reduce any swelling. Depending on the severity, you may want to visit our office or go to the emergency room.
KNOCKED-OUT TOOTH
Getting a tooth knocked out can be frightening. It’s essential to remain calm if this happens and ask someone for help if you need it. Knowing what to do in these situations can mean the difference between losing and saving your tooth. Here’s what to do in case one of your teeth gets knocked out:
First, locate the tooth. Then, gently rinse the tooth under running water if it appears dirty. Please do not aggressively scrub the tooth or remove any tissue fragments. If you’re able, try to re-insert the tooth and hold the tooth in place while you head to the dentist. Another option is to place your tooth in a cup of milk and bring it with you to the office. Timing can be critical so try to get to the office right away.
CRACKED TOOTH
If you crack your tooth, immediately rinse out your mouth with warm water. You may apply a cold compress to the face to help keep any swelling down. Be sure to visit our office as soon as possible for further treatment.
The best treatment for dental emergencies is prevention. To avoid having a dental emergency, be sure to follow precautions such as wearing a mouth guard during sports and physical activities and avoiding hard foods that can chip or break your teeth.
What to Expect
During your exam, we’ll assess the severity of your issue. We may need to take x-rays to get a better idea of the extent of the damage. Once we understand the situation, we’ll sit down to discuss treatment options with full transparency.
Whatever your emergency may be, we promise to provide timely, quality care to set you up for a speedy recovery. Dental emergencies are stressful enough. Our team helps to remove the hassle of handling these situations by seamlessly guiding you from diagnosis to treatment to full recovery.
Recovery
Recovery from a dental emergency can be a complicated process, but we’re committed to guiding you through every step of the way. Based on the severity of your dental emergency and the treatments provided, we’ll give you instructions to help you recover. To reduce any pain or discomfort, we may write you a prescription for antibiotics or pain medication. Also, you may need to come in for an additional treatment or follow-up appointment.
During your appointments, don’t hesitate to ask any questions you have about your recovery or prevention of future emergencies. If you need something like a custom mouthguard to wear while playing sports, let us know. We’re happy to help keep your smile safe!
Speaking of keeping your smile safe, maintaining your daily dental health routine is crucial after an emergency. At your annual checkups, we’ll monitor your recovery and make sure everything is healing up properly.
Insurance Coverage
When you have a dental emergency, the financial aspect of things can add to the stress of the situation. At Dental Express, we do our best to take the hassle out of the process and make your treatment affordable. If we have to fight with the insurance company on your behalf, we’re happy to do so. After your treatment, we’ll assess your coverage and out-of-pocket costs and find the best way to apply your benefits. We also accept many different payment methods for anyone without dental insurance and offer low-interest medical financing to make your emergency treatment more friendly to your budget.
