Emergency Dental Care in Poway, CA
Emergency Dentistry
Dental emergencies can arise unexpectedly and in various forms. Whether it’s an injury to the oral facial area, a sudden flare-up of a longstanding issue, or the onset of unexplained pain, swift action is crucial. At Pomerado Family Dental, conveniently located in Poway, CA near Ramona, Rancho Bernardo, Scripps Ranch, 4S Ranch, and Mira Mesa, we understand the urgency of your situation. Our priority is to provide prompt and effective urgent dental care to alleviate your discomfort and prevent any potential repercussions to your oral health, function, and overall well-being.
There are many reasons to seek emergency dental care, including severe toothaches, chipped or fractured teeth, a dental abscess, impacted teeth, loose or broken fillings, lost or dislodged crowns, broken dentures and more. While the pain of a toothache is one of the more common reasons that patients come to our dental office for emergency dental care, we also promptly treat emergencies that are not necessarily painful, like crowns that have been dislodged and broken dentures that leave embarrassing gaps in one’s smile.
Dental emergencies can happen at any time – not just during regular office hours. That is why Dr. Sarju Patel and the team at Pomerado Family Dental in Poway, CA, are happy to offer emergency dental services.
When to seek an Emergency Dental Care
When you experience a dental issue, it can be hard to know whether you should seek treatment immediately or if you can wait until regular office hours to schedule an appointment. Here are some of the conditions that we consider a dental emergency:
Toothache
A toothache is not always an emergency- but it should be taken seriously since it could indicate a bigger problem or lead to bigger problems if ignored. If you experience toothache pain, it’s important to contact us so we can determine if you should come in immediately or if you can wait. In the meantime, try the following to deal with toothache pain:
- Floss around the affected tooth to remove any food particles that could trigger pain
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Take an OTC pain reliever- do not place aspirin on the affected area
- If you have swelling, use a cold compress
Broken/Chipped/ Cracked Tooth
Broken/chipped/cracked teeth are one of the most common dental injuries. Most of the time, this situation is minor, but emergency treatment is necessary to prevent infection and save the tooth. In the meantime, you can:
- Rinse with warm water and determine if you have any pain, temperature sensitivity, or rough edges
- Use a cold compress to reduce swelling
- Find the piece of the tooth that was broken off, if possible- and visit the dentist as soon as possible.
Loosened /Knocked out tooth.
If a child has a primary tooth knocked out, apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Do not try to put the tooth back in the socket, as you could damage the permanent tooth under the gum. Contact the dentist as soon as possible.
On the other hand, if a permanent tooth is knocked out, you’ll want to contact the dentist as soon as possible. If you can get to the dentist within 30 minutes, the tooth may be salvageable.
First, find the tooth. When you pick it up, avoid touching the root. Do not scrub or remove tissue from the root and do not use cleaners or dry the tooth.
The tooth must stay moist. Therefore, if possible, place the tooth in the socket. If not, hold it in your mouth between your cheek and gums. If this isn’t possible, place the tooth in a small amount of milk.
Broken Jaw
Lost Filling
While a lost filling may not necessarily be a dental emergency, it does need to be addressed as quickly as possible. This is because, without the support of the filling, the tooth is more susceptible to breaking/cracking. Also, when a filling falls out, the nerves inside the tooth could be exposed, which leads to additional issues.
Lost Crown
Emergency Dentist in Poway
Dr. Patel at Pomerado Family Dental graduated from UCLA Dental School in 1995. Since that time, he has become a member of many professional dental organizations. If you have a dental emergency, he can help you get it under control and get back to your life.
Why Choose Pomerado Family Dental for Preventive Dental Care in Poway, CA?
Emergency Dental Care FAQs
The team at Pomerado Family Dental understands that dental emergencies can occur at any time, which is why we offer emergency dental services. However, it’s important to understand that not every dental issue is an emergency. Below, we will address some of the most common questions we hear when it comes to dental emergencies:
What is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is a situation involving sudden/severe injury, infection, or pain in your teeth, mouth, or jaw requiring immediate attention. Most dental emergencies require immediate treatment. Some of the most common signs you are experiencing a dental emergency include:
- Extreme pain/swelling in the mouth
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- Severe toothache
- Broken/cracked teeth with obvious nerve damage
- Facial trauma resulting in severe pain and/or deformity
What happens at an emergency dental visit?
During your visit, we will start by getting your pain under control. Then, Dr. Patel will evaluate your condition to determine the best course of action. Depending on the situation, you may need an extraction, bone graft, root canal, bridge, or crown. We will also give you some advice for managing your condition and preventing issues in the future.
What if I have dental anxiety?
Many of our patients worry that the treatment will be worse than their emergency. If this is the case, we offer sedation options. Sedation allows you to relax while we work on your teeth, and you won’t feel a thing.