Emergencies
Contact UsFrom dental injuries to tooth pain and trauma, we provide same-day emergency care when your child needs prompt attention.
(949) 581-5800What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
Some situations should be evaluated as soon as possible to relieve discomfort and prevent the problem from getting worse.
Common pediatric dental emergencies include:
- Severe tooth pain
- Swelling of the gums or face
- A broken, chipped, or cracked tooth
- A knocked-out baby or permanent tooth
- Bleeding after an injury
- Dental abscess or signs of infection
- Sports-related mouth injuries
- A loose or displaced tooth after trauma
If you are unsure whether it is an emergency and you are a registered patient at our office, call our office at (949) 581-5800 and we will help you determine the next steps.
When to Go to the Emergency Room for a Dental Emergency
Most dental emergencies are best treated by a pediatric dentist. However, some situations require immediate medical care at an emergency room before seeing a dentist.
Go to the emergency room right away if your child has:
- Severe facial swelling, especially if it is spreading
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Uncontrolled bleeding that does not stop with pressure
- Serious facial or head trauma after a fall or accident
- A suspected broken jaw
- High fever along with dental pain or swelling
For other dental emergencies such as tooth pain, broken teeth, or a knocked-out tooth, contact your pediatric dentist.
Why Prompt Emergency Care Matters
The sooner a dental emergency is treated, the more options we often have to relieve discomfort and protect the tooth. Quick care can help reduce the risk of infection, prevent additional damage, and improve the chance of saving a tooth after an injury.
This is especially important for:
- sports injuries
- swelling or infection
- cracked teeth
- sudden severe pain
- trauma affecting permanent teeth
Same-Day And After-Hours Emergency Support
We reserve time in our schedule each day for dental emergencies so children can be seen as quickly as possible.
Our emergency support includes:
- same-day appointments whenever possible
- after-hours access through our on-call pediatric dentist
- guidance by phone before you arrive
This helps parents know what to do right away and helps us prepare for the visit before you arrive.
Common Emergency Treatments
The right treatment depends on the cause of the emergency and how quickly it is addressed.
Emergency care may include:
- Digital X-rays to evaluate the injury
- Treatment for cavities or infections causing pain
- Repair of chipped or broken teeth
- Tooth splinting after trauma when appropriate
- Tooth extraction if the tooth cannot be saved
- Pulpotomy or pulpectomy for deeper tooth pain
- Monitoring after sports injuries or falls
Our focus is to quickly address pain, protect your child’s oral health, and support healthy development with the most appropriate treatment for the situation.
Helping Your Child Feel Calm During An Emergency Visit
Emergency visits can feel overwhelming for both children and parents. Our team focuses on keeping the visit calm and supportive so you know what is happening at each step.
We explain what we are seeing, help your child feel comfortable, and move quickly toward the safest treatment plan for the situation.
Insurance
We are in-network with Aetna and Cigna and will gladly bill your insurance and help you maximize your benefits.
FAQs
What should I do if my child knocks out a permanent tooth?
Hold the tooth by the crown, avoid touching the root, and keep it moist by placing it in a clean container with milk, saline or saliva. Call your dentist right away.
Does a chipped baby tooth need emergency care?
It depends on how deep the chip is. A small chip that is smooth and not causing pain can usually wait for the next available appointment. If the tooth is painful, has a sharp edge, is bleeding, or you can see the yellow inner layer or pink/red nerve tissue, it should be evaluated as soon as possible.
When is facial swelling a dental emergency?
Swelling of the gums, cheek, or face should be treated urgently, especially if it is getting worse, painful, or associated with fever, as it may indicate infection.
Should I take my child to the ER for a dental emergency?
A pediatric dentist is usually the best first call for tooth pain, broken teeth, swelling, and dental injuries. Go to the ER first for severe facial trauma, trouble breathing, or uncontrolled bleeding.
What if my child has tooth pain at night or on the weekend?
Call our office even after hours. Our on-call pediatric dentist can help guide next steps and determine whether your child should be seen right away.
How soon should a broken permanent tooth be treated?
As soon as possible. Quick treatment helps reduce pain, lowers the risk of infection, and may improve the chances of saving the tooth.