Emergency Dental Care in Southern California

We encourage you to seek treatment at Cunning Dental Group if you experience the following signs of a dental emergency:

• Severe pain. Immense tooth pain in the mouth is a sign of a dental emergency.
• Bleeding in the mouth. Persistent bleeding indicates an emergency.
• Missing tooth.  Immediate care and treatment for a missing tooth can save surrounding teeth.
• Loose teeth.  A loose tooth, even one that does not cause pain, is a serious problem.
• Infection. Tooth infection or an abscess (a painful collection of pus) in the mouth can be life-threatening, and treatment is crucial. Swelling of the gums and/or around the face often accompany a serious oral infection.

Generally, any dental problem that requires same-day treatment to relieve intolerable pain, stop bleeding, save a tooth, or treat a severe infection is considered an emergency.

Some dental problems may not be considered urgent emergencies. For example, a broken tooth calls for emergency care if the fracture is extremely painful, or in a worst-case scenario, has left sharp fragments that can cause injury in the mouth. If the chipped tooth does not hurt, immediate attention may not be required. However, make sure to contact Cunning Dental Group as soon as you can so our staff can assist you.

Our dental practice in Montclair, CA is here to help in case of the following dental crises:

• Knocked-out tooth. An accidental hit to the face could quickly turn into a dental emergency, leading to a knocked-out tooth. In this situation, you need to save the tooth. Place it in a sealed container filled with saturated milk or saltwater. Get to one of our dentists in Montclair within the hour to increase your chances of possibly saving the tooth.
• Damaged crown or bridge. While an injury to the face can damage a dental crown or dental bridge, biting something hard or eating sticky foods can also harm these dental devices. Visit our office as soon as possible to address these issues.
• Swelling and abscess. A dental abscess can occur at any time, especially after an injury to the face. A definite dental emergency, our immediate care is necessary.
• Persistent bleeding. Whether big or small, a trauma in the mouth that continues to ooze blood is a straightforward indication of a dental emergency. Place a soft cloth over the cut, and apply light pressure for at least 15 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop, visit the emergency room or our office.
• Toothache. As mentioned, when a toothache is excruciating to the point where you cannot eat, drink, think, or relieve the pain with medication, it is best to visit our office in Montclair.
• Extruded (partially dislodged) tooth. If your tooth is loose or displaced from its socket in the gum area, see us right away. Until you reach our office, soothe the pain by applying a cold compress to the outside of the cheek or mouth, adjacent to the affected area.
• A broken jaw. Although a broken or dislocated jaw does not always affect the teeth, it can have devastating effects on your ability to eat, speak, and breathe. Medical attention is absolutely necessary. Visit the emergency room if you suspect a broken jaw.

Some precautions you can practice to avoid accidental injury to the teeth are:

• Never use your teeth to cut or open things.
• Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports and recreational activities.
• Avoid chewing ice, hard candy, and popcorn kernels — all of which can crack a tooth.
• Stay proactive in having routine checkups.