Emergency Dentistry

We accept emergency patients Monday - Sunday! Call our office to schedule an appointment today.

At Stanford Family Dental in Menlo Park, CA, we understand that dental emergencies can happen at any time and often when you least expect it. Whether it’s a sudden toothache, a chipped tooth, or a knocked-out tooth, our emergency dental services are designed to provide you with prompt, effective care to manage these situations.

What is Emergency Dentistry?

Emergency dentistry refers to the immediate care and treatment provided to patients who experience urgent dental problems. These issues typically involve severe pain, trauma to the teeth or mouth, or sudden complications that require quick intervention to prevent further damage or complications.

Dental emergencies can vary in severity, from mild discomfort to life-threatening situations. In general, a dental emergency is any condition that:

• Causes significant pain or discomfort
• Poses a risk to your oral health (e.g., damage to teeth, gums, or jaw)
• Requires immediate attention to prevent permanent damage

At Stanford Family Dental, we are equipped to handle a wide range of dental emergencies with expertise and compassion. Our goal is to alleviate pain, prevent further complications, and provide long-term solutions to restore your oral health.

Common Dental Emergencies in Menlo Park, CA

Dental emergencies can arise in various forms, and knowing what constitutes an emergency can help you determine when to seek immediate care. Here are some of the most common types of dental emergencies we treat at Stanford Family Dental:

Toothaches

A toothache can range from mild to severe and may be caused by a variety of issues, such as tooth decay, gum disease, an abscess, or a cracked tooth. If you experience persistent or intense pain in your teeth, it’s important to seek prompt treatment to address the underlying cause.

Common symptoms of a toothache include:

• Persistent pain or throbbing in a tooth
• Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks
• Swelling or tenderness in the gums around the affected tooth

What to Do:

• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to reduce inflammation.
• Avoid chewing on the affected side.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers can help alleviate discomfort until you can visit the dentist.

Chipped or Broken Teeth

Accidents or trauma can cause teeth to chip, crack, or break. This can happen while playing sports, during an accident, or even from biting into something hard.

What to Do:

• Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area.
• If there is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze.
• Save any broken pieces of the tooth, as they may be reattached by the dentist.
• If you’re in pain, a cold compress can help reduce swelling.

Knocked-Out Teeth (Avulsed Teeth)

Losing a tooth due to an accident or injury is a serious dental emergency. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, immediate action is critical to save the tooth.

What to Do:

• Handle the tooth by the crown (the chewing surface) and avoid touching the root.
• Rinse the tooth gently with water (do not scrub it or remove tissue).
• If possible, place the tooth back into its socket or keep it in a container of milk or saline solution to preserve it.
• Seek emergency dental care immediately.

Lost Fillings or Crowns

If a filling or crown falls out, it can expose the underlying tooth, leading to pain and discomfort. This can also increase the risk of infection.

What to Do:

• If the filling or crown is still intact, save it and bring it to the dentist.
• If the tooth is causing pain, over-the-counter dental cement or wax can temporarily cover the area to protect it until you can see a dentist.

Abscessed Teeth

An abscessed tooth is a serious infection at the root of a tooth that can cause significant pain, swelling, and sometimes fever. An untreated abscess can lead to more severe complications, such as the spread of infection.

What to Do:

• Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
• Avoid chewing on the affected tooth.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed to alleviate discomfort.
• Seek immediate dental care to drain the abscess and treat the infection.

Soft Tissue Injuries (Gums, Tongue, or Cheeks)

Injuries to the soft tissues in your mouth, such as cuts to the gums, tongue, or inner cheeks, can be both painful and alarming. These injuries are often caused by trauma or accidents.

What to Do:

• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to clean the wound.
• Apply gentle pressure to the area with a clean cloth or gauze to stop the bleeding.
• If bleeding persists or the wound is large, seek emergency dental care.

Broken or Dislodged Braces and Wires

If you have braces or other orthodontic appliances, broken or dislodged brackets, wires, or bands can cause discomfort and lead to further damage if not addressed quickly.

What to Do:

• If a wire is poking into your gums or cheek, cover it with orthodontic wax or a cotton ball until you can see the orthodontist.
• If a bracket or band comes loose, save it and call your orthodontist to schedule an appointment for repairs. Contact us to learn more.

How to Manage a Dental Emergency Before You See a Dentist

While you should always seek professional care as soon as possible in the case of a dental emergency, there are several steps you can take to manage the situation in the interim. Here are some tips to help you manage common dental emergencies before seeing a dentist:

• Control Bleeding: For bleeding gums or soft tissue injuries, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze. If bleeding persists for more than 20 minutes, seek immediate care.
• Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help alleviate pain until you can see a dentist. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the affected tooth or gum, as this can cause damage.
• Cold Compress: Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek to reduce swelling and numb the area. This can help alleviate pain from toothaches, broken teeth, or soft tissue injuries.
• Avoid Using the Affected Area: If your tooth or mouth is injured, avoid chewing on the affected side to prevent further damage.
• Preserve Knocked-Out Teeth: If you lose a tooth, rinse it gently (if necessary) and place it in milk, saline solution, or your mouth (next to your cheek) until you can get to a dentist.

Types of Emergency Dental Treatments in Menlo Park, CA

At Stanford Family Dental, we offer a wide range of treatments for dental emergencies. Some of the most common treatments include:

Tooth Replantation (for Knocked-Out Teeth)

If a tooth is knocked out and re-implanted quickly (within an hour), there’s a chance it can be saved. We will carefully replant the tooth into its socket, stabilize it, and monitor it to ensure proper healing.

Root Canal Therapy (for Abscesses and Infections)

If you have an abscessed tooth or severe infection, a root canal may be necessary to remove the infected tissue and save the tooth. This procedure can alleviate pain and prevent the infection from spreading.

Fillings and Crowns (for Broken or Decayed Teeth)

If you’ve broken a tooth or lost a filling, we can repair the tooth with a new filling or crown. Crowns are designed to restore the function and appearance of the tooth.

Emergency Tooth Extractions

In some cases, a tooth may be too damaged or infected to save. In these cases, we may recommend a tooth extraction to prevent further complications. We will ensure that the extraction is as comfortable as possible and discuss tooth replacement options, such as dental implants or bridges.

Soft Tissue Repair

If you’ve injured your gums, tongue, or cheeks, we may need to suture the wound to help it heal properly. We’ll provide care instructions to ensure optimal healing.

Orthodontic Repairs

For broken braces or wires, we can repair or adjust your orthodontic appliances to minimize discomfort and prevent further damage to your teeth.

When to Seek Emergency Dental Care

If you experience any of the following, it’s time to seek emergency dental care:

• Severe pain that doesn’t subside with over-the-counter pain relievers
• A knocked-out tooth or significant injury to your teeth
• Persistent swelling, particularly if it’s accompanied by fever
• A tooth abscess or infection that is not improving
• Bleeding that won’t stop after 20 minutes of applying pressure

Conclusion

Dental emergencies can be stressful, but with the right care, many issues can be addressed successfully. At Stanford Family Dental in Menlo Park, CA, we are here to provide immediate, compassionate care when you need it most. Whether you’re experiencing a toothache, a chipped tooth, or a more serious injury, our experienced team is here to help you through it.

If you or a loved one experiences a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to contact us at (650) 328-2072. We offer same-day appointments for emergency care to ensure you get the treatment you need when you need it.

Remember, when in doubt, it’s always better to seek professional care sooner rather than later to prevent further complications. Your oral health is important, and we’re here to help you protect it. Visit Stanford Family Dental - Dr. Jamie Paychev DDS at 150 Middlefield Rd #101, Menlo Park, CA 94025, or call (650) 328-2072 in case of dental emergencies.