Emergency Dental Care

A dental emergency can happen at any time: a fall on the playground, a cracked tooth on a popcorn kernel, or a toothache that keeps you up at night. If you are in pain or have injured a tooth, call our north Fresno office at (559) 431-5544 and we will do everything we can to see you as soon as possible. What you do in the first few minutes can make the difference in saving a tooth.

Common dental emergencies

• Broken or cracked tooth or teeth
• Broken jaw
• Permanent tooth knocked out
• Object caught between teeth
• Severe toothache
• A lost filling or crown
• Swelling of the face or gums, which can signal an infection

What to do right away

Knocked-out permanent tooth

Pick up the tooth by the top (the crown), not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with water, without scrubbing. If you can, gently push it back into the socket and bite on a clean cloth to hold it. If not, keep it moist in a cup of milk or inside your cheek, and get to a dentist right away; the best chance of saving the tooth is within 30 minutes to an hour. Do not try to replant a baby tooth.

Broken or cracked tooth

Rinse your mouth with warm water and save any pieces. Use a cold compress on your cheek to reduce swelling, and call us. A broken tooth can often be repaired with bonding, a crown or, if the nerve is affected, a root canal.

Severe toothache

Rinse with warm water and gently floss to remove anything caught between the teeth. A cold compress on the outside of the cheek can help. Do not put aspirin or painkillers directly on the gums, which can burn the tissue. Persistent pain usually means a cavity or infection that needs treatment.

Object caught between teeth

Try to remove it gently with dental floss. Never use a sharp or pointed object, which can cut your gums or scratch the tooth.

Lost filling or crown

Keep the crown if you have it, and call us. Sugar-free gum or a temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can cover the area until your visit. Do not glue a crown back on yourself.

When to call 911 or go to the ER

Go to the emergency room or call 911 for a suspected broken jaw, bleeding that will not stop, swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, or a head injury. Facial swelling with a fever is also urgent.

After hours

If you experience a dental emergency that requires immediate attention after hours, call our office phone number and you will be given the phone number for the on-call dentist.

If you are unable to reach our office during an emergency, dial 911.

After your emergency visit

Many emergencies are resolved with a restoration such as a filling, crown or root canal. If a tooth cannot be saved, we will talk with you about replacing it with a bridge or a dental implant.

Most dental injuries can be prevented. A custom sports mouthguard protects teeth during games, and regular checkups catch cracks and decay before they become emergencies. Find our hours and directions on our Fresno office page, or request an appointment for a problem that can wait a day or two.