If you are experiencing a dental emergency in San Jose, California, contact AZ Dental at 408-437-1111 as soon as possible. Drs. Navdeep Aulakh, Parin Patel, Kevin Hashemi, Heidi Lee, Nipa Shetha, and Victoria Furman offer emergency dentistry to help you receive the treatments you need to quickly regain your oral health. We strongly encourage you to seek prompt attention, as the pain and problems caused during or by a dental emergency usually worsen if untreated, and can jeopardize your physical health.
We have provided basic information about some of the most common dental injuries to help you care for your oral health until you can meet with our dentists.
Avulsed (Knocked-Out) Tooth
Time is of the essence in replacing a knocked-out tooth. If you can replace the tooth back into the socket within one hour, there is a chance that the tissues will grow to support it again, preserving your original tooth.
When your tooth is knocked out, follow these steps:
- Call our practice immediately and make arrangements to meet with our dentists
- Pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse it under warm water. Do NOT touch the root.
- If possible, gently place it back in the socket. Otherwise, tuck it into your cheek pouch.
- If you cannot hold your tooth in your mouth, keep it moist by other means. A cup of saliva, milk, or water are all good options.
- Get to our office as soon as possible.
Our dentists will try to replace the tooth in its natural socket. Your tooth may reattach, but if it has been seriously damaged a root canal might be needed to restore it.
Lost Filling or Crown
Crowns and fillings often become loose due to decay in the tooth beneath the restoration, and are most likely to come loose or detach when you are eating. Your tooth may be more sensitive to changes in temperature and pressure after the loss of a restoration.
If your crown or filling is lost make an appointment with our dentists as soon as possible to have the damage corrected before your teeth can shift or sustain further damage. If you have your dental crown, keep it in a cool, safe place, as we may be able to reinsert it.
While waiting for your appointment, you can:
- Clean the crown and affix it to your tooth with dental cement (you can purchase this adhesive at a pharmacy).
- Smear the top of your tooth with cement to alleviate discomfort.
- Apply close oil to the tooth for pain relief.
Do NOT use any kind of glue to replace the crown on your tooth.
Our dentists will check to see if your crown still fits. If so, we will reattach it to your tooth. If not, we will clean the decay on your tooth and make you a new crown.
Cracked or Broken Teeth
Some types of cracks and fractures are relatively painless, but others result in extreme pain. If you have a cracked or fractured tooth, contact our office as soon as possible.
While waiting for your appointment, here are a few things you can do to take care of your cracked or broken tooth:
- If part of the tooth has broken off, rinse the fragment in lukewarm water.
- Apply gauze to any bleeding areas for 10 minutes, or until the bleeding stops.
- Use an icepack, cold compress, or a cold, damp dishtowel on your cheek to minimize swelling and pain.
- Cover the affected are with dental cement (available for purchase at most pharmacies).
- Use a topical pain reliever.
After examining your tooth, our dentists will recommend an appropriate treatment.
Dislodged or Loosened Teeth
Dislodged or loosened teeth can be saved – our dentists can reposition and stabilize the tooth, and if it remains in the mouth and is attached to the blood vessels and nerves, a root canal may not be necessary. If the tooth does not heal, our dentists may recommend a root canal.
Contact our practice immediately to make an appointment for your dislodged or loosened tooth. In the meantime, we recommend using an icepack or cold compress to alleviate swelling and discomfort. You may also use a mild pain reliever.
If you have questions or concerns about emergency dentistry, contact our office. If you have experienced a more serious injury, such as a broken jaw, we recommend that you visit the emergency room or your medical physician before seeking dental treatment. If your injury is life-threatening, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
