Dental emergencies
Severe tooth pain, swelling, or a tooth knocked out or broken. During office hours, call the office closest to you and say you are in pain. The team looks for the soonest opening at either office.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- trouble breathing or swallowing
- swelling that is spreading toward your eye or down your neck
- a high fever with facial swelling, or you feel very unwell
- a serious injury to your face, jaw or head, or bleeding that will not stop
Do not wait to reach us first.
- During office hours
- Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm; Friday, 9 am to 4 pm
- Call Mountain View 650-691-0999Call Saratoga 408-252-5700
- After hours, if you have been treated here
- Call the office where you were treated.
- After hours, if you have not been seen here
- Call your general dentist. If you cannot reach them and it cannot wait until morning, go to an emergency room or urgent care.
A knocked-out adult tooth
- Hold it by the crown. Do not touch the root or scrub it.
- Rinse briefly if dirty and put it back in the socket if you can.
- Otherwise keep it moist in milk or saliva.
- Call your dentist or either office right away. The American Association of Endodontists advises being seen within 30 minutes.
- If you cannot reach a dentist right away, go to an emergency room and bring the tooth.
Severe pain or swelling
Throbbing pain, pain that keeps you awake, or swelling in the gum or face can mean infection. Call the same day. If swelling affects your breathing or swallowing, or is spreading toward your eye or neck, call 911 or go to an emergency room.
A broken or cracked tooth
Save any pieces and call. Sharp pain on biting can signal a crack. About cracked teeth
A tooth pushed in or out
Do not force it back. It needs to be repositioned and stabilized. About injured teeth
Staying comfortable until you are seen
- Rinse with warm water for sore teeth and gums.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed.
- Hold an ice pack against the outside of your cheek.
- A numbing gel with benzocaine can help; use it as the package directs.
- Avoid very hot or cold food and drinks, and do not chew on the sore side.
- A warm heating pad can ease jaw pain.
- If a broken tooth has a sharp edge, cover it with a little dental wax or cotton to protect your cheek and tongue.
Emergencies that do not hurt
Some problems need attention even without pain. A cracked tooth may not hurt at first but can damage the nerve over time, and a small bump or pimple on the gum that comes and goes is often a sign of infection. Broken fillings, a lost crown, and swollen or sore gums should also be checked promptly.
Not sure what your symptoms mean? Our tooth pain guide explains the most common kinds of tooth pain and what to do about each.
Questions people ask us
Can I be seen today?
Call as early in the day as you can and tell the team you are in pain. They look for the soonest opening at either office, Mountain View or Saratoga, and the first visit is about getting you comfortable.
What if it happens after hours?
If you have been treated here and have a problem after hours, call the office where you were treated. If you have not been seen here, call your general dentist. For trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward your eye or neck, a high fever with facial swelling, or a serious injury to the face, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Should I call my dentist first?
Your general dentist knows your history and can advise you. Many emergencies are referred to an endodontist the same day, and you are also welcome to call either office directly.
Relief starts with a call
Call the office closest to you. If you are in pain, say so when you call, and the team will look for the soonest opening at either office.
Request an appointment-
Mountain View
100 West El Camino Real, Unit 67
-
Saratoga
18988 Cox Avenue, Suite D