Emergency Dentist – San Jose, CA

Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? Toothaches can certainly be a sign of a dental emergency, especially when accompanied by other symptoms. If you’re also experiencing swelling, fever, or difficulty chewing, alongside your tooth pain it may indicate an infection or abscess that requires immediate attention. A persistent toothache, especially one that lasts more than a couple of days, should also be treated as a dental emergency to prevent it from worsening.

How you should handle a toothache: Start by rinsing your mouth with warm salty water to clean the area. Floss gently around the affected tooth to ensure there’s no food particles or other debris causing the pain. If you notice swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help manage discomfort until you see Dr. Thanh.

How we treat toothaches: Treatment will depend on the cause of your toothache. If it’s due to decay, we may need to fill the cavity or perform a root canal. For more severe infections or abscesses, Dr. Thanh may prescribe antibiotics or recommend a tooth extraction. Whatever the issue, our priority is to relieve your pain and restore your smile as soon as possible!

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? A chipped tooth is typically not a dental emergency unless the chip is large, causing pain, or if sharp edges are cutting your tongue or cheek. However, you should still see us quickly to prevent your tooth from being damaged further.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: If you have a chipped tooth, try to save any pieces of the tooth if possible, and use warm salt water or antibacterial mouthwash to rinse your mouth. You can apply dental wax or sugarless gum to cover any sharp edges that could irritate your tongue or cheek temporarily. If there’s any swelling, use an ice pack or cold compress on the outside of your mouth.

How we treat chipped teeth: Minor chips can often be repaired with direct bonding, a quick and simple procedure that uses composite resin. For larger chips, we may recommend a crown or porcelain veneer to restore the tooth’s shape and function.

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? A cracked tooth can be a dental emergency, especially if it’s causing pain or if the crack extends below the gum line. Without treatment small cracks will eventually worsen, possibly causing infection or tooth loss. It’s important to call us as soon as possible if you see that your tooth enamel is cracked.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water with a little salt in it to clean the area and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling if needed. Avoid chewing on the side of your mouth with the cracked tooth as it may cause further damage. Also, try to avoid tooth contact with very hot or cold foods, that may cause sharp pain.

How we treat cracked teeth: Depending on the severity of the damage, we have different methods we can use to bring you relief. Minor cracks can often be treated with direct bonding or a crown. In more serious cases, root canal treatment may be needed to save the tooth. For severe fractures that extend into the root, extraction may be needed.

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? Tooth sensitivity can be a sign of various dental issues, from enamel wear to gum disease. While it’s not always a dental emergency, if the sensitivity is severe, sudden, or ongoing, it’s best to reach out to us. In some cases, sensitivity can indicate a cracked tooth or an infection.

How you should handle sensitive teeth: Avoid very hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks that can trigger sensitivity. Over-the-counter desensitizing toothpaste and pain relievers can provide temporary relief. However, you should still schedule an appointment to figure out the cause of your discomfort.

How we treat tooth sensitivity: Treatment depends on the cause. If your sensitivity is due to enamel wear, we may recommend preventive treatments to shore up cracks, chips, or cavities. If an infection is the cause, a root canal may be necessary to help you find relief.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? Yes, a knocked-out tooth is one of the most urgent dental emergencies! If the tooth is reinserted within an hour, there’s a good chance it can be saved, however, every minute counts. So, call our team right away if one of your teeth is knocked out.

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: Handle the tooth carefully by the crown (the part that’s visible in your mouth) and avoid touching the root. Rinse the tooth gently with water if it’s dirty, but don't scrub or remove any tissue fragments you may see. If you can, try to place the tooth back into its socket and hold it there by biting down gently on a clean cloth. If you can’t put the tooth back, store it in milk or a tooth preservation solution and bring it to us as fast as possible.

How we treat knocked-out teeth: If the tooth is brought to us quickly, we will try to reinsert it into the socket and stabilize it with a splint. In cases where the tooth cannot be saved, we’ll discuss tooth replacement options like dental implants or bridges to restore your smile.

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? A lost filling or crown isn’t always an emergency, but it can leave your tooth vulnerable to damage or infection. It’s a good idea to see Dr. Thanh when you can to prevent further issues and to relieve any discomfort.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: Keep the area clean by rinsing your mouth with warm salty water. If possible, cover the exposed tooth with dental wax to protect it until you can visit the dentist. Avoid chewing on the affected side of your mouth and bring the crown with you to your appointment if it’s still intact.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns: We’ll examine the tooth to decide if the crown or filling can be reattached. If not, we may need to replace it with a new restoration. In cases of severe decay or damage, further treatment like a root canal or crown may be necessary before a new filling or crown is placed.

Broken Denture

• Is a broken denture a dental emergency? Depending on where and how your dentures broke, there could very well be hazardous, jagged edges. Wearing a damaged oral appliance could also harm your gums or existing teeth, so we want to examine your dental replacement as soon as possible!
• How to handle a broken denture: You might be tempted to try and fix your denture yourself, especially if the damage seems minor. Resist this urge! We use special adhesives and tools to repair dentures that are biocompatible and won’t harm the appliance. Most at-home fixes will cause more problems than they solve.
• How we treat broken dentures: There are three possible remedies. In cases of minor damage, we can seal the deal with oral-safe composite resin. Sometimes cracks or chips can affect how your dentures fit, but with a few adjustments they can be as good as new. Finally, for severe breaks, we can simply replace your denture.

Loose Permanent Tooth

• Are loose permanent teeth a dental emergency? Certainly! Wiggly adult teeth can indicate a number of serious conditions, such as gum disease. At the very least, we don’t want your tooth falling out if we can help it, so give us a call right away.
• How you should handle a loose permanent tooth: Avoid touching or applying pressure to the tooth. This could make it worse, or potentially cause it to fall out. Don’t even brush it – although you should still clean your other teeth.
• How we treat loose permanent teeth: Ideally, we can salvage your tooth with a dental restoration, such as a crown, or with periodontal therapy (gum disease therapy). Know that sometimes, though, the best solution for your oral health is a tooth extraction.

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

• Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency? There are times when oral injuries should be handled by a general emergency room. If you try to staunch the bleeding but the flow doesn’t stop after ten minutes, for example, go straight to the ER! Otherwise, we can treat your emergency and can even close wounds with stitches if necessary.
• How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: It helps to clean area as much as possible. For external injuries, you can use a soft, damp cloth to gently dab away blood and grime. For injuries inside your mouth, swish and rinse with warm water. After you take care of that, try to staunch any bleeding with a fresh cloth or gauze.
• How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: Sometimes patients just need a few stitches. Other times, they’ve sustained some dental damage and need a restoration to protect their teeth. In both cases, we’ll be sure to keep you informed about the situation and your options.

Learn More About Dental Restorations

Jaw Pain

• Is jaw pain a dental emergency? Believe it or not, some dentists can treat jaw pain – although if it’s dislocated or broken, then an emergency room will be better equipped to help you. Otherwise, we’d be happy to take a look at your jaw and help you get back to life as usual.
• How you should handle jaw pain: Assuming you don’t need to go to the ER, it’s generally safe to take over-the-counter pain relievers and apply a cold compress to the area that’s bothering you. However, we’ll give you more specific instructions over the phone once we know more about your situation.
• How we treat jaw pain: Once again, it will depend on the root cause of your discomfort. Teeth grinding and alignment issues can be treated with TMJ/TMD therapy – which simply involves wearing a special mouthguard. Impacted wisdom teeth, though, can cause similar aches, in which case you’ll need a tooth extraction.

Learn More About TMJ Therapy

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

• Is having something stuck between the teeth a dental emergency? If you manage to remove the mysterious something with floss, a toothbrush, or after a warm water rinse or two, then congratulations! You most likely won’t need an emergency dental visit. But stubborn debris can affect the safety of your teeth and gums, so please call us if it refuses to come out.
• How you should handle having something stuck between the teeth: Don’t use tweezers, toothpicks, or other pointy objects to remove stuck debris. You could accidentally cut your gums if your hand slips or give them an unpleasant poke while aiming for the object. Try flossing, brushing, or rinsing a few times instead. No luck? Then it’s time for an emergency dental visit.
• How we treat stubborn debris: We’ll use our professional tools to carefully tug your unwelcome guest until it eases loose. After that, we’ll double-check your teeth to make sure everything looks good, then send you on your way.