Dental Emergencies

Knowing how to handle a dental emergency can mean the difference between saving or losing a tooth. We are available at all times in the office and our telephone is answered by our staff after normal hours in case of an emergency.

Below are listed common emergencies you can handle while you contact us for further instructions.

• Tooth knocked out: First, try to stick the tooth back in place and hold it there while you rush to see the dentist. If that's impossible, put the tooth is a container of milk (or water if milk is not available) and take it and the patient to the dentist immediately.
• Fractured Tooth: To avoid further aggravating the damaged tooth, place a piece of soft wax into the area of the tooth that was chipped. You should eat only soft foods and try to avoid food and drink that are hot and cold to the touch.
• Fractured Jaw: If you find that your jaw hurts when it is moved or if you cannot close your mouth in a normal fashion, it is likely that you have fractured your jaw. Seek professional medical help at a hospital emergency room. The hospital will be able to treat your injury as well as advise you whether you need to make an appointment to see your dentist.
• Bitten Tongue or Lip: Biting or lacerating your tongue may cause inflammation and possible bleeding. Use ice or pressure to control the swelling or bleeding. Any swelling should subside within twenty-four hours. Contact your Dentist if the pain persists or the laceration is deep.
• Bleeding After an Extraction: Slight bleeding after an extraction is normal. A clot will usually form within one hour. If bleeding continues, place a thick gauze pad over the extraction site. Apply pressure to the area to control the flow of blood. If bleeding still persists, you may try soaking a tea bag in water, placing it inside a thin gauze pad, and apply pressure for one hour. The tea leaves contain minerals which may aid in the clotting procedure.
• Mouth Sores: Canker sores are those very small and painful sores which occur inside the mouth. They can be caused by stress, biting the inside of the mouth or by a reaction to certain foods. If you find that you have developed a canker sore on the inside of the mouth, apply an over-the-counter medicine like Orajel or campho-phenique. This will produce a bandage-like film over the sore.
• Toothache: An aching tooth is a very common dental emergency. A toothache is often a sign of infection in or around a tooth. Tylenol or aspirin can sometimes be effective in comforting pain. If there is a hole in the tooth, you may place Oil of Cloves on a small cotton pellet and place it in the site to relieve pain.

Dental Referral Network - As a member of the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics (ACE), we work with dentists from across the globe who share our philosophies of quality and dedication to the art of excellent dentistry. If you are out of town and need dental care, visit this referral list to find a competent professional who will treat you with the same personalized care you receive in our office. The dentists listed here have offices across the USA, parts of Canada, and even Australia!

Our Philosophy

Oral health has traditionally been divided into three different forms of treatment: preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. But our vision is not limited solely to these narrow categories. We take a more holistic approach, with state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic services that treat each patient individually without cookie-cutter results. And your treatment will be assessed not one tooth or problem at a time but with the consideration of your overall dental health. If you need dental care on an urgent basis, we will act quickly in relieving the underlying causes of discomfort. However, our goal is to achieve a lasting state of health and wellness for those who have entrusted us with their dental care.

6 Keys to our success

• We look at your mouth in its entirety, not one tooth at a time.
• We understand that your teeth exist within a complex system of muscles and joints, and we strive to harmonize that system.
• As our patient, you will become an integral part of the team responsible for your dental health. We will listen attentively to your needs and incorporate your wishes into the overall treatment.
• We treat you with methods that are proven statistically. We don't guess. And we are constantly learning and evaluating new approaches.
• Our group has access to an entire network of allied health care professionals who share our views and can help you resolve issues that extend beyond dentistry.
• We're passionate about what we do! You won't find a more dedicated, passionate and professional dentistry team in Southern California.