Are you in excruciating pain? Call 650-938-1868 for a same-day appointment.
When you experience a serious dental concern, you want help no matter the time or place. Emergency dentist in Mountain View Donian Shen, DDS is available if sudden pain, damage, and/or another complication occurs. We offer speedy treatment that can alleviate a variety of issues as quickly as possible. In addition to providing same day appointments, we can often suggest options over the phone that can help to ease symptoms immediately.
Quick Facts About Dental Emergencies
- Call us immediately: Reach our team at 650-241-2235 for guidance and a same-day appointment whenever possible.
- Act fast: Quick action—especially for injuries or knocked-out teeth—can greatly improve treatment outcomes.
- Keep knocked-out teeth moist: Place the tooth in milk, saline, or your own saliva; avoid scrubbing or removing tissue fragments.
- Manage symptoms safely: Use clean gauze for bleeding and apply cold compresses for swelling; never place aspirin directly on gums.
- Temporary fixes are short-term: Sugarless gum or other quick remedies can help briefly, but professional care is still needed.
- When in doubt, call: Even mild symptoms can signal a deeper problem, and our team can guide you on next steps over the phone.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
One of the first steps in managing a dental emergency is to determine whether it’s a true emergency or a situation you can address at home. Some of the most common issues that affect patients can be treated right away with items you have nearby, followed by an appointment with Dr. Shen when possible. When in doubt, it’s always best to contact our office for more information on the best approach for your situation.
“I lost some teeth due to an accident, and they took me in on a saturday night. The doctor already left the office a few hours prior, but she came back and preformed surgery for me. The staff are so kinda and welcoming! They were very caring, and helped my feel comfortable before going into surgery.”
How to Treat a Dental Concern at Home
Some concerns can be addressed from home. In other cases, you may be able to reduce pain or limit damage with a few simple steps before seeking professional assistance. Our friendly and knowledgeable team has outlined some of the initial steps you can take for the following common issues:
- Chipped tooth: Try rinsing your mouth with warm water. You can also reduce swelling with cold compresses. A chipped tooth can generally be treated with a white filling or, in more severe cases, a root canal with a crown.
- Bitten tongue or lip: Gently clean the cut and the surrounding area, and then use cold compresses to reduce any swelling. If bleeding or swelling persists, visit the nearest hospital immediately to have the wound looked at and possibly sutured.
- Cracked/fractured tooth: A cracked tooth can sometimes feel like little more than a toothache, and other times this issue can be quite painful. Dr. Shen’s treatment will depend on the degree of cracking, and may include using a sandpaper disc or performing a composite restoration, bonding, root canal, or extraction.
- Toothache: Try flossing gently to remove any food or debris that could be causing the discomfort. An over-the-counter painkiller can help ease soreness, and an ice pack may also provide some relief.
- Tooth knocked out: Rinse the affected area, but be careful not to remove any tissue fragments attached to the tooth. If possible, insert the tooth back into the socket. If not, place the tooth in a glass of cold milk or wrap it in a clean cloth.
- Lost filling: If a filling falls out, you can place a piece of softened, sugarless chewing gum into the hole that contained the filling. Contact us as soon as possible to have Dr. Shen replace the filling.
For more information about emergency treatment, please visit our website dedicated to our emergency dentistry services mountainviewemergencydentist.com or contact our office. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is happy to answer questions and to help you schedule a consultation with Dr. Shen.*
