Emergency Dental Care in Murrieta: What to Do Right Now

Is it a dental emergency, or can it wait?

Treat it as an emergency if you have severe pain, a tooth that was knocked out or pushed out of place, swelling, or bleeding that won’t stop. Cleveland Clinic notes that a dull toothache or a small chip can usually wait for a regular visit, though you should still see your dentist soon.

A tooth that feels loose or out of position after an injury also needs a prompt exam. The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) notes that any injured tooth should be examined right away, since nearby teeth can be hurt too.

Not sure? Call us at (951) 677-1054, describe what happened, and our team will answer your questions.

What should I do if a tooth gets knocked out?

Act fast: pick the tooth up by the crown (the chewing part), not the root, and try to put it back in the socket. The AAE recommends these steps for a permanent tooth:

• Touch only the crown. Never touch the root.
• If it’s dirty, rinse it gently with water only. Don’t scrub it, use soap or wrap it in tissue.
• Gently push it back into the socket facing the right way, then bite down softly to hold it. Never force it.
• If it won’t go back in, keep it moist in milk, in your mouth next to your cheek, or in a tooth preservation kit. Don’t store it in tap water.
• See a dentist right away. Within 30 minutes is ideal, but a tooth can sometimes be saved after an hour or more.

What should I do for a broken or cracked tooth?

Rinse your mouth with warm water, save any broken pieces and see a dentist as soon as you can. If the area is bleeding, press gauze on it for about 10 minutes. A cold compress on the outside of your cheek can ease pain and swelling.

Don’t put aspirin or pain-relief gels directly on the tooth or gums.

Many chips can be repaired with a tooth-colored filling or a crown. If a crack reaches the pulp inside, the tooth may need root canal treatment. Read more about a broken or chipped tooth.

How can I ease a toothache until I see a dentist?

Rinse with warm water, floss gently to remove any trapped food, and hold a cold compress against your cheek if there’s swelling. An over-the-counter pain reliever, taken as the label directs, can help in the meantime.

Never put aspirin or other painkillers against your gums or tooth. Cleveland Clinic warns it can burn the gum tissue.

A throbbing toothache that doesn’t go away can be a sign of infection, so call your dentist. Our toothache page covers common causes.

What should I do about swelling or a possible abscess?

Swelling in your gums, face or jaw can mean an infection, and it needs prompt dental care. MedlinePlus lists signs of a tooth abscess such as a severe, throbbing toothache, a pimple-like bump on the gum, a bitter taste, fever and a swollen jaw.

Until you’re seen, rinsing a few times a day with mild salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water) may help. A cold compress on the outside of your cheek can ease swelling.

Left untreated, an abscess can spread to the jawbone and the soft tissues of the face and neck. Learn more about a tooth abscess and swollen gums.

What should I do if a filling or crown falls out?

Keep the crown if you have it, protect the tooth and call your dentist. Our dental crowns page has more about crowns. Until your visit, Cleveland Clinic suggests:

• Lost filling: press a piece of sugar-free gum into the space, or use over-the-counter dental cement. Avoid sugary gum, which can cause pain.
• Lost crown: if you can, coat the inside with over-the-counter dental cement, toothpaste or denture adhesive and gently slip it back on. Never use super glue.
• Bring the crown with you to your visit.

When should you go to the ER or call 911?

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if facial swelling affects your breathing, swallowing or vision, if you have a fever with swelling, if bleeding won’t stop, or if you’ve had a serious injury to the face or jaw.

• Trouble breathing: call 911. Swelling under the tongue from a tooth infection can block the airway.
• Swelling with trouble swallowing, a fever of 100.4°F or higher, confusion or a racing heart: go to the ER.
• Swelling around the eye or changes in vision: go to the ER. A dental infection that spreads to the tissue around the eye is a medical emergency.
• Bleeding that keeps going despite steady pressure: go to the ER.
• A possible broken jaw or serious injury to the face: go to a hospital emergency department right away.

How do I reach Golden Triangle Dentistry in an emergency?

Call us at (951) 677-1054 and tell our team what happened. It’s the same office, the same phone number and the same caring team, caring for Murrieta families since 1991.

We’re at 25460 Medical Center Dr, Suite 202, with free parking in front of and behind the building and a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking and restroom. For office hours or questions about becoming a patient, call and our team will answer. You can also visit our new patients page or get directions and contact details.

If you can’t reach a dentist and you have swelling, a fever, bleeding that keeps going or a serious injury, go to the emergency room.

How can you prevent dental emergencies?

Wear a mouthguard for sports, avoid chewing hard things, and keep up with regular cleanings and exams. The ADA says mouthguards should be part of standard sports gear from an early age, even for non-contact activities like gymnastics and skating. Mouthguards come in three main types:

• Custom-made: made by your dentist for a personal fit.
• Boil-and-bite: softened in water and shaped to your teeth. These often fit better than stock guards.
• Stock: ready to wear and inexpensive, but they often don’t fit well and can make breathing and talking harder.

Questions & answers

Common questions