A sudden toothache, a knocked-out tooth, or uncontrolled bleeding in your mouth – dental emergencies can be scary and often happen when you least expect them. As your trusted dental care provider right here in Brentwood, we want to ensure you know exactly what to do when faced with such a situation. Acting quickly and correctly can often make the difference between saving a tooth and facing more complex treatment.

Recognizing a Dental Emergency

It’s crucial to understand what constitutes a dental emergency. While a minor toothache might be uncomfortable, it’s not always an emergency. Here are some situations that do require immediate attention:

• Knocked-out tooth
• Severe toothache, especially if accompanied by swelling, fever, or difficulty opening your mouth
• Heavy bleeding in the mouth that doesn’t stop with gentle pressure
• A broken or fractured tooth with significant pain, especially if the pulp (the inner part of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels) is exposed
• A dental abscess: A painful, pus-filled swelling in your mouth that can indicate a serious infection
• Lost filling or crown with severe pain if the exposed tooth is causing significant discomfort
• Injury to the soft tissues of the mouth: Lacerations to the gums, cheeks, or tongue that are bleeding

Common Types of Dental Emergencies Seen in Brentwood

Type of Dental Emergency       | Percentage of Cases
-------------------------------|-------------------
Severe Toothaches & Abscesses  | ███████████████████████████████░░░ 35%
Broken/Fractured Teeth         | █████████████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░ 25%
Lost Fillings/Crowns           | ██████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 18%
Knocked-out Teeth              | ████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 12%
Soft Tissue Injuries           | ███████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 10%

Fig 1: Distribution of dental emergency cases treated at Dental Care of Brentwood in the past year, helping patients understand which situations we commonly handle.

Immediate Steps to Take (Before Contacting Us)

Your quick actions at the scene of a dental emergency can significantly impact the outcome. Here’s what you should do:

For a knocked-out tooth:

• Handle the tooth by the crown (the chewing surface), not the root
• Gently rinse the tooth with milk or water to remove any debris – do not scrub it
• Try to re-insert the tooth back into its socket. Hold it in place by gently biting down on a clean cloth
• If you can’t re-insert it, place the tooth in a container of milk, your saliva, or a tooth-preserving solution (if available) and bring it with you to our office immediately

Did you know? Studies show that a knocked-out tooth has the highest chance of survival (up to 90%) if replanted within the first hour!

Success Rate for Knocked-Out Tooth Replantation

Time Elapsed Before Treatment | Success Rate
------------------------------|-------------
Under 30 minutes              | ████████░░ 85-90%
30-60 minutes                 | ██████░░░░ 60-70%
1-2 hours                     | ███░░░░░░░ 30-40%
Over 2 hours                  | █░░░░░░░░░ Under 15%

Fig 2: The critical relationship between treatment timing and success rate for knocked-out tooth replantation. Acting within the first hour significantly increases the chance of saving your tooth.

For a broken or fractured tooth:

• Rinse your mouth gently with warm water
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek to reduce swelling
• If possible, save any broken tooth fragments and bring them with you

For a severe toothache:

• Rinse your mouth with warm water
• Gently floss to remove any food particles that might be trapped
• Do not place aspirin or any other painkiller directly on your gums, as it can burn the tissue
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek

For heavy bleeding:

• Apply firm but gentle pressure to the bleeding area with a clean gauze pad or cloth for 15-20 minutes
• If the bleeding doesn’t stop, continue applying pressure and seek immediate dental or medical attention

For a dental abscess:

• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water several times a day
• Do not try to puncture the abscess yourself
• Contact us immediately as an abscess can indicate a serious infection

For a lost filling or crown with pain:

• Try to place the crown back on the tooth if possible. You can use a dental adhesive (available at most pharmacies) or even toothpaste as a temporary measure
• If you can’t replace the crown or if a filling is lost and causing pain, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth

What to Do Next: Contact Dental Care of Brentwood Immediately!

Once you’ve taken the initial steps, your next priority should be to contact us at Dental Care of Brentwood as quickly as possible.

Our number is (310) 826-8911

When you call, please provide us with as much detail as possible about the emergency, including:

• What happened
• When it happened
• The severity of your pain or bleeding
• Any steps you’ve already taken

This information will help us assess the situation and provide you with the most appropriate advice and arrange for you to be seen as soon as possible. At Dental Care of Brentwood, we’ve successfully treated over 50 dental emergency cases in the past year, helping our Brentwood neighbors get back to smiling comfortably. We understand that dental emergencies can be distressing, and our dedicated team is here to provide you with prompt and compassionate care right here in Brentwood.

Don’t delay – your oral health is our priority. In the event of a dental emergency, remember these steps and call Dental Care of Brentwood right away!

Dental Care of Brentwood
11980 San Vicente Blvd Suite 811
Brentwood, CA 90049
www.dentalcareofbrentwood.com