Emergency Dental Care

With Dental Solutions of Encinitas, you can always depend on quick, comprehensive treatment, including during dental emergencies. Your smile is our passion, and we work with you to preserve and protect it, no matter the circumstances.

A sporting accident knocking out a tooth, a workplace accident resulting in dental trauma, or simply bad luck causing a chip or crack—we are here to help.

When it comes to your oral health, a quick response can mean the difference between a healthy smile and an incomplete one. So never hesitate to contact our Encinitas office if you are experiencing a dental emergency. We will work with your schedule to provide you with the treatment necessary for a healthy, happy smile.

Schedule My Visit
DSC 0427

Before

DSC 0551

After

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

For most of us, the term “dental emergency” immediately makes us think of a missing or knocked-out tooth, but many different situations can be dental emergencies. If it is causing consistent pain, bleeding, or interrupting your daily life, it is a dental emergency.

We will list some of the most common dental emergencies below. But remember, the professionals here at Dental Solutions of Encinitas are committed to your oral care and whole body health. You should never hesitate to contact our office if you aren’t sure if you are having a dental emergency.

Common Dental Emergencies

While we rarely have control over when an emergency may occur, creating a plan to deal with them is easy if you live in San Diego County: contact our office. So don’t wait to call if you or a loved one are experiencing any of the following:

Persistent or Severe Toothaches

While unfortunate, toothaches are fairly common but often go away on their own. However, if you have a toothache that lasts longer than 24 hours or is severe enough to disrupt your day-to-day activities, it counts as a dental emergency.

Cracked, Chipped, or Damaged Teeth

The enamel of our teeth acts as the first line of defense when it comes to our oral health. If you notice any damage to a tooth, repairing it needs to become an immediate priority to prevent a complete fracture or infection.

Loose or Lost Teeth

If you feel a tooth loose in its socket or have received an injury that knocked out a tooth, it is important to remain calm. We can most likely save the tooth by acting quickly.

For loose teeth, do your best not to agitate them further. If a tooth has been knocked out, try to pick it up by the crown and keep it safe by placing it in a cup of water or milk, or wrap it up in a damp cloth. Then, contact our office for further instructions while we schedule you for an emergency appointment.

Dental Abscess

Looking like a blister-like pocket, dental abscesses usually form at the base of a tooth or along the gum line. They are caused by bacterial infections and are very dangerous to both your oral health and full-body health. Call us immediately if you notice one, so we can prevent the infection from spreading.

Damaged or Lost Dental Restorations

Dental restorations such as veneers or crowns can fall off, especially if there is trauma to the face. They can also crack or chip.

You can schedule a routine appointment if the damage is minor, but if you have lost your restoration, we invite you to come in quickly. Eating and speaking without a restoration can be painful or even endanger your exposed tooth. We can either place the restoration back on or craft a new one, depending on the damage and the age of the restoration.

Don’t Put Off Care During a Dental Emergency

When a dental emergency happens, it can be tempting to wait it out, especially if the pain comes and goes or the damage doesn’t seem severe. But postponing treatment often leads to bigger problems. What starts as a small chip, mild toothache, or swelling can quickly progress into something more serious, like an infection, abscess, or tooth loss.

Infections in the mouth can spread rapidly, potentially affecting nearby teeth, bone, and even other areas of the body if left untreated. A cracked or broken tooth that isn’t stabilized right away may become too damaged to save later. And while some symptoms might improve temporarily, underlying issues often continue to worsen, making future treatment more invasive and costly.

Getting help quickly not only relieves discomfort but also preserves your oral health and prevents complications. Early intervention gives your dentist more options to treat the problem effectively, often with less discomfort and better long-term outcomes.

Our office will work with you to prevent long-term damage, which is why we encourage you to schedule an appointment with us.

Immediate Relief from Pain

Emergency care provides immediate relief from discomfort. Whether you’re dealing with a severe toothache, a broken restoration, or swelling, being seen quickly can restore your peace of mind and help you return to normal routines without delay. Emergency visits also help identify underlying issues that may not be obvious but could become more serious over time.

Save Money

When we detect underlying issues that could become more serious and step in before you have permanent damage, we often prevent costly dental work down the line.

We understand that a dental emergency can feel financially daunting, but taking care of it immediately prevents the issue from spreading and racking up more costs. We will never recommend a procedure that will not help your smile.

AdobeStock 496864913
Man with black skin complaining about tooth ache

Our Treatments During a Dental Emergency

We offer many effective and fast treatments depending on your dental emergency. Here are some common dental emergencies for which we offer solutions:

  • Tooth Loss | If the tooth and gums are healthy, we can place the tooth back in the gum immediately, and it may be able to bond back with the tooth root. You have to act quickly for this to be a possibility, though. Otherwise, we offer dental bridges and dental implants to replace gaps in your smile.
  • Infections | We will first evaluate the cause of the infection and treat it with things such as topical antibiotics, root canals, or periodontal disease treatment. We may also prescribe an oral antibiotic to help your body fight the infection.
  • Damaged Teeth | Dental bonding, crowns, or veneers can help fix a damaged tooth. We will make recommendations based on the severity of the damage. Don’t leave even a small chip untreated, though, because it can lead to infection or worsening damage.
  • Severe Toothaches | We will treat the underlying cause of the toothache, which is often an internal tooth infection that requires a cavity treatment or root canal.

We take your comfort and concerns seriously and will work with you on finding something that permanently addresses the pain and the root issue.

Same-Day Crowns in an Emergency

If you have damaged your tooth or even lost your tooth, the last thing you want is a long wait or multiple appointments. That’s where CEREC technology makes all the difference. CEREC allows us to design, craft, and place your custom crown in a single visit without the need for temporary crowns or follow-up appointments.

The process begins with digital scanning, which captures a precise 3D image of your tooth. This scan is used to design a crown that fits your bite and blends seamlessly with your smile. The crown is then milled from a durable ceramic block right in the office, often in less than an hour. Once it’s ready, we place and adjust the crown to ensure a comfortable and natural fit.

CEREC crowns are not only efficient—they’re also long-lasting and highly aesthetic. The ceramic material is strong and tooth-colored, offering both durability and a natural look.

For patients experiencing a dental emergency, CEREC can restore a broken or damaged tooth quickly, helping prevent further complications while saving you time and stress. It’s a modern solution that reflects our commitment to providing care that’s both effective and convenient.

iStock 1479318962
iStock 524701060 1
Huge smile through magnifying glass of young woman

Dental Health Concerns to Look Out For

There are some oral health issues that need quick treatment, but within a week, not within hours. If you notice some of these issues, we encourage you to schedule an appointment soon, even if you have had a 6-month checkup recently:

  • Symptoms of Gum Disease | If your gums are discolored, you suffer from bad breath, or have pain in or around your gums, make sure to get those treated before it leads to tooth loss.
  • Mild Toothaches or Tooth Discoloration | These can be precursors to more invasive or painful infections.
  • Loose Restorations | If you have noticed a loose restoration, schedule an appointment soon before it breaks off.
  • Something Lodged in Your Gums | If this is causing intense pain, it is a dental emergency, but otherwise, you can wait until the next day to see if the piece of food comes out on its own.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

While some dental emergencies are unpredictable, many can be avoided with the right habits and preventive care. Taking small steps to protect your teeth now can save you from pain, stress, and more complex dental treatment later. Here are some simple ways to lower your risk of experiencing a dental emergency:

Maintain Regular Dental Checkups

Routine exams allow your dentist to catch issues early, such as worn fillings, decay, or infection, before they become urgent.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Brushing twice a day and flossing daily helps prevent cavities and gum disease, two of the most common causes of emergencies.

Wear a Night Guard if You Grind Your Teeth

Night guards protect your teeth from excessive wear, cracks, and jaw discomfort caused by clenching or grinding.

Use a Mouth Guard During Sports

A custom sports mouth guard helps protect your teeth from trauma during contact activities.

Avoid Hard Foods and Habits

Don’t chew on ice, hard candies, or non-food items like pens. These habits can lead to cracks or broken restorations.

Don’t Ignore Minor Symptoms

Sensitivity, gum irritation, or a loose filling may seem minor, but can quickly become more serious if not treated.

Preventing emergencies means protecting your long-term oral health and avoiding the need for unexpected, urgent treatment. With a few smart habits and regular care, you can keep your smile strong, stable, and ready for anything.

Get the Dental Care You Need, When You Need It

You can always trust Dental Solutions of Encinitas to take action and protect your smile. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, we will work with your schedule to get you the help you need as quickly as possible.

Don’t delay and put your oral health at risk. Contact our office for immediate, effective solutions to your dental emergency.

Schedule my visit