Tooth pain or an injury now
If you are in pain or hurt a tooth, call us. If the problem is not life-threatening, we will tell you what to do until we can see you.
- Swelling that spreads to your face, eye or neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, a serious blow to the head, or bleeding that won't stop needs emergency care now. Go to an emergency room or call 911. If a tooth is knocked out or broken, call our office right away.
What counts, and what to do first
A knocked-out tooth
Pick it up by the crown, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it gently with water, with no scrubbing. Try to put it back in the socket, or keep it in milk, and call us right away.
A broken or chipped tooth
Keep the piece if you can, rinse your mouth gently and call us. If your lip or face is cut, or you hit your head, go to an emergency room.
A toothache that won't let up
Rinse with warm water and call us. Don't put aspirin against the gum; it can burn it.
Swelling in the gum or face
Call us the same day. If the swelling is spreading toward your eye or neck, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to an emergency room or call 911.
How an urgent visit works
Who answers, and when
Our front desk answers the phone during office hours. Outside them the voicemail is not checked round the clock, so for something urgent at night, go to an emergency room.
What we do
We find the tooth, take an image and explain what is happening. If treatment is needed, we explain it and the written estimate first.
Comfort
We numb the tooth with local anesthetic. Most people feel pressure, not pain, and we stop whenever you ask.
How it is billed
You get the estimate in writing before treatment, even when you are in pain. See how fees work.
How fees work
We try to see people in pain the day they call, when we can. We cannot promise it, and we tell you plainly when the next opening is.
Questions about urgent care
Do I have to be a patient?
No. Call us and tell us what is happening.
What are your hours?
They are on the contact page. Call as early in the day as you can.
What if it is the middle of the night?
If you have swelling that is spreading, trouble breathing or swallowing, or a serious blow to the head, go to an emergency room or call 911. For a toothache, call us when we open.
Call us now
If it is not a life-threatening emergency, call. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.