Nobody likes to think about a dental emergency, but the fact is that they happen. And they seldom occur when it’s convenient for you. Perhaps you are out to dinner with friends and a bite into your juicy steak results in a tooth breaking, or you might be binge-watching your favorite show over pizza only to have a filling fall out.

Some emergencies are not urgent, and you can wait until the next day or for the next regularly scheduled appointment to get to the dentist. In other cases, such as when a tooth has been knocked out or you are experiencing a severe toothache, you need to get to the dentist immediately.

If you are unsure of whether or not your situation is urgent, don’t hesitate to call Ricardo Suarez, DDS, at (626) 919-4337. Even after normal office hours, your call will be routed to an emergency service who can put you in touch with Dr. Suarez. He will be able to answer your questions and concerns.

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Knowing What Constitutes a Dental Emergency

Any kind of dental situation that arises unexpectedly is stressful, so it can be difficult to know whether you have a true emergency on your hands. You can always give our West Covina, CA dental office a call, but here are some of the most common dental emergencies we treat:

  • Broken tooth
  • Chipped tooth
  • Lost dental crown
  • Lost filling
  • Toothache
  • Root canal infection
  • Severe tooth decay
  • Trauma that results in a knocked-out tooth

When you have an urgent situation, our top priority is to make you as comfortable as possible. As an experienced emergency dentist in West Covina, CA, Dr. Suarez will provide palliative care to relieve your discomfort, then make follow-up treatment recommendations as needed to restore your oral health.

If your tooth has been knocked out or loosened, call us immediately, and we’ll arrange to see you as soon as possible. Getting immediate care can often mean the difference between losing and saving your tooth.

When You Might Need a Root Canal

When a mild toothache goes from uncomfortable to excruciating, this often points to an infection deep within the root of the tooth. The pain is usually too awful to be ignored—and it will likely not get better on its own.

If it is determined that the pulp of the tooth has become infected, Dr. Suarez will probably recommend a root canal.

Avoiding Future Dental Emergencies

You can’t prevent every dental emergency, but many urgent situations stem from skipping routine dental appointments. Prevention is key when it comes to your dental health, and biannual visits to the dentist can help pinpoint issues before they become problems—or dental emergencies.

If it’s been a while since your last visit, rest assured we are not here to make judgments. We simply want to see you get your oral health back on track.

If you are anxious about the dentist, and that is why you’ve been putting off routine visits, let us know about your fears when you make your appointment. Dr. Suarez and his team are experienced in helping patients feel calm and relaxed while they are here.

Call today to make a dental appointment at our West Covina, CA dental office!