Written by the Kitto Family Dental team in Santa Maria, CA. Clinically reviewed by Dr. Ashley Kitto Channer, DDS. Questions? Call (805) 922-4109.
Toothaches and dental injuries don’t care about business hours. They show up at 9 p.m. on a Saturday, on the way home from soccer practice, or right in the middle of tri-tip night. When they do, the first question is usually the same: Is this an emergency, or can it wait until Monday?
Here’s how to tell the difference.
Call now (true dental emergencies)
These need attention as soon as possible, usually within hours, not days. Call the office. If we’re closed, our voicemail explains how to reach us for urgent issues, and serious face or jaw injuries should go to the ER:
- Knocked-out adult tooth. Every minute counts. Pick it up by the top (not the root), rinse gently if it’s dirty, and try to put it back in the socket. If you can’t, keep it in milk or saliva and get to a dentist within an hour.
- Severe, spreading facial swelling. Especially if it’s near your eye or neck, or affects swallowing or breathing. This can be a serious infection.
- Bleeding that won’t stop. Bleeding that keeps going after 10 to 15 minutes of firm pressure with gauze.
- A hard hit to the face or jaw. Especially after a fall, sports injury, or car accident. Rule out a fracture first, then we’ll take care of the teeth.
- Severe, throbbing pain that won’t quit. Especially with fever, swelling, or a bad taste. That often means an active infection.
Call tomorrow (urgent, but not middle-of-the-night)
These deserve an appointment within a few days, but they’re not after-hours emergencies:
- A cracked or chipped tooth with no pain.
- A lost filling or crown with no pain.
- A dull toothache that comes and goes.
- A loose adult tooth that isn’t bleeding much.
- A broken denture or appliance.
- Pain after a recent procedure that over-the-counter pain relief handles.
Call us when we open. We hold time in the schedule for urgent same-day visits. Here’s how our emergency dental care in Santa Maria works.
Probably can wait (but still get it checked)
- Mild gum sensitivity or bleeding when you brush.
- A small chip that isn’t sharp.
- Teeth that are sensitive to cold or sweets.
- A canker sore or cold sore.
These are worth a regular visit, but you don’t need to drop everything.
What to do while you wait
- Rinse with warm salt water. Half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. It helps soothe most kinds of mouth soreness.
- Try an over-the-counter pain reliever. Ibuprofen (if it’s safe for you) often helps with tooth pain. Follow the dose on the package.
- Cold pack on the cheek. 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off, for swelling.
- Don’t put aspirin directly on the gum. It’s a common myth, and it can actually burn the tissue.
- Knocked-out tooth? Keep it moist (milk, saliva, or a tooth preservation kit) and get to a dentist fast.
What happens when you call us
- We triage over the phone: same-day, next-day, or routine.
- We get your pain under control first.
- You get an honest read on what’s going on, what’s urgent, and your options, including cost, before any treatment.
- We handle as much as we can in one visit, but we won’t cram a complex plan into a rushed appointment.
In pain right now?
Call Kitto Family Dental at (805) 922-4109. We’ll help you figure out what’s happening and when we can see you. Learn more about our emergency dentistry in Santa Maria.
Keep reading: Toothache: what to do · Chipped or broken tooth · Root canal treatment