Emergency dental care in Los Angeles, CA

Urgent problems with teeth, gums, or the jaw need prompt attention. This page explains emergency dental care Los Angeles, CA patients can rely on at Leith K Shawaf DDS, including what counts as an emergency, how visits unfold, and the first steps to take at home before you are seen.

Emergency dental care explained

Dental emergencies are issues that require same-day assessment to relieve pain, control infection, or save a tooth. Common situations include severe toothache, dental abscess, facial swelling, a knocked-out or loosened tooth, broken or fractured teeth, lost fillings or crowns, and injuries to the lips, cheeks, or tongue.

Knowing what is a dental emergency helps you decide your next move. If pain is severe, swelling is spreading, bleeding will not stop, or you have trauma from an accident, you should contact dentist right away. If breathing is hard, you have uncontrollable bleeding, or a suspected broken jaw, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Why prompt care matters

Acting quickly reduces complications and improves outcomes. Benefits of same-day dental care include faster pain relief, lower risk of infection, a higher chance of saving an injured tooth, and fewer long-term restorative needs. Early care can also protect overall health, since dental infections can spread to other areas.

How emergency dentistry works

When you call, the team will triage your symptoms and help determine whether you need to be seen immediately. How does emergency dentistry work during your visit? Expect a focused exam, necessary X-rays, and targeted pain control. dentist stabilizes the problem first, then provides definitive treatment or a temporary solution with a follow-up plan.

For example, a deep cavity causing nerve pain may be treated with an emergency root canal or a protective sedative filling, depending on the situation. A broken tooth may be smoothed, bonded, or covered with a temporary crown. A loose tooth from trauma may be splinted to neighboring teeth. A gum or tooth abscess is typically drained and treated with appropriate medications.

Your visit: what to expect

At check-in, you will describe your symptoms and medical history. Diagnostic imaging helps pinpoint the cause of pain or injury. Local anesthesia is used for comfort. Based on findings, you will review options, such as emergency root canal vs extraction for a tooth with nerve damage, or recementing a dislodged crown when possible. Before you leave, you will receive written instructions and a timetable for follow-up care.

First steps you can take at home

• Knocked-out tooth: Handle it by the crown, not the root. If clean, gently place it back in the socket and bite on gauze. If you cannot reinsert it, store it in milk or an ADA-approved tooth preservation kit. Call dentist within 30–60 minutes.
• Severe toothache: Rinse with warm water, floss to remove debris, and use a cold compress. Take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed. Do not place aspirin on the gums.
• Broken or chipped tooth: Save any fragments, rinse your mouth, and use dental wax to cover sharp edges.
• Lost filling or crown: Keep the crown if possible. Temporary dental cement from a pharmacy may help until you are seen.
• Soft tissue injury: Apply pressure with clean gauze for 10–15 minutes to control bleeding. If bleeding does not stop, seek urgent care.
• Jaw injury or spreading infection: If there is trouble breathing or swallowing, high fever, or facial swelling that worsens, this is when to go to the ER for tooth pain or infection.

Before and after emergency treatment

Before your visit, avoid chewing on the affected side and keep the area clean with gentle rinsing. Bring a list of medications and allergies. After treatment, follow instructions closely: take medications as prescribed, keep the area clean, and stick to a soft diet for a day or two. Call if you experience increasing pain, swelling, fever, or a return of symptoms.