Dental Emergencies: First Response

In a dental emergency it is imperative that you seek professional help to address the issue. It’s a good idea to keep the phone number to OnCall Dental in Fresno handy – on your refrigerator, say, attached with a magnet.

But we understand there is always the sense that in the short term, you want to be your own first responder. So we’re using this blog post to describe some basic things you can do at home in a dental emergency, before you head to our office.

  • Toothaches. Gently rinse your mouth out with warm water. Adding a teaspoon or so of salt can help, but is not essential. Rinsing will help clean things out, and for mild toothaches may be enough treatment. We want to see severe toothaches, since there could be an abscess. Do not put aspirin on the affected tooth.
  • Objects stuck between teeth. Dental floss is your best bet. It can help to tie a small knot into the floss. Water flossers and even brushing can also dislodge things that are stuck. But never – repeat, never – use a pointed instrument, like a needle, to try to get it. If it stays stuck, call us.
  • Chipped or cracked tooth. A warm water rinse is a good first step here, too. If there is any swelling use a cold compress. If a piece of the tooth has broken off, clean it and keep it safe. Then, call us right away.
  • Knocked out tooth. We want to see you as soon as possible. Generally we will not try to re-insert a child’s baby tooth. For permanent adult teeth we may be able to save it if treated within an hour. touch the tooth by the crown (chewing part) only, never the root. Keep it moist. See us ASAP.

You can do initial treatment at home, but at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford we will want to see and treat you. We offer comprehensive emergency dental care. Remember, in an emergency walk-ins are always welcome.

Contact OnCall Dental (Tap to open in Google Maps):


OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704

559-900-2332


I Broke A Tooth. Now What?

As hard as your teeth are, it is surprisingly easy to break one. It might be weakened by a cavity or you may have an accident. Whatever the cause, a broken tooth is not something to be ignored. Call us at OnCall Dental in Fresno right away.

First, there are different types of broken teeth. One person might consider a chip or crack a broken tooth. From a dental viewpoint these are fairly minor. There are also more significant breaks that, in severe cases, can threaten the tooth’s pulp.

If it happens to you, it’s a serious matter, regardless of the type. We can treat them all, and take them all seriously!

What You Can Do

To repeat, your broken tooth should be treated as soon as possible. Broken teeth have the potential to affect not just your dental health, but your overall health. Call our office right away.

Before you get here, here are some things you should do:

  • Rinse your mouth. Use warm water, plain or salty. Swish it gently around, then spit.
  • Use an icepack. An icepack or cold compress, wrapped in a towel, can reduce any swelling.
  • Apply gauze. There may be some bleeding. If so, gauze can help soak it up. Place it against the tooth and gently bite down if you can. If you don’t have any gauze, you can use a wet teabag instead.

After that, the important thing is to call us at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford. We can advise you on whether you need immediate attention. We offer comprehensive emergency dental care. Remember, in an emergency walk-ins are always welcome.

Contact OnCall Dental:

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704

OnCall Dental – Hanford


Treating Unbearable Tooth Pain

An infected or damaged tooth can result in unbearable pain. It’s virtually impossible to concentrate on anything else, let alone get some sleep. At OnCall Dental in Fresno we can relieve unbearable pain with an emergency root canal.

We’ll diagnose the problem first, of course. But unbearable tooth pain is often due to a compromised pulp chamber, either from decay, trauma, or infection. The pain may not be that bad at first. But if there’s a problem and it isn’t treated, it’s usually just a matter of time.

Ending The Pain

A root canal is a procedure done to remove any infected pulp within the tooth. The tooth’s inner chamber is then cleaned and disinfected, sealed, and capped with a crown.

The root canal will end the pain and save the tooth. The discomfort will be minimal, too: not much different than having a cavity filled. It’s a myth that root canals are painful.

At OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford we have done many emergency root canals, and other toothache relief. In an emergency no appointment is needed. Walk-ins are always welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704

OnCall Dental – Hanford


Knocked Out Tooth: Beat The Clock

Whether they know it or not, someone whose tooth is knocked out is in a race against time. If they receive proper treatment within an hour, like what we can provide at OnCall Dental in Fresno, there is a good chance the tooth can be saved.

More than five million people have one or more teeth knocked out every single year. In dental emergency terms, it’s about as serious as it gets. It can be frightening, too, but if it happens it’s important to try to  remain calm and take proper action.

Prompt Treatment!

When a tooth is knocked out, all its blood vessels and connecting tissue are damaged beyond repair. That’s the bad news. The good news is that with prompt treatment the tooth can be successfully replanted, and the bone will reattach to the root. The tooth will eventually need a root canal, since the nerves can’t be repaired.

But that’s getting ahead of things. To reiterate: if it happens, get treatment as soon as possible. Recover the knocked out tooth, but be sure to hanlde it very carefully. Do not touch the root. It’s okay to rinse it off if there is dirt on it, but do not wipe it off: not with a shirt, a clean tissue, a soft cloth, or anything else. You might further damage it.

Keep it moist. Ideally you can place it in milk, but you may not have any handy. It’s okay to just place it between your cheek and gum.

At OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford we have treated many knocked out teeth, and other dental emergencies. We can also do root canals. In an emergency no appointment is needed. Walk-ins are always welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704

OnCall Dental – Hanford


Emergency Dentistry Issues

When you think of “dental emergency,” your thoughts may automatically go to cracked or broken teeth, or even a knocked out tooth. These are all genuine dental emergencies, but at OnCall Dental in Fresno we treat plenty of other emergencies, too.

We are fully equipped to treat any of the following emergencies:

  • Severe toothache. A toothache may not strike you as an emergency, but they certainly can be. It could be an infected tooth requiring immediate treatment.
  • Something stuck between your teeth. Objects like popcorn kernels can get wedged so severely between two of your teeth that it may be like it’s going to be stuck forever. We can get it out.
  • Bit lip or tongue. We can treat soft tissue injuries in the mouth. These can be scary because they tend to bleed a lot.
  • Knocked out tooth. We mentioned this at the top, but mention it again because this is one of the most serious dental emergencies there is. If it’s treated promptly there is a good chance the tooth can be saved, but it’s a race against the clock.

Never take pain or injury to a tooth for granted; it is better to be safe than sorry! At OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford we treat all kinds of dental emergencies. In an emergency no appointment is needed. Walk-ins are always welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704

OnCall Dental – Hanford


What To Do If You Crack A Tooth

A cracked or broken tooth can be frightening, and if it happens to you, remember the team at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford.

Fractured teeth are actually fairly common. Whether you see us immediately depends on a few things. Is there any pain? Even if  there isn’t it’s a good idea to take an over-the-counter pain reliever, like ibuprofen. You should also rinse your mouth out right away. Use warm salt water.

You should also call our office right away, even if there isn’t any pain. Describe your condition in as much detail as you can, and from there we can decide on your best course of action.

Some of the factors involved:

  • Location of the tooth in your mouth
  • Severity of the break
  • Your age

A small, surface-level chip may not require any treatment at all. The chipped area can be filed and polished, so there are not jagged edges.

Sometimes cracks involve the entire tooth. These are more serious because they can reach all the way to the nerve. Even if the tooth appears to be one piece, the crack can gradually spread and develop into a split.

More serious is what is called a vertical root fracture, which begins in the tooth root and  moves upward. They don’t always have symptoms and you may not even know one is there. But they can lead to gum and bone infection.

Don’t take anything for granted. Any trauma to the mouth might crack a tooth, even if there aren’t any symptoms, so you should be examined. At OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford we treat all kinds of dental emergencies. In an emergency no appointment is needed. Walk-ins are always welcome!

OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704

OnCall Dental – Hanford


Something Stuck? Use Caution!

When you get something stuck between your teeth it’s only natural to try to get the darned thing out. Usually it’s not too difficult; sometimes it works its way out on its own. If you have something seriously stuck, though, give us a call at OnCall Dental in Fresno.

We’re going to cut to the chase: when something is seriously stuck between your teeth, you may take matters into your own hands. This is a bad idea. People have been known to use sharp objects – needles, paper clips, razor blades – to dislodge what’s stuck.

Don’t do it. Don’t even use a toothpick. You’re far more likely to hurt your gums than get that thing from between your teeth. We know something stuck can drive you nuts, but remember: it isn’t life-threatening and can be removed sooner or later.

What To Do?

Your best bet at home? Try dental floss. If ordinary string floss isn’t working, tie a small knot in it. A water flosser can also be effective.

If those don’t work, leave it to the professionals. Remember us at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford. We treat all kinds of dental emergencies and have dislodged more things from teeth than we can remember. In an emergency no appointment is needed. Walk-ins are always welcome!


OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704


OnCall Dental – Hanford


The Consequences of a Broken Tooth

Breaking one of your teeth can happen easily, and is a serious matter: even more serious than you might think. As unsightly as it is, a broken turn can also impact your dental health. If you break one of your teeth remember there is emergency care available at OnCall Dental in Fresno.

A broken tooth can result from a common household mishap, from a collision playing sports, or from an accident. It may also happen when a tooth is weakened by decay.

Chipped Or Broken?

Sometimes a tooth becomes chipped. This can be unsightly and should not be ignored. But we put actual breaks into a different category.

There are different types of broken teeth:

  • Craze Line Break. These are minor cracks in the enamel of a tooth. Most of the time they can be fixed by polishing and do not require any kind of restoration.
  • Cusp Break. The cusps of teeth are the pointy parts of molars. When a cusp is broken it should be treated as soon as possible so the damage doesn’t get worse.
  • Severe Break. These can be very painful, because it exposes the tooth’s nerve. A root canal may be in order, along with a dental crown.
  • Vertical Split. This is when a tooth breaks vertically, leaving the tooth in two sections. These too usually require a root canal and crown to fully repair them. A vertical break may start in the root and stretch upward.

A broken tooth is like an invitation for infection and decay. They can not only threaten the broken tooth; neighboring teeth can be affected. If an infection gets into the bloodstream it can threaten the entire body.

If you sustain a broekn tooth, don’t delay: call us at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford. We treat all kinds of dental emergencies and can place dental crowns. In an emergency no appointment is needed. Walk-ins are always welcome!


OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704


OnCall Dental – Hanford


Common Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency can turn an ordinary day into an anxious one, as you rush to get the problem treated. At OnCall Dental in Fresno we specialize in dental emergencies, and are prepared to handle just about anything that comes our way.

These are the most common dental emergencies:

  • Lost Filling or Crown. These can be painful and should not be ignored. If you can recover the crown you can try putting it back in place, and keeping it there with dental wax. Be sure to rinse with warm salt water first. Remember though, this is just a temporary fix. Get to our office as soon as you can!
  • Broken or Fractured Tooth. This can be really scary. Try to find any tooth fragments that came off. Again, rinse your mouth with warm salt water; taking an over-the-counter pain reliever is also a good idea. Call our office and we’ll see you as soon as possible.
  • Knocked Out Tooth. This is one of the most serious dental emergencies there is. It is important to have it treated as soon as you possibly can. We cannot stress that enough. If it happens, pick the tooth up by the crown (the biting part) and keep it moist: put it in milk, or even under your tongue. This is important. Just as important is getting to our office as soon as you can. If it’s treated within an hour there is a good chance the tooth can be successfully reinserted into its socket.

Knowing what to do in a dental emergency can make all the difference. Part of that is remembering OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford. We treat all kinds of dental emergencies. In an emergency you do not need an appointment. Walk-ins are always welcome!


OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704


OnCall Dental – Hanford


Have A Toothache? Call Us!

There are many different types of dental emergencies, and we treat them all at OnCall Dental in Fresno. But the emergency we treat the most is probably a severe toothache.

Having a toothache may sound like a simple run-of-the-mill problem, but never take that for granted. It could indicate a more serious problem, like an infection. Chances are you’ll be fine, but be sure to have your toothache treated – sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, you can do several things to ease the pain before we treat you.

  • Rinse your mouth with warm water. This cleans out any food debris in your mouth.
  • Gently floss around the toothache. Flossing cleans out anything that may be stuck between teeth.
  • Use an ice pack. An ice pack helps to reduce any swelling. Don’t place anything frozen direclty against skin, though; wrap it in a clean cloth.
  • Take pain medication. Over-the-counter pain relievers help control any pain.

Providing toothache relief is something we do almost every day at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford. We specialize in all types of emergency dentistry. In an emergency you do not need an appointment. Walk-ins are always welcome!


OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704


OnCall Dental – Hanford