Emergency dental care is treatment for a sudden dental problem such as severe pain, a broken or knocked-out tooth, or swelling. Redondo Beach Dental Group welcomes existing and new patients with urgent problems at 2511 Artesia Blvd, a short drive from Torrance, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.
Same-Day, Walk-In and After-Hours Emergency Care
We offer same-day appointments for dental emergencies. If you are in pain, call (310) 542-6988 now and tell us what happened, where it hurts and whether there is swelling. You can also walk in during our regular hours, though calling first lets you describe the problem before you arrive.
After-hours and weekend emergency care is also available. Call the same number and our team will guide you on what to do right away and arrange an urgent appointment.
When to Go to the ER Instead
Some problems need a hospital first, whatever the time. Call 911 or go to an emergency room if you have:
- Trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing
- Swelling that is spreading across your face, under your jaw or toward your eye, or a sudden change in your vision
- Swelling so severe that you can hardly open your mouth
- Bleeding that does not slow after firm, steady pressure
- A blow to the face or jaw, especially if the jaw may be broken, or any loss of consciousness
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that tooth disorders led to about 1.9 million US emergency room visits a year in 2020 to 2022. An emergency room can help with pain and with signs of serious infection, but it is generally not set up to repair the tooth, so the tooth still needs a dentist afterward.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency
A dental emergency is a problem that needs a dentist soon, because waiting can cost you the tooth or let an infection grow. These are the most common ones.
Severe or Constant Toothache
Pain that wakes you at night, does not ease with an over-the-counter pain reliever taken as directed on the label, or comes with swelling or a bad taste in your mouth should be examined. A common cause is infection inside the tooth, which root canal therapy is designed to treat. A pimple-like bump on the gum or a swollen cheek points the same way. Painkillers can calm the symptoms, but a dental abscess does not go away on its own.
Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out permanent tooth is the most time-sensitive dental injury. Call us right away, and go to an emergency room first if the blow was to the head.
Broken, Chipped or Cracked Tooth
A broken tooth can expose the inner layers of the tooth, which may cause sensitivity and let bacteria in. Even a small chip deserves a look, because cracks can run deeper than they appear.
Lost Filling or Crown
A lost filling or crown leaves the tooth exposed. It is often less urgent than severe pain, but do not leave it for weeks. When a crown is the answer, ask us whether a same-day crown suits your tooth.
Children
Baby teeth are handled differently from permanent teeth, and a knocked-out baby tooth is not put back. Parents can find the steps for emergency pediatric dental care, including what to do for a baby tooth.
What to Do Before You Reach Us
These are general first-aid steps to use until you are seen.
- Knocked-out permanent tooth: hold it by the crown, not the root. The American Dental Association says to keep it moist, either by trying to place it back in the socket without touching the root or by storing it in milk or a tooth preservation product, and to get to the dentist right away.
- Toothache: rinse with warm water and use floss to remove food caught around the tooth. Do not put aspirin on the tooth or gum.
- Cracked or broken tooth: rinse with warm water, save any pieces, and hold a cold compress on the outside of the cheek to keep swelling down.
- Pain: an over-the-counter pain reliever, taken as directed on the label, can ease discomfort until you are seen. It does not treat the cause.
Which Problems Can Wait?
It depends on the problem. Use these three groups as a guide, and call us if you are unsure.
- Go to the ER now: trouble breathing or swallowing, spreading facial swelling, bleeding that will not stop, a possible broken jaw.
- Call us right away, including after hours: a knocked-out permanent tooth, severe pain, swelling limited to one spot, a broken tooth with a sharp edge that cuts your tongue or cheek, a tooth that is loose after an injury.
- Book a visit in the next few days: a small chip with no pain, a lost filling with only mild sensitivity, a dull ache that comes and goes.
Pain that fades by itself does not always mean the problem has gone, because a tooth with a dying nerve can stop hurting while infection keeps growing.
What to Expect at an Emergency Visit
X-rays are often needed to find the cause of a tooth problem, and what can be done at the visit depends on what is found, so ask us what to expect for your problem. A tooth that cannot be saved may need to be removed, and replacement options include a dental implant, which costs $3,000 to $6,000 per implant at our office, including the abutment and crown.
Cost and Insurance
The cost of urgent care depends on what the tooth needs: an exam and X-rays cost less than a root canal, a crown or a removal, and follow-up care is a separate step. Ask us for an estimate when you call.
We accept PPO plans; ask us how your plan applies to urgent care. For patients without insurance we have an in-office plan, and we offer payment plans through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub.
Preventing the Next Emergency
Regular dental cleanings and exams find decay, worn fillings and cracks before they hurt. Avoiding ice, hard candy and chewing on pens helps prevent cracked teeth, and a mouth guard worn for sports protects them from blows.
Who Will See You
Dr. Moshe Eizdi leads care at Redondo Beach Dental Group. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Southern California, where he graduated with honors, and his work covers cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including implant restorations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is a sudden problem that needs a dentist soon, such as severe or constant tooth pain, a knocked-out or broken tooth, swelling, or signs of infection. A lost filling or small chip is usually less urgent, but it should still be checked within a few days.
Will the ER do anything for a tooth?
An emergency room can treat pain, swelling and signs of serious infection, but it is generally not set up to repair or save the tooth itself. After an ER visit you still need a dentist, so call Redondo Beach Dental Group afterward to have the tooth treated.
What to do if a toothache is unbearable?
If a toothache is unbearable, call a dentist right away and describe the pain. Rinse with warm water, use floss to clear trapped food, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the label. Go to an emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing or swelling that is spreading.
What to do if I have a dental emergency in the middle of the night?
If a dental emergency happens in the middle of the night, go to an emergency room for trouble breathing or swallowing, spreading swelling, or bleeding that will not stop. For other problems, use the first-aid steps and call Redondo Beach Dental Group at (310) 542-6988. After-hours and weekend emergency care is available, and our team will guide you on what to do and arrange an urgent appointment.
Can I get a same-day emergency dental appointment as a new patient?
Redondo Beach Dental Group offers same-day appointments for dental emergencies to existing and new patients. Call (310) 542-6988 and describe the problem, or walk in during regular hours.
What should I do if my tooth is knocked out?
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, keep it moist and call a dentist right away. The American Dental Association says to hold it without touching the root and try placing it back in the socket, or to store it in milk or a tooth preservation product. Go to an emergency room first if the injury involved a blow to the head.
Call Us About a Dental Emergency in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Dental Group is at 2511 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. Our regular hours are Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with same-day emergency appointments and after-hours care by phone. Call (310) 542-6988 or request an appointment online for a problem that can wait a few days. Once the urgent problem is treated, you can stay with us for routine general and family dentistry in Redondo Beach, from checkups to fillings.