A dental emergency is scary, but your next step is simple: call us first at (925) 930-8465. Tell us what happened, and our team will guide you through what to do right away and get you in as soon as possible. Kwon & Jabbour Dental reserves time for same-day emergency appointments Monday through Thursday, because tooth pain should never have to wait days for relief.
If you are searching "emergency dentist Walnut Creek" in the middle of a crisis, take a breath. This page tells you exactly what to do for the most common emergencies, when the ER is the safer choice, and how we will get you out of pain.
If you are in real pain or something is broken, bleeding, or knocked out, treat it as an emergency and call. Common dental emergencies include:
When in doubt, call. Describing your symptoms over the phone costs nothing, and our team can tell you whether you need to come in today, wait until tomorrow, or head to the ER.
Do: Act fast, because time matters most here. Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white chewing part), not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it gently with milk or water for a few seconds. If you can, place it back in the socket and bite gently on gauze or a clean cloth. If not, keep it in a small cup of milk and call us immediately. A tooth replanted within the hour has the best chance of survival.
Don't: Scrub the tooth, wrap it in tissue, or let it dry out.
Do: Rinse with warm salt water, floss gently to remove any trapped food, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the label. A cold compress on the outside of your cheek can ease throbbing.
Don't: Place aspirin directly on the gum (it burns the tissue), and do not ignore pain that keeps you up at night. That is often a sign of infection that will not resolve on its own.
Do: Rinse your mouth with warm water and save any pieces you can find. Cover a sharp edge with orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum to protect your tongue and cheek. Use a cold compress if there is swelling.
Don't: Chew on that side, or assume a painless chip can wait forever. Cracks let bacteria into the tooth.
Do: Keep the crown if you have it, and keep the area clean. Dental cement from a pharmacy can temporarily protect the tooth. Stick to soft foods and call us for a prompt visit.
Don't: Use household glue on a crown, ever.
Do: Call us right away. Facial swelling often means an abscess, which is a pocket of infection that needs treatment, not just time. Rinse with salt water and use a cold compress while you wait.
Don't: Try to pop or drain anything yourself, and do not just take painkillers and hope it disappears.
Some emergencies are bigger than a dental office. Go to the emergency room, or call 911, if you have:
John Muir Medical Center is close to our Walnut Creek office and equipped for these situations. Once you are stabilized, we will handle the dental side of your recovery.
Once you are in our chair, our first priority is getting you comfortable and out of pain. Then Dr. Kwon or Dr. Jabbour will find the cause and explain your options clearly. Common emergency treatments include:
While you wait for your appointment: take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed on the label, use a cold compress in 15-minute intervals, rinse with warm salt water, and keep your head elevated when lying down. Avoid very hot, cold, or sweet foods that trigger the tooth, and skip chewing on the sore side. If pain suddenly stops on its own, still keep your appointment. A nerve that dies quietly can still be infected.
We want to be straightforward with you: our office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30am to 5:00pm, and we reserve room in those days for same-day emergency visits.
If your emergency happens on an evening or weekend, call (925) 930-8465 and listen to the message for guidance, and leave a message so our team can respond as quickly as possible when we return. Use the first-aid steps above to manage in the meantime. And if you have any of the ER symptoms listed earlier, especially swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, do not wait for us: go to the emergency room right away.
Worry about cost should never keep you from calling about severe pain or infection, because dental emergencies almost always get more expensive the longer they wait. The cost of emergency treatment varies with what the tooth needs, and we will give you clear numbers before treatment begins.
Our team helps you maximize your insurance benefits and handles the claims paperwork. You can review our insurance policies and, for larger treatments, 0% financing through CareCredit can spread the cost into manageable monthly payments.
No, our office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30am to 5:00pm, and we would rather tell you that honestly than leave you guessing. For weekend emergencies, call our office line and follow the message guidance, and use the first-aid steps on this page. For swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, facial trauma, or uncontrolled bleeding, go straight to the emergency room.
Do not tough it out and do not wait for it to get worse. Call Kwon & Jabbour Dental at (925) 930-8465 for same-day emergency care, Monday through Thursday, 8:30am to 5:00pm. We will get you comfortable, explain your options, and fix the problem properly.
Serving Walnut Creek and nearby communities including Concord, Pleasant Hill, Lafayette, Alamo, and Martinez.
Kwon & Jabbour Dental, 108 La Casa Via, Suite 102, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
