

When an emergency strikes, you know to call 911 or go to the hospital. However, when a dental emergency appears, it can be hard to know who to call or even if you should. Even if you have the slightest concern that your smile is in trouble, whether you’re experiencing tooth discomfort, oral injury, or something else, call us! Even if you call after hours, stay on the line to hear our after-hours business number. At Nelson Y. Howard, D.D.S., our top priority is getting you out of pain and preventing your dental emergency from getting worse! Contact our dental office right away for emergency dentistry in Rancho Bernardo, CA.
Dental emergencies generally occur in two different ways. There are long-term dental issues that suddenly cause discomfort (such as a cavity or dental infection) and then there are oral injuries that occur due to physical trauma. Both of them can be treated at our dental office when you call. Here are some examples of emergencies that we can help with.
Many dental emergencies come with their own unique costs, which is why the best way to know for sure how much you can expect to pay for treatment is by visiting our dental office for care. After all, dental emergencies do not get better on their own, so not seeking treatment will only allow the problem to worsen, resulting in higher overall costs. Regardless, we’re happy to help you build a treatment plan that fits within your budget and offer third-party financing if necessary.
While dental emergencies can happen out of nowhere, there are ways to reduce your risk of experiencing them. For example, brushing twice a day and flossing once a day can prevent a wide variety of dental concerns. However, it’s also important to never use your teeth as a tool (such as for opening packages or bottles), always avoid biting your nails or on pens and pencils, and use caution when chewing certain hard foods. Avoid crunching ice cubes as well. Finally, if you aren’t already scheduling routine visits at our dental office every six months, doing so can greatly reduce your risk for dental emergencies.
In some cases, your dental emergency may require root canal treatment, a common procedure used to treat infections in the pulp of teeth. Please keep in mind that you will be completely comfortable during the entire procedure after receiving local anesthesia, ensuring your treatment feels hardly any different than receiving a dental filling. If you don’t undergo root canal treatment when you need it, the infection inside your tooth will continue to grow, develop, and possibly involve neighboring teeth.