Dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time, and severe pain, a broken tooth or swelling should not be left to get worse. At Applemint in Beverly Hills, Dr. Janelle Boyce and our team prioritize same-day appointments for dental emergencies during office hours, Monday to Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM, with Friday visits available by appointment. When you call, we will talk you through what to do right away. When you arrive, we focus first on relieving your pain and protecting the tooth, then explain the follow-up care you may need.
Benefits
- Same-day appointments prioritized for emergencies during office hours
- Guidance by phone on what to do before you arrive
- Fast relief from toothache, swelling and broken teeth
- Evaluation and X-rays to find the cause, not just the symptom
- Sedation available if you are anxious
- A clear follow-up plan to restore the tooth for the long term
When to Go to the ER or Call 911
Some symptoms need an emergency room rather than a dental office. Go to the nearest ER or call 911 right away if you have:
- Facial or neck swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow
- A high fever along with swelling in your face or jaw
- Bleeding that does not stop after 10 to 15 minutes of firm pressure
- A jaw injury, such as a jaw that may be broken or dislocated, or a serious blow to the head or face
These can be signs of a spreading infection or a serious injury. Once you are stable, we can help with the dental care that follows.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency
A dental problem is usually urgent if it involves severe pain, bleeding, infection or a tooth that may be lost. Call us the same day for:
- A knocked-out or loosened adult tooth
- A severe or persistent toothache
- Swelling in the gums or face, or signs of an abscess
- A broken tooth with sharp pain or a large piece missing
- A lost crown or filling that leaves the tooth painful
Other problems are uncomfortable but can often wait until the next business day, such as a small chip with no pain, a lost filling that does not hurt, mild sensitivity or a loose crown you can keep safe. If you are not sure which group you are in, call us and we will help you decide.
First Aid Until You Can Be Seen
- Knocked-out tooth. Pick the tooth up by the crown, the part you normally see, and avoid touching the root. If it is dirty, rinse it gently with milk or water for a few seconds without scrubbing. If you can, gently push it back into the socket and bite on a clean cloth to hold it. If not, keep it in a small cup of milk. See a dentist as soon as possible, ideally within the first hour. Do not try to reinsert a baby tooth.
- Broken or chipped tooth. Rinse your mouth with warm water and save any pieces you find. Use a cold compress on your cheek to help with swelling. Cover a sharp edge with sugar-free gum or dental wax from a pharmacy to protect your tongue and cheek.
- Lost filling or crown. Keep the crown somewhere safe and bring it with you. A temporary dental cement from a pharmacy may cover the tooth or hold the crown in place for a short time. Never use household glue. Chew on the other side until you are seen.
- Toothache. Rinse with warm salt water and floss gently to remove any trapped food. An over-the-counter pain reliever taken as directed on the label may help. Do not place aspirin directly on the gum, since it can irritate the tissue.
- Swelling or abscess. A painful swelling or a pimple-like bump on the gum can signal an infection. Rinse with warm salt water and use a cold compress on the outside of your face. Call us the same day, and go to the ER if the swelling affects your breathing or swallowing or you develop a high fever.
What Happens at Your Emergency Visit
Our first goal is to get you out of pain. Dr. Boyce will examine the area, ask how the problem started and take X-rays to see what is happening below the surface, such as a crack or an infection.
From there, we relieve your pain and stabilize the tooth. Depending on what we find, that may mean placing a temporary filling, recementing a crown or beginning treatment for an infection. Before you leave, we explain what we did and what comes next.
A severe toothache or abscess often means the pulp inside the tooth is infected. Antibiotics can calm swelling for a while but cannot clear that infection, so a root canal is often the way to relieve the pain and keep your tooth.
Comfort and Sedation for Anxious Patients
We numb the area thoroughly before any treatment and explain each step as we go. If you feel very anxious, ask about sleep dentistry. Sedation can help you relax through treatment, and we will review your health history first to make sure it is right for you.
Our Hours and Reaching Us
Our Beverly Hills office is open Monday to Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM, with Friday visits by appointment. We are closed on weekends. If you have a dental emergency during office hours, call 310-362-8179 and we will do our best to see you the same day.
Outside our hours, go to an emergency room if you have any of the warning signs above; otherwise, use the first aid steps on this page and call us when we open. Concierge patients have a direct way to reach our team, and we prioritize urgent problems such as severe pain, swelling or a broken tooth.
The Process, Step by Step
Call us right away
Call 310-362-8179 during office hours. We will ask about your symptoms and tell you what to do before you arrive.
Prompt evaluation
Dr. Boyce examines the tooth and surrounding area and takes X-rays to find the cause of the problem.
Pain relief
We numb the area and address the source of the pain, with sedation available if you are anxious.
Stabilizing treatment
We protect the tooth with treatment such as a temporary filling, a recemented crown or the start of infection care.
Follow-up plan
We explain any restorative care you may need, such as a crown or root canal, and schedule it with you.
Your Emergency Dentistry Dentist
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you offer same-day emergency appointments?
- Yes. During office hours, Monday to Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM, we prioritize same-day appointments for dental emergencies. Friday visits are available by appointment.
- What should I do if a problem happens after hours?
- If you have swelling that affects your breathing or swallowing, a high fever with facial swelling, uncontrolled bleeding or a jaw or head injury, go to the ER or call 911. Otherwise, use the first aid steps on this page and call us when we open.
- How fast do I need to act if a tooth gets knocked out?
- As fast as you can. A knocked-out adult tooth has the best chance of being saved when it is put back in place or kept in milk and seen by a dentist quickly, ideally within the first hour.
- Can a lost filling wait until tomorrow?
- Often, yes, if the tooth does not hurt. Keep the area clean, chew on the other side and call us during the next business day. If the tooth is painful or sensitive, call us sooner.
- Can I be sedated for emergency treatment?
- Sedation is available for anxious patients through our sleep dentistry service. We review your health history first, and whether it suits a particular visit depends on your situation and the treatment you need.
- What if my child has a dental emergency?
- Call us. Dr. Boyce sees patients of every age. If a baby tooth is knocked out, do not try to put it back in. Keep your child calm and call us for guidance.
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