What to Do During a Dental Emergency: Tips from a Sunset Strip Dentist

Dental emergencies rarely give advance warning. Whether you chipped a front tooth at dinner on Sunset Plaza or woke up with throbbing dental pain, taking the right steps in the first 60 minutes can mean the difference between saving or losing a tooth.

Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Tooth: The Golden Hour

Handle the tooth strictly by the crown (never touch the root). Rinse gently with milk or saline if dirty, and if possible, gently re-insert it into the socket. If not, store it in cold milk or a tooth preservation kit and call our office immediately at (310) 499-2767.

Chipped or Broken Porcelain Veneer / Crown

Keep any fragments in a clean container. Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and rinse with warm salt water. Dr. Chaves reserves dedicated emergency blocks daily to bond, repair, or temporarily protect damaged restorations.

Severe, Throbbing Toothache

Persistent pain often indicates nerve inflammation or an infection beneath the pulp. Floss gently to remove trapped debris, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek, and never place aspirin directly on the gum tissue. Reach out for prompt clinical assessment.