A cracked tooth on a Saturday morning. A toothache that kept you up all night. A soccer ball to the face that left your child's front tooth loose. Dental emergencies rarely happen at a good time, and in the moment it's hard to know what to do first.
This guide walks you through it. You'll learn which problems need care today, what you can do at home before you reach us, and what happens when you walk into Agoura Dental Group for an emergency visit.
What counts as a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any problem with your teeth, gums, or mouth that needs care right away to stop pain, stop bleeding, treat infection, or save a tooth.
Call us the same day if you have:
- Severe or throbbing tooth pain that won't go away, especially with swelling or fever
- A knocked-out tooth, or an adult tooth that has been pushed out of place
- A cracked, chipped, or broken tooth, especially if it hurts or has a sharp edge
- Swelling in your gums, jaw, or face, which can be a sign of infection
- A lost filling or crown that leaves the tooth exposed or painful
- Bleeding that won't stop after an injury or extraction
- Pain and swelling around a wisdom tooth
Some problems can wait a day or two. A small chip with no pain, mild sensitivity, or a loose retainer usually fits here. If you're not sure, call us at (818) 706-2727. Our team can help you decide how soon you need to be seen.
Should you go to the dentist or the ER?
For most tooth and gum problems, a dentist is the better choice. Emergency rooms can manage pain and infection, but most can't repair a broken tooth, do a root canal, or save a knocked-out tooth. You'll often leave with a prescription and still need to see a dentist.
Go to the ER or call 911 if you have:
- Swelling that spreads to your eye, neck, or throat
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- A high fever with facial swelling
- A possible broken jaw or a serious head injury
These can be signs of a spreading infection or a more serious injury, and they need hospital care first. Once you're stable, we can take over the dental side.
What to do before you get to the office
What you do in the first hour can make a real difference, especially with injuries.
If a tooth is knocked out: Pick it up by the top (the crown), not the root. If it's dirty, rinse it gently with milk or water. Don't scrub it. Try to place it back in the socket and bite down gently on gauze. If you can't, keep it in a cup of milk or tucked inside your cheek. Call us right away. The sooner you're seen, the better the chance of saving the tooth.
If a tooth is cracked or broken: Rinse your mouth with warm water. Save any pieces you can find. A cold compress on your cheek can help with swelling. Avoid chewing on that side.
If you have a bad toothache: Rinse with warm salt water and gently floss around the tooth in case something is stuck. An over-the-counter pain reliever can help. Never put aspirin directly on your gums, since it can burn the tissue.
If you lose a filling or crown: Keep the crown if you have it and bring it with you. Dental wax or temporary cement from the pharmacy can cover the spot until you're seen.
If your face or gums are swollen: Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek. Don't use heat, and don't try to drain a bump on your gums yourself. Swelling can get worse quickly, so call us that day.
What happens at an emergency visit at Agoura Dental Group
Our goal is simple: get you out of pain first, then fix the problem.
- Call us. Tell us what happened and how you're feeling. We'll find the soonest opening, often the same day.
- Focused exam and X-rays. Your dentist looks closely at the problem area and takes digital X-rays to see what's going on below the surface. Learn more about our emergency dental exam.
- Pain relief. Before anything else, we make sure you're comfortable. If you feel anxious about dental visits, we offer sedation options to help you relax.
- A clear plan. Your dentist explains what they found, your treatment options, and what each one involves.
- Treatment, often the same visit. Many problems can be treated right then. Others may need a short follow-up to finish the work.
Why having every specialist in one office matters in an emergency
At many dental offices, an emergency visit ends with a referral. You get a temporary fix and a phone number for a specialist, and you wait for another appointment while the tooth still hurts.
At Agoura Dental Group, our team includes a general dentist, an endodontist (root canal specialist), a periodontist, an oral surgeon, an implant specialist, a pediatric dentist, and an orthodontist. That means:
- An infected tooth can go straight to an emergency root canal with our endodontist.
- A tooth abscess or wisdom tooth emergency can be handled by our surgical team without a referral.
- A tooth that can't be saved can be planned for an implant by the same people who removed it.
Fewer handoffs means less waiting, fewer repeat X-rays, and one team that knows your full history.
Common dental emergencies we treat
- Toothaches and tooth pain: We find the cause, whether it's a cavity, a crack, or an infection, and treat it.
- Broken or cracked teeth: Depending on the damage, we may use bonding, a crown, or a same-day crown.
- Lost fillings and crowns: We can often recement your crown or replace a filling in one visit.
- Infections and abscesses: We treat the infection and relieve the pressure that causes pain.
- Knocked-out or loose teeth: We work to put the tooth back in place and stabilize it.
- Wisdom tooth pain: We treat infected or impacted wisdom teeth and remove them when needed.
See all of our urgent dental care options.
Dental emergencies in children
Kids fall off bikes, collide on the field, and bite down on things they shouldn't. When your child has a dental injury, stay calm and follow the same steps above, with one important difference.
If a baby tooth is knocked out, don't try to put it back. Pushing it back in can damage the adult tooth growing underneath. Keep the tooth, apply gentle pressure with gauze to stop bleeding, and call us.
Our pediatric dentist sees children's dental emergencies in a calm, kid-friendly setting. If your child plays sports, a custom sports guard is one of the best ways to prevent these injuries in the first place.
How to lower your risk of a dental emergency
Not every emergency can be prevented, but many can:
- Keep up with regular cleanings and exams so small problems are caught early.
- Wear a mouthguard for sports.
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
- Don't chew ice, hard candy, or pen caps.
- Don't use your teeth to open packages or bottles.
- Don't ignore a toothache that comes and goes. It often gets worse.
What does emergency dental care cost?
Cost depends on what you need. A simple repair costs less than a root canal or extraction. We'll explain your options and costs before we start any treatment.
We accept most major PPO plans and Medi-Cal, and many plans cover emergency exams and X-rays. Check our insurance page for accepted plans, or see our financing options if you need help spreading out the cost.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a same-day emergency appointment?
Yes, in most cases. Call as early in the day as you can, and we'll find the soonest opening.
Do you see emergency patients on weekends?
We're open Saturdays from 10 to 3, and Sunday appointments are available by request.
Do I need to be an existing patient?
No. We see both new and existing patients for dental emergencies.
Will I be in pain during treatment?
We numb the area before treatment, and sedation is available if you feel nervous. Our first goal is always to make you comfortable.
What if my tooth can't be saved?
If a tooth needs to be removed, we'll talk with you about replacement options like a dental implant or bridge, all planned within the same office.
Get emergency dental care in Agoura Hills today
Don't wait out dental pain. The sooner you're seen, the easier it usually is to fix the problem and save your tooth.
Call (818) 706-2727 or book your visit online. Our office at 5809 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills is open Monday through Friday 9 to 6 and Saturday 10 to 3, with Sunday appointments by request. We proudly serve families from Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Westlake Village, Oak Park, Thousand Oaks, and Malibu.
