Questions?
We got the answers!
I am having a dental emergency. What can I do?
When you call the office outside of normal business hours, our live answering service will have Dr. Mota call you back and answer your questions and determine the best course of action to treat your dental emergency. Sometimes it may be necessary for you to come into the office for an emergency exam and treatment. We will do everything we can to make you comfortable and to address your concerns.
How soon can you see me in an emergency?
If you experience a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to call our office. If Dr. Mota thinks it is necessary, she may have you come to our office so that we can take x-rays and provide treatment based on the type of emergency you are experiencing. In many cases, emergency treatment is needed to prevent further serious damage, reduce severe pain or even to save your tooth. We understand that experiencing any type of sudden dental trauma can be frightening and painful. But you never have to worry, because a helpful team member at Enso Dental is always just a phone call away.
I’m not a regular patient. What are my options in a dental emergency?
It is especially important to take care of dental emergencies as quickly as possible so we can try to do whatever it takes to save your tooth. Please be aware that if your dental emergency includes trauma to your head or jaw, it is imperative that you call 911 or seek immediate treatment at an emergency room. We also understand how painful and frightening a dental emergency can be, and we want to make sure that you receive the treatment you need to get relief as quickly as possible. There is no reason for you to suffer needlessly when we’re available to help you. Our team members are compassionate professionals who will advise you on the best way to handle your emergency and make arrangements for you to be seen as quickly as possible. If you or any member of your family is in need of emergency treatment, we welcome your phone call. Your oral health is extremely important to our team, and we want to protect it in any way we can.
My tooth was knocked out. What should I do?
If your tooth was knocked out as a result of injury to your head or jaw, call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately. Otherwise you should contact our office ASAP. Until you can get to our office in Cupertino, one of the most important things to avoid is touching the root of the tooth. The root has tissue attached to it that must be kept intact to help save the tooth.
It is important to get to our office quickly because the faster we can we can treat you, the better our odds are of saving the tooth. To protect the root from any further damage, hold the crown of the tooth gently, and rinse very carefully with lukewarm salt water. Do not try to scrub the tooth because it is important to protect the root and tooth by keeping it intact.
If possible, gently try to insert the root of the tooth back in its socket. Besides preventing further damage to the root, it is very important to make sure that the root does not dry out before you can get to our office. If you are unable to replace the root in the socket, place the tooth in a cup of milk or water to keep it wet.
My tooth was pushed out of position, what should I do?
Attempt to reposition the tooth to its normal alignment using very light finger pressure, but do not force the tooth.
Bite down to keep the tooth from moving.
Call Enso Dental at 408-873-0802 to set up an appointment as soon as possible.
Dr. Mota may splint the tooth in place to the two healthy teeth next to the loose tooth.
What Happens if my Child Knocks Out a Tooth?
Even if your child has knocked out a baby tooth, you should still try to keep it moist by submerging it in milk or using a dentist-approved tooth preservation product. Avoid touching the root of the tooth. The root has tissue attached to it that must be kept intact to help save the tooth. Call Enso Dental right away to set up an emergency appointment. Your Cupertino Dentist, Dr. Mota, will determine how much of the tooth has been lost and whether it should be implanted again.
How Should I Remove an Object Stuck in my Child’s Tooth?
If an object is stuck in your mouth or in your child’s mouth, try to gently remove it with floss. Cupertino Dentist, Dr. Mota cautions that sharp or pointed instruments should never be used, as they may crack the teeth or damage the soft gums. Objects stuck in teeth can be painful or cause infection if not removed. Schedule an appointment with Enso Dental if you cannot dislodge it.
What can I do about a broken tooth?
Whether you crack a tooth biting down on a hard object or have suffered facial trauma, cracked teeth can cause more than just cosmetic complications. Left untreated by a dentist, a cracked tooth can worsen, leading to infection and even tooth loss.
In the event that you crack or break one of your teeth, try to collect as many of the broken pieces as possible and wrap them in a clean, moist cloth. Call us at Enso Dental right away. The sooner you can get an appointment, the sooner they can repair the damaged tooth for you.
When a tooth is fractured:
Rinse mouth with lukewarm salt water.
Use an ice pack or cold compress to reduce swelling.
Use ibuprofen, not aspirin, for pain; providing that you don’t have an allergy or contraindication to ibuprofen or have a sensitive stomach or stomach ulcers.
Immediately get to your dentist, who will determine treatment based on how badly the tooth is broken. Only a dentist can tell how bad the break is.
Minor fracture: Minor fractures can be smoothed by your dentist with a sandpaper disc or simply left alone. Another option is to restore the tooth with a composite restoration. In either case, treat the tooth with care for several days.
Moderate fracture: Moderate fractures include damage to the enamel, dentin and/or pulp. If the pulp is not permanently damaged, the tooth may be resorted with a full permanent crown. If pupal damage does occur, further dental treatment will be required.
Severe Fracture: Severe fractures often mean a traumatized tooth with slim chance of recovery.
What should I do if the inside of my mouth is injured?
Call us at Enso Dental immediately and schedule an appointment.
When tissue is injured:
Injuries to the inside of the mouth include tears, puncture wounds and lacerations to the cheek, lips or tongue. The wound should be cleaned right away with lukewarm water, and the injured person taken to the hospital emergency room for the necessary care. Bleeding from a tongue laceration can be reduced by pulling the tongue forward and using gauze to place pressure on the wound. Most likely you will also need a follow up visit with your Cupertino Dentist, Dr. Mota.
What can I do to relieve pain or swelling?
Take an anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen. Avoid Aspirin because it contains ingredients that will thin your blood and thus exacerbate the situation. Call Enso Dental to address the cause of your pain or swelling. We might ask you to come to the office to examine your pain or swelling and take x-rays.
How do I know if my problem is a dental emergency?
There is nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night with excruciating tooth pain. In many cases, the pain may be so severe that you can’t even tell which tooth it’s coming from.
It doesn’t matter whether others think it’s an emergency, because at that moment it is certainly an emergency as far as you’re concerned. As a general guideline, some of the more common dental emergencies that we see are:
An accident or damage to your tooth that has caused it to break or fracture
An unexplained bump or pimple on your gums
Sudden severe tooth pain or swelling
A toothache that is severe enough to cause radiating facial pain
Sports injury or trauma caused by an accident
Loss of a filling, dental crown, veneer, or other type of restoration
If you have experienced any of the above, or even if you have a sudden dental problem that is not listed above, don’t ever hesitate to contact Cupertino Dentist, Dr. Mota. If your emergency happens during regular office hours, we will see you as quickly as possible.
Our live answering service will have Dr. Mota call you back and answer your questions and determine the best course of action to treat your emergency.
I lost a filling. How do I know if it’s an emergency?
There is nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night with excruciating tooth pain. In many cases, the pain may be so severe that you can’t even tell which tooth it’s coming from.
It doesn’t matter whether others think it’s an emergency, because at that moment it is certainly an emergency as far as you’re concerned. As a general guideline, some of the more common dental emergencies that we see are:
An accident or damage to your tooth that has caused it to break or fracture
An unexplained bump or pimple on your gums
Sudden severe tooth pain or swelling
A toothache that is severe enough to cause radiating facial pain
Sports injury or trauma caused by an accident
Loss of a filling, dental crown, veneer, or other type of restoration
If you have experienced any of the above, or even if you have a sudden dental problem that is not listed above, don’t ever hesitate to contact Cupertino Dentist, Dr. Mota. If your emergency happens during regular office hours, we will see you as quickly as possible.
Our live answering service will have Dr. Mota call you back and answer your questions and determine the best course of action to treat your emergency.
How can I prepare for a dental emergency?
The best way to be prepared for a dental emergency is to create a dental emergency kit and keep it somewhere that’s easily accessible in your home. The kit should include dental floss, a dental mirror, a small flashlight, Ambosol or Orajel, temporary fillings, orthodontic wax, a dental probe, cotton balls, swabs, gauze, Ibuprofen (Not aspirin, aspirin is an anti-coagulant, which may cause excessive bleeding in a dental emergency, small container with lid, saline solution and your dentist’s phone number (Enso Dental: 408-873-0802).
How can I avoid common dental emergencies?
Take good care of your teeth and practice excellent oral hygiene, such as brushing your teeth three times daily and flossing every night before bed. Also, if you play any high-contact sports, it’s in your best interest to protect your teeth by wearing a mouth guard and a helmet. Also come to see us for a regular check up, exam and dental cleaning twice a year.
My jaw is fractured. What can I do?
Call 911
Jaw injury should be considered an emergency due to the potential issues related to bleeding or limited breathing. So as you await medical help, support your jaw to provide stabilization and to maintain an open airway. Surgery might be necessary for severe breaks resulting in displaced portions of bone. Luckily, if the fracture is clean, your jaw wills self-heal as long as it’s immobilized.
The type of fracture ultimately dictates the required method of treatment. A minor break might only need a bandage for your chin and head to prevent the jaw from opening too wide. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories can ease any pain or discomfort while reducing swelling during this process. A more severe fracture, though, may require your jaw to stay wired shut for the time being to keep the jaw closed and preserve your bite. Expect at least six weeks recovery time for a fractured jaw. And because opening your mouth will (and should) be minimal if the break is serious, your diet will have to temporarily consist in liquids through a straw.