Your Emergency Dentist in Santa Barbara, Lompoc, and Santa Maria, CA

Home » Dental Services » General Dentistry Services » Emergency Dentistry

Are you experiencing a dental emergency and need immediate assistance? Dental emergencies can never be predicted, and it is important to seek care as soon as possible if you have one.

At Pathway Dental Group, we offer same-day appointments for emergency dental care. Whether you’re a current patient or haven’t seen us before, we provide emergency dentistry in Santa Barbara County. We’re here to provide treatment for these serious, time-sensitive oral health issues without judgment. It’s all about making sure you’re stable and healthy.

Additionally, as a current patient, you can access emergency treatment after our regular business hours. Simply call the office closest to you and we’ll put you in touch with our on-call emergency dentist.

Whether you’re experiencing sudden pain or structural damage, our compassionate team of dental professionals will work swiftly. They’ll diagnose the issue, ease your discomfort, and put your worries to rest.

We treat dental emergencies across Santa Barbara County. We can help you find:

An emergency dentist in Lompoc
An emergency dentist in Santa Barbara
An emergency dentist in Santa Maria

Read on to learn about the emergency dentistry services we offer and what you can do to treat discomfort before your appointment.

What is Considered a Dental Emergency?

Severe tooth pain, infections, and accidents can happen at any time. If you have a sudden, unexpected oral health issue that requires urgent treatment, that is considered a dental emergency. You’ll find examples of the most common dental emergencies below.

How can you tell if your oral health issue is truly an emergency? In some cases, it can be obvious. A broken or lost tooth or severe swelling that seems like an infection is a clear sign that you need an emergency dentist.

In other situations, think about how the oral health issue impacts your daily life. If your issue makes it difficult or impossible to sleep, eat, or go to work or school, it’s probably a dental emergency. Get in touch with us to book a same-day appointment and protect your oral and overall health!

A closeup image of a smile with a chipped tooth

Broken
Tooth

You can save broken teeth, but they must be treated right away. If you still have the broken-off piece of your tooth, place it in a container of milk to preserve it until you can be seen by a dentist. Alternatively, veneers, crowns, and other options for restoration are available if your original tooth cannot successfully be mended. We recommend using a cold compress to treat pain or swelling until you can be seen.

A Knocked-Out
Tooth

Losing a tooth can be very distressing, but teeth can often be reattached if you treat the issue quickly. You can pick up the tooth by the crown (be careful not to touch the root) and wash off any debris with milk. You can either try to put the tooth back into its socket or leave it in a container with milk. Regardless of the circumstances, you should contact our office to seek immediate assistance with any tooth loss.

Close up of patient pulling down lips to reveal red inflamed gums

Swollen Gums and/or
Facial Swelling

Do you have severe inflammation around your gums combined with irritation and discomfort? It could be a serious infection. If you are experiencing intense gum pain in one area of your mouth, you may have some debris stuck between the teeth, causing irritation. You may also be experiencing symptoms of gum disease or other health conditions. If you have severe swelling in your face and gums, you should seek emergency dental care.

Senior dental patient with a tooth pain holding his jaw

Severe Toothache

Severe swelling and pain concentrated around a specific tooth or region of your mouth can be symptoms of tooth decay, exposed nerves, and other dental issues. Whether your pain is mild, moderate, or severe, we still recommend coming in to receive proper care. If you are experiencing pain between two teeth, try flossing and rinsing with warm water to see if there is any debris causing discomfort. If that doesn’t help, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers with cold compresses until you can receive treatment.

A dental x-ray showing an intense white cap over a patient's tooth

Infection

Infection in your teeth or gums is a serious condition that needs to be treated with proper antibiotics. In severe cases, these kinds of infections can lead to tooth loss or other health complications from the infection getting into the bloodstream. As a general rule, if you are experiencing any significant amount of tooth or gum pain, we recommend seeing an oral health professional immediately.

Magnifying glass revealing a missing filling on a patient's molar

Lost Filling or Crown

If your temporary crown is lost or broken, it must be replaced. Delaying the restoration of the crown can allow the tooth to shift, which may impact the process. If you have lost a crown and are waiting to be seen by a dentist, one thing you can do in the meantime is purchase dental cement at a local pharmacy. Dental cement can be used to cover the exposed tooth and protect it from bacteria, discomfort, and further damage. We always prioritize your care. If you’re experiencing a lost filling or crown, we will get you in as soon as possible to evaluate your condition.

What to Expect At Your Emergency Dental Care Visit?

While oral health emergencies are alarming, we have an efficient system set up to help you through every part of your emergency dentistry appointment.

First, our staff will diagnose the issue and determine what care you need. We will work quickly to minimize any pain, treat the problem, and do our best to ensure that you can return home comfortably and safely.

Depending on the circumstances, you may need to return to our office for one or more follow-up visits to ensure you have fully healed or to treat more complex dental care conditions. We will ensure that you have any medications necessary to control infections or to manage ongoing pain.

Dental Emergency in Santa Barbara, Lompoc, or Santa Maria? Book Now!

If you’ve experienced a dental emergency or have severe tooth pain and you delay getting proper treatment, it can lead to additional damage, infection, or decay. It’s important to find an accessible dentist who you can trust to give you fast, excellent, and compassionate care whether you’re a first-time patient or have been coming for years.

Even if your issue isn’t an emergency, we recognize the discomfort and many other problems it can cause. Just give one of our offices a call! They’ll help you understand your issue and schedule an appointment, whether it’s an emergency or not.

If you are in the Santa Barbara, Lompoc, or Santa Maria area and need same-day care for a dental emergency, Pathway Dental Group is here to help! We’ll treat your needs with compassion and expertise. Book an appointment today.