Imagine this: You’re sitting at the table after dinner, enjoying time with your family, when out of nowhere a sharp pain shoots through your tooth. Feels scary!
Imagine your kid comes running in from the backyard, holding a tooth in their hand with tears streaming down their face. Scary, right? Dental emergencies have a knack for showing up at the worst possible times. But here’s the good news: if you know the right moves, and you’ve got a trusted dentist on speed dial – you can stay calm and handle it.
At Taylorsville Implant Center, Dr. Jose Hernandez-Gil has seen it all: folks walking in clutching their jaw in pain, worried about more than just the ache – they’re scared about lasting damage. His biggest piece of advice? Don’t panic. Take a breath, act quickly, and follow some simple steps. In this guide, you’ll find his best tips pulled straight from real-life experience, not just textbooks.
Because when your tooth is throbbing, you don’t just need a dentist – you need someone who cares. Dr. Hernandez-Gil has built his reputation on more than precision. He listens first, reassures second, and only then gets to work.
Once, the patient cracked her crown while biting into candy. She came in embarrassed, convinced her smile was ruined. Instead of rushing into treatment, Dr. Hernandez-Gil explained her options, fixed her tooth quickly, and sent her out the door grinning with relief. That blend of skill and heart is what makes his advice worth trusting.
Not every tooth twinge requires sprinting to the dentist. But in some situations, you shouldn’t wait a second. According to Dr. Hernandez-Gil, true emergencies include:
Signs of infection, such as fever, swelling, or pus in the jaw or face, are on the flip side; things like clear aligner adjustments, dental implants, or cosmetic crowns can usually wait until regular hours. These treatments do require regular checkups and appointments.
1. Knocked-Out Tooth: Handle it carefully – pick it up by the crown, not the root. Rinse gently, no scrubbing. Try slipping it back into place and biting down on gauze. If that’s a no-go, store it in milk or your saliva. Then hustle to the dentist, time’s ticking, and every minute counts.
2. Throbbing Toothache: Start with a warm salt-water rinse, then floss to clear out any hidden food. Still hurting? Press a cold compress on your cheek. Painkillers help, but don’t put aspirin on your gums – it burns. Call the clinic right away.
3. Broken or Chipped Tooth: Rinse it with water, save any pieces you can, and use gauze to stop bleeding. Cold compresses help with swelling. Even tiny chips should get checked; sensitivity can be a warning sign.
4. Abscess or Swelling: This one’s serious. An abscess means infection. Rinse it with salt water, hold a cold compress, and get to the Taylorsville Implant Center as soon as possible. Don’t ever try popping it yourself – you’ll just spread bacteria.
5. Lost Filling or Crown: Cover the tooth with sugar-free gum or dental wax. Skip chewing on that side. Then call for an appointment before the tooth gets sensitive or infected.
6. Cuts in the Mouth: Rinse with warm salt water, press gently with gauze, and use a cold compress. If bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes, seek urgent medical attention.
7. Something Stuck Between Teeth: Try flossing first. Move gently, no sawing. Never use pins or sharp tools – they’ll only cause more trouble. If flossing fails, head in for help.
Dental Emergencies don’t just hurt – they make folks worry about the bill. Dr. Hernandez Gil gets it, and that’s why his clinic keeps things simple.
Insurance Help: The clinic works with popular insurance providers like MetLife, Cigna, Aetna, Guardian, Humana, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and United Healthcare. They’re experts at handling paperwork so you can focus on healing, not forms. But if you don’t see your insurance provider listed, please don’t hesitate to call the office at Taylorsville Implant Center. They’ll surely answer all your questions about your specific plan.
Smile Savings Plan: No insurance? No problem. For $350 a year (yep, less than a buck a day), you get two cleanings, two exams, needed X-rays, plus 10% off all treatments. (Excludes dental implants, cosmetic treatments, clear aligners, as these are extensive treatments typically not covered under emergency care and require multiple appointments.)
Families, retirees, freelancers – lots of folks call this plan a lifesaver.
Simple Payments: Just bring your ID, insurance card, and any records. The team handles the rest. No surprises, no headaches.
As per Dr. Hernandez-Gil, the best way to handle a dental emergency is to avoid it in the first place – and honestly, it doesn’t take much effort.
And whatever you do, don’t neglect your regular checkups. That’s how dentists catch small issues early, before they turn into big, expensive headaches.
Truth be told, walking into a dentist’s chair while you’re hurting is scary. The pain’s bad enough, but the fear of what’s about to happen can really shake you. That’s why Dr. Hernandez-Gil and his team make it a point to calm nerves, explain every step, and help patients feel safe from the moment they walk in.
They talk you through what’s happening, keep things simple and clear, and focus on making you feel safe before they even pick up a tool. By the time the visit is over, most patients walk out not just relieved but surprised at how much calmer they feel about seeing the dentist in the future. Moreover, you can read this article about how to handle dental anxiety: tips for a calmer visit!
If you’re in a lot of pain, your face is swelling, you’ve got nonstop bleeding, or a tooth has been knocked out, don’t wait—it’s urgent. Small chips or mild aches can usually hold off until office hours, but anything that feels “serious” should be checked right away.
First, don’t touch the root—pick it up by the top part (the crown). Rinse it gently, and if you can, pop it back into place and bite down softly. If that’s too painful, slip it into milk or even your saliva, then head straight to the dentist. The sooner you act, the better chance of saving it.
Absolutely! At Taylorville Implant Center, we offer a "Smile Saving Plan" plan which is designed just for patients like you. You’ll get comprehensive care at a flat yearly rate—and 15% off on other services (excluding implants & clear aligners).
Most of the time, a dentist is your best bet, as they can actually fix the tooth. The ER can help with pain and swelling, but they usually can’t do dental treatment. The only time you should head to the ER first is if the swelling is spreading fast, you’ve got a fever, or you’re having trouble breathing.
Yes, most emergencies can be avoided with a little care. Wear a mouthguard when you play sports, don’t chew on ice or hard candy, and keep up with brushing, flossing, and your regular checkups. Catching small problems early saves you from big surprises later.
Nothing ruins a good day faster than a sharp toothache or a broken tooth. Still, it doesn’t have to turn into a disaster. With the right steps, you can calm the pain, keep your teeth safe, and bounce back faster than you might expect. Dr. Jose Hernandez-Gil and his team at Taylorsville Implant Center are ready to help – whether it’s midnight tooth pain, a kid’s knocked-out tooth, or sudden swelling.
Add their number to your phone now! When life throws you a curveball, you’ll know exactly who to call. The second you call Dr. Hernandez-Gil, it doesn’t feel like just another appointment. It feels like help is already on the way. Even before you step in the door, you’ll sense things are turning around.
Schedule your initial consultation today and start your journey towards a pain-free, healthier smile. Contact us now!
We are committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate dental care to Salt Lake City, Taylorsville, and West Valley City patients.
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