Questions for Your Glendale Dentist
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to your oral health care. Fortunately, our Glendale dental office is here to help! We pride ourselves on helping our patients stay informed and educated about the benefits of good oral health care.
We’ll spend all the time you need and answer all your questions until we know you have the information you’re looking for. Before we begin any treatment, we’ll explain everything in detail so you know exactly what you can expect.
Here are a few of the questions we’re asked most often, but we know you probably have others. Please don’t hesitate to call our dental office or fill out our handy online contact form, and we’ll be happy to help.
Emergency Dentistry
At the dental offices of Dr. Lucio H Kim, we are doing everything in our power to be available for patients in the Glendale, CA area during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Kim is keeping the office open to treat emergency dental issues during this time. We are also providing virtual consults for anyone who has dental related questions in the Glendale area. Please reach out to our Glendale office if you are experiencing a toothache, a chipped or cracked tooth, or any other urgent issue.
Here is a video update from Dr. Kim describing emergency dental services and virtual consults:
If you are having a dental emergency, we make every effort to get you in as soon as possible. Usually, it is the same day!
Emergencies usually can't wait.
If you have extreme pain, swelling, can't open your mouth, increasing pain that doesn't go away for a couple of days, if you fell or hit your mouth and teeth on something and just want to have your lips, teeth, and gums checked out...this is what we call emergencies. If the tooth has been sensitive on and off for a month or two, if the gums are tender on and off for a month or two, if you were in an accident last year and want to get things checked out....not really categorized as an emergency, but you still should get the situation checked out.
Emergency Dentist in Glendale
If you find yourself in a different state or part of the country, give me a call and I can direct you what to do. If you call after hours and need to leave a message (which is rare b/c usually I pick up the calls after the office is closed) then we will get back to you usually that same night or first thing in the morning.
If you're still not sure if it's an emergency, call us and we can triage it for you as well!
An injury to a person’s gums or the roof of their mouth from sharp or jagged foods can be painful and unnerving. However, not every oral injury rises to “emergency” status. Small punctures or cuts from jagged foods — like tortilla chips, crusty bread, or hard candy — tend to heal on their own with time and caution. That said, it never hurts to be vigilant.
Avoiding Infection
If you get a small cut inside your mouth, there are some steps we recommend to ensure quick, hassle-free healing:
- Rinse with warm salt water to fight bacteria and clean the wound.
- Avoid excessively spicy or acidic foods and beverages, as well as potentially jagged foods that could irritate or aggravate the injury.
- Take over-the-counter pain medication in the event of lingering pain or tenderness.
However, it’s important to note that if a deep cut persists in bleeding after 10-15 minutes of gentle pressure with gauze, the area begins to swell, or the pain worsens and spreads (possibly indicating infection), you should seek emergency care immediately!
Finding the Best Emergency Dentist in Glendale, CA
If you’re in Glendale and looking for an empathetic emergency dentist for immediate care or just want to be prepared in the event of an unpleasant surprise this holiday season, contact the outstanding team at Lucio H. Kim, DDS, to schedule a consultation!
It can happen to anyone. After noticing that your tooth feels different, you realize that you’ve actually lost or broken a dental crown. That moment can be scary, but don’t panic. We are here to help.
What Should I Do If I Lose or Damage a Crown?
Damage to a dental restoration, tooth, or appliance always warrants a call to your dentist. With that in mind, the first course of action we recommend if you lose or damage your dental crown is to give us a call. Our knowledgeable team can assess your situation over the phone and offer advice.
Many situations can wait for an appointment, including breaking a dental crown, but there are times when an emergency appointment is necessary. Below we offer some guidance on whether you should visit an emergency dentist in Glendale for your convenience.
When a Broken or Lost Crown Becomes a Dental Emergency
Sharp pieces. When you assess the area, feel for any sharp or loose pieces still attached to the tooth. You can gently remove pieces that appear to be dangling to avoid swallowing them. If there are jagged or sharp edges you can’t remove and which might cut your tongue, you may need emergency dentistry.
Pain. You may or may not feel pain or sensitivity with a broken dental crown, depending on whether there’s any pulp remaining in the tooth. If the pain is not severe, you can probably schedule an appointment for the next day or two. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to help reduce discomfort.
Bleeding. It’s always a good idea to call your dentist right away if an area of your mouth won’t stop bleeding. If a blow to your mouth caused the dental crown to dislodge, that could be a dental emergency.
Can I Eat without My Dental Crown?
If you have lost your dental crown but don’t need an emergency appointment, you will, of course, need to eat in the interim between losing your crown and whenever your scheduled appointment to have it replaced. Before eating, however, your tooth will need protection. You can purchase dental putty or cement at most pharmacies to protect your tooth until you reach the dentist.
What Happens if I Accidently Swallowed the Crown?
If you’re missing a crown and suspect you swallowed it, you should contact a medical professional immediately. Your doctor will likely take x-rays to confirm that you actually swallowed the crown and didn’t breathe it into your lungs instead.
Can I Reuse My Crown?
If a dental crown fell out and is undamaged, dentists can sometimes reuse the dental crown. Your dentist will simply secure the crown back onto the tooth. A damaged crown will need replacement. Your dentist will create a new dental crown to protect your tooth properly.
Schedule Your Appointment for Dental Crowns in Glendale, CA
At the dental office of Lucio H. Kim, DDS, we use dental crowns to protect our patients’ teeth and create beautiful smiles. If you need a dental crown or if you’ve lost your dental crown and you’re in the Glendale area, please reach out to our experienced dental team for help.
If you have a toothache, you know something’s not right. It’s natural to worry, but knowing what a dental emergency is can help. While you should call your dentist any time you have a toothache here is a checklist for deciding whether to look for emergency dentistry in Glendale.
Dental Emergency Checklist
- Severe or increasing pain. Extreme pain that won’t stop and seems to be getting worse can be a sign that your tooth needs immediate attention. If you feel a pimple-like area in your mouth, it might be an abscess. Your dental office can determine whether it’s an dental emergency.
- Trauma. Feeling a crack in your tooth or dental restoration is always concerning and warrants a call to your dentist. But if you fell, had a sports accident, or hit your mouth another way, there’s a chance you need emergency dentistry. Call 911 if you suspect bodily injury.
- Bleeding. If your gums or tooth won’t stop bleeding, call your dentist to find out if you need to come in right away. Use a clean gauze pad on the area for 10 minutes to slow or stop bleeding.
- Swelling. Gums around a tooth that are inflamed may need immediate attention.
- Fever. If you have a fever that you believe is related to infected teeth or gums, call your Glendale dentist right away.