Emergency Dentist in Lawndale, CA

Q: What should I do if my child knocks out a baby tooth?

Do not try to replant a baby tooth, as this can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. Control the bleeding with gentle pressure, apply a cold compress for swelling, and call us to schedule an evaluation. If it is a permanent tooth, get to our office immediately.

Q: Can I go to the emergency room for a dental emergency?

You can, but a dental office is usually a better choice. Emergency rooms can manage pain and prescribe antibiotics, but they typically cannot perform dental procedures like re-implanting a tooth, starting a root canal, or repairing a fracture. If you have facial trauma, uncontrollable bleeding, or difficulty breathing, go to the ER first.

Q: What if I have a dental emergency after hours?

If you experience a dental emergency outside of office hours, call our main number at (310) 371-6513 for guidance. For severe facial trauma, uncontrollable bleeding, or difficulty breathing, go to your nearest emergency room immediately.

In pain right now? Call us. We see emergency patients the same day, and walk-ins are always welcome.

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Dental Emergencies Don’t Wait, and Neither Should You

A dental emergency can happen at any time. A sudden toothache that wakes you up at 3am. A chipped tooth during lunch. A knocked-out tooth at your kid’s soccer game. When it happens, the last thing you need is to call around to five offices and hear “our next opening is in two weeks.”

At K&E Family Dental, we reserve time in our schedule specifically for emergency patients. Call us at (310) 371-6513 during office hours and we’ll do everything we can to get you in the same day. Walk-ins are welcome too. If you’re in the Lawndale, Hawthorne, Gardena, or South Bay area and need urgent dental care, come to us.

The sooner you’re seen, the better the outcome. Many dental emergencies are time-sensitive, and getting treatment within the first hour or two can mean the difference between saving a tooth and losing it.

Common Dental Emergencies We Treat

Severe toothache. A toothache that won’t go away, keeps you from sleeping, or comes with swelling usually signals an infection or deep decay that needs immediate attention. We’ll identify the source of the pain and get you relief, whether that means draining an abscess, starting a root canal, prescribing antibiotics, or another approach.
Chipped, cracked, or broken tooth. Whether it happened from biting down on something hard, a sports injury, or an accident, a damaged tooth needs to be evaluated quickly. Small chips may only need bonding or smoothing. Larger fractures may require a crown. If the break extends below the gum line or exposes the nerve, more involved treatment may be needed to save the tooth.
Knocked-out tooth. Time matters here more than almost any other dental emergency. If a permanent tooth is knocked out cleanly, there’s a real chance it can be replanted if you get to us within 30 to 60 minutes. Handle the tooth by the crown (not the root), gently rinse it if it’s dirty, and try to place it back in the socket or keep it in milk on your way to our office. Call ahead so we can prepare.
Lost filling or crown. When a filling falls out or a crown comes off, the exposed tooth is vulnerable to further decay, sensitivity, and breakage. Save the crown if you have it and call us to schedule a repair as soon as possible. As a temporary measure, you can apply dental cement or even sugar-free gum over the exposed area to protect it until your appointment.
Dental abscess. An abscess is a pocket of infection, usually at the root of a tooth or in the gum tissue. It often presents as a painful, swollen bump on the gums and may be accompanied by fever, facial swelling, or a foul taste in your mouth. Abscesses don’t resolve on their own and can become dangerous if the infection spreads. If you suspect an abscess, call us right away.
Broken or loose dental work. If a bridge, denture, or other restoration breaks or comes loose, it can affect your bite, irritate your soft tissue, or leave underlying teeth unprotected. We can often repair or reattach dental work the same day.
Soft tissue injuries. Cuts, tears, or puncture wounds to the lips, cheeks, tongue, or gums from an accident or fall. If bleeding is heavy or won’t stop, head to our office or an emergency room.

What to Do Before You Get to Our Office

Knowing what to do in the first few minutes of a dental emergency can make a real difference in the outcome.

For a toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm salt water. Gently floss around the tooth to make sure nothing is trapped between the teeth and causing the pain. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever (ibuprofen works well for dental pain). Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek if there’s swelling. Do not place aspirin directly on your gums, as this can burn the tissue.

For a knocked-out tooth: Pick up the tooth by the crown only. Rinse it gently with water if it’s dirty, but don’t scrub it or remove any tissue attached to the root. If possible, gently push the tooth back into the socket and hold it in place by biting on a clean cloth. If you can’t reinsert it, place the tooth in a cup of milk or hold it between your cheek and gums. Get to our office as quickly as possible. Every minute counts.

For a chipped or broken tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water. If there’s bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a piece of gauze. Save any large fragments of the tooth and bring them with you. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth.

For a lost crown or filling: If you still have the crown, try placing it back on the tooth temporarily using dental cement, denture adhesive, or a small amount of toothpaste. Don’t use superglue. Avoid chewing on that side and call us to schedule a repair.

For an abscess: Rinse your mouth with mild salt water several times to help draw the infection toward the surface and ease discomfort. Don’t try to pop or drain the abscess yourself. Call us immediately, as the infection can spread if left untreated.

Why South Bay Patients Come to K&E for Dental Emergencies

Same-day appointments. We build time into our daily schedule for emergency patients. When you call, we don’t put you on a two-week waiting list. We get you in as quickly as possib
le, often the same day.

Walk-ins welcome. If you’re in pain and didn’t have time to call ahead, just come in. Our team will triage your situation and get you seen.

The full picture, not just a quick fix. We won’t just address the immediate pain and send you home. We’ll diagnose the underlying cause, explain your options, and make sure you understand the next steps so the problem doesn’t come back or get worse.

Referrals when needed, coordination always. If your emergency requires specialist care, such as an oral surgeon for a complex extraction or an endodontist for a difficult root canal, we coordinate with our referral network so you’re seen quickly and your records follow you seamlessly.

Open Saturdays. Dental emergencies don’t only happen Monday through Friday. We’re open Saturdays from 8:00am to 3:00pm for patients who need us on the weekend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to commonly asked questions about Dental Emergencies

What counts as a dental emergency?

Any situation involving severe pain, uncontrolled bleeding, a knocked-out or broken tooth, signs of infection (swelling, fever, abscess), or trauma to the mouth should be treated as an emergency. When in doubt, call us. We’d rather evaluate something that turns out to be minor than have you wait on something that needed immediate care.

What should I do if my child knocks out a baby tooth?

Don’t try to replant a baby tooth, as this can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. Control the bleeding with gentle pressure, apply a cold compress for swelling, and call us to schedule an evaluation. If it’s a permanent tooth that was knocked out, follow the steps above and get to our office immediately.

Can I go to the emergency room for a dental emergency?

You can, but in most cases a dental office is a better choice. Emergency rooms can manage pain and prescribe antibiotics, but they typically don’t have the equipment or specialists to perform dental procedures like re-implanting a tooth, starting a root canal, or repairing a fracture. If you have facial trauma, uncontrollable bleeding, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, go to the ER first.

How can I prevent dental emergencies?

Wear a custom mouthguard during sports and physical activities. If you grind your teeth, wear a nightguard to prevent cracks and fractures. Avoid chewing on ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, and other hard objects. Keep up with regular dental exams so potential problems are caught early, before they become emergencies.

Do you charge extra for emergency appointments?

We do not charge an additional fee for emergency scheduling. Standard exam and treatment fees apply. Our team will verify your insurance and discuss costs before any treatment begins.

What if I have a dental emergency after hours?

If you experience a dental emergency outside of our office hours, call our main number at (310) 371-6513 for guidance. For severe facial trauma, uncontrollable bleeding, or difficulty breathing, go to your nearest emergency room immediately.