Emergency Dental Care in Milwaukie, OR

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

Not every dental problem requires an immediate visit, but several do. Contact us right away if you’re experiencing:

• Severe or persistent toothache: Ongoing pain often signals decay reaching the nerve or an infection that won’t resolve on its own.
• A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth: Even a small fracture can expose the inner layers of the tooth to bacteria.
• A knocked-out tooth: This is the most time-sensitive dental emergency. The sooner you’re seen, the better the odds of saving the tooth.
• A lost filling or crown: The exposed tooth underneath is vulnerable to damage and sensitivity.
• Swelling in the gums, jaw, or face: Swelling paired with pain or fever can indicate an abscess that needs prompt treatment.
• Bleeding that won’t stop: After an injury to the mouth.
• A broken denture or damaged dental appliance: That makes eating or speaking difficult.

If you’ve had a serious facial injury, suspect a broken jaw, or have swelling that’s making it hard to breathe or swallow, go to the emergency room first.

What to Do Before You Reach Our Office

A few simple steps can protect your tooth while you’re on your way in:

• Knocked-out tooth: Pick it up by the crown, not the root. Rinse gently with water — don’t scrub. If you can, place it back in the socket. If not, keep it in milk or a container of your own saliva and bring it with you.
• Broken tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to limit swelling. Save any pieces you can find.
• Toothache: Rinse with warm salt water and floss gently to remove anything lodged between teeth. Never place aspirin directly against the gum — it can burn the tissue.
• Lost crown or filling: Keep the crown and bring it in. Over-the-counter dental cement can hold it temporarily, but it isn’t a long-term fix.

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Once you’re in the chair, we’ll take images as needed, identify the source of the problem, and get you out of pain. Depending on what we find, treatment may involve a filling, a crown, root canal therapy, or another restorative approach.

If a tooth can’t be saved, we’ll discuss replacement options, including dental implant restorations.

We know many people put off dental visits because of anxiety — and an emergency is the worst possible time for that hesitation. Our office is built around making patients comfortable.

We take the time to explain what we see, walk you through your treatment options, and answer every question before we begin. No pressure, no jargon, no surprises.

Call Sue Walker Dentistry Today

Dental problems don’t improve on their own, and waiting usually makes treatment more involved and more expensive. If something doesn’t feel right, reach out.

Serving Milwaukie, Happy Valley, Sellwood, Oregon City, and the greater Portland area.