A dental emergency rarely waits for a convenient time. A cracked molar at dinner, a swollen jaw that wakes you up, or a tooth knocked loose at a weekend game needs a dentist who can see you quickly and fix the cause. At Kidder Owens Dental on Perkins Road, our team prioritizes same-day emergency appointments for patients across Baton Rouge. Call (225) 761-8585 as soon as the problem starts, and we will tell you what to do while we fit you in.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
Any problem that causes severe pain, ongoing bleeding, swelling, or a tooth that has been broken or knocked out should be treated as urgent. Waiting usually makes these problems harder and more expensive to fix. A chipped edge that doesn’t hurt, a small piece of lost filling, or mild sensitivity can usually wait for the next regular appointment, but it is still worth calling so we can decide together.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Swelling in the face or jaw with fever, or swelling that makes it hard to swallow or breathe | Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 first. A spreading infection can become dangerous. |
| Severe toothache, throbbing pain, or a pimple-like bump on the gums | Call us the same day. These are common signs of an infected tooth. |
| Tooth knocked out | Call right away. Treatment within the first hour gives the best chance of saving the tooth. |
| Cracked or broken tooth, lost crown, broken denture | Call the same day. Keep any pieces and avoid chewing on that side. |
| Bleeding after an injury that won’t stop with firm pressure | Apply pressure with clean gauze and call. Head to the ER if bleeding is heavy or there was a hard blow to the head. |
| Mild sensitivity or a small chip with no pain | Call to book a visit. This can usually wait a few days. |
Emergency Dental Care We Provide in Baton Rouge
Because Kidder Owens Dental is a full-service general, restorative, and advanced dental practice, most emergencies can be diagnosed and treated in our office without a referral to another provider. Depending on what we find, emergency treatment may include:
- Root canal therapy to remove infection and save a tooth that is causing severe pain. Learn more about endodontics (root canals).
- Tooth extraction when a tooth is too damaged or infected to save. See our tooth extractions page.
- Crowns to protect a cracked or broken tooth, or to replace a crown that came off. Read about ceramic crowns.
- Bonding to repair chipped front teeth. See bonding and contouring.
- Wisdom tooth care when an erupting or impacted wisdom tooth becomes painful or infected. Visit wisdom teeth removal.
- Tooth replacement planning if a tooth cannot be saved, including dental implants and bridges, once the emergency is under control.
What Happens at Your Emergency Visit
When you call, tell our team what happened, when the pain started, and whether you have swelling or a fever. We use that information to decide how urgently you need to be seen and to reserve the right amount of chair time.
At the visit, the dentist examines the area and takes digital X-rays to see what is happening below the gumline. The first goal is to stop the pain and control any infection. In many cases, we can complete the definitive treatment the same day. If a tooth needs a longer procedure, such as a final crown, we will stabilize it first and schedule the rest of the work at a time that suits you.
Before any treatment begins, we explain what we found, what your options are, and what each option involves, so you can make the decision with all the facts in front of you.
Nervous About Emergency Treatment? Sedation Is Available
Pain and fear often go together, and many people put off calling a dentist until a problem becomes an emergency because they are anxious about treatment. Kidder Owens Dental offers sedation dentistry, and Dr. Micah Metrailer provides care for patients with severe anxiety, special healthcare needs, or advanced treatment plans. Ask about IV sedation dentistry when you call.
First Aid Until You Reach Our Office
Knocked-Out Tooth
Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or water without scrubbing. If you can, gently place it back in the socket and bite on clean gauze to hold it. If that isn’t possible, keep it in a cup of milk or inside your cheek and call us immediately.
Toothache or Swelling
Rinse with warm salt water and use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek, 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off. Do not put aspirin directly on the gums, because it can burn the tissue. Over-the-counter pain relievers taken as directed on the label can help until you are seen.
Broken Tooth or Lost Crown
Save any pieces, rinse your mouth, and cover sharp edges with sugar-free gum or dental wax. If a crown came off in one piece, bring it with you. Don’t glue it back with household adhesives.
Broken Denture
Keep all the pieces and do not try to repair the denture with glue, which can distort the fit. Bring it with you so we can evaluate whether a repair or a new denture makes more sense.
Serving Baton Rouge and Nearby Communities
Our office is at 9420 Perkins Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70810. Patients come to us from across Baton Rouge as well as Prairieville, Denham Springs, Gonzales, Central, and Zachary. If you need directions, call us and we will help you find the quickest route. For full contact details, visit our contact page.
Paying for Emergency Dental Care
We accept most major dental insurance plans and will help you understand what your plan covers. If you don’t have insurance, ask about our in-house membership plans and financing through Cherry, which offers quick applications and interest-free options for qualified patients. See our patient information page for details on your first visit, forms, and payment options.
Emergency Dentist FAQs
Can I get a same-day emergency appointment?
Our team prioritizes same-day emergency appointments. Call as early as you can so we can reserve time for you.
What should I do if I have a dental emergency after office hours?
Our office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Friday, 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Outside those hours, call (225) 761-8585 and leave a message so our team can reach you as soon as possible. If you have facial swelling with fever, trouble breathing or swallowing, or a serious injury, go to the nearest emergency room.
Should I go to the ER or the dentist for a toothache?
Most toothaches need a dentist, because emergency rooms can manage pain and infection but usually cannot fix the tooth. Go to the ER first if you have swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, a high fever, or an injury to the jaw or head.
Do I need to be an existing patient?
No. New patients with a dental emergency are welcome to call. Bring your insurance card and photo ID to your visit.
Call Kidder Owens Dental for Urgent Dental Care
If you are in pain, don’t wait for it to get worse. Call (225) 761-8585 for urgent care, or request an appointment online for problems that can wait a day or two.