Emergency Dentist in Berthoud, CO

Emergency dentist in Berthoud, CO

We're here for you when you need us most

Dental pain doesn't wait for a convenient time. Call us and we'll do everything we can to get you seen the same day.

Don't wait it out

What counts as a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is anything that causes significant pain, swelling, bleeding, or damage that can't reasonably wait for a scheduled appointment. That includes severe toothaches, broken or knocked-out teeth, lost fillings or crowns, abscesses, and soft tissue injuries. At Berthoud Family Dentistry, we take a straightforward approach to emergency care: if you're in pain and you need to be seen, call us. We'll assess your situation over the phone and do everything we can to get you in the same day. Dr. Sean's training in oral surgery and endodontics means that most emergency cases, including ones that other general dentists may refer out, can be handled right here in our office. You won't be sent somewhere else in the middle of a crisis if we can help it.

Why it matters

The benefits of prompt emergency dental care

Waiting out a dental emergency rarely makes it better and almost always makes it worse. Getting in quickly means less pain, less damage, and a significantly better chance of saving a tooth that might otherwise be lost.

Stop the pain faster

Dental pain can be genuinely debilitating, and it tends to escalate the longer it goes untreated. Getting seen the same day means getting relief faster, whether that's through treatment, medication, or both.

Prevent the problem from spreading

Infections don't stay contained. A dental abscess left untreated can spread to surrounding tissue, the jawbone, and in serious cases, beyond. Prompt care stops the problem at the source before it has the chance to become something more serious.

Save your tooth

Many teeth that seem beyond saving can actually be treated and preserved when care is received quickly. The longer a broken, infected, or knocked-out tooth goes without treatment, the narrower the window becomes. Coming in the same day gives us the best chance of keeping your tooth intact.

Common dental emergenices

Toothaches and dental pain

A persistent or severe toothache is almost always a signal that something needs attention, whether that's decay that's reached the nerve, a crack, an abscess, or something else entirely. We'll examine the tooth, take X-rays, and get to the bottom of what's causing your pain as quickly as possible. Depending on what we find, treatment might involve a filling, a root canal, an extraction, or something else entirely, but you'll always know what we're recommending and why before anything is done. Don't try to wait out a toothache. It won't get better on its own.

Broken or chipped teeth

A broken or chipped tooth can range from a minor cosmetic inconvenience to a genuine dental emergency depending on how much of the tooth is affected and whether the nerve is involved. If you've broken a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water, save any pieces if you can, and call us right away. We'll evaluate the extent of the damage and determine the best way to restore the tooth, whether that's bonding, a crown, or in more severe cases, an extraction. The sooner you come in, the more options we typically have.

Lost fillings and crowns

Losing a filling or a crown leaves the underlying tooth exposed and vulnerable to further damage, sensitivity, and decay. It's not always painful right away, but it's always something that needs to be addressed quickly. If you've lost a crown, try to keep it safe and bring it with you to your appointment. In some cases we may be able to recement it. If it can't be saved, we'll get you into a new restoration as efficiently as possible so the tooth stays protected.

Dental abscesses and infections

A dental abscess is a pocket of infection that forms at the root of a tooth or in the surrounding gum tissue, and it's one of the more serious dental emergencies we see. Symptoms include severe, throbbing pain, swelling in the face or jaw, fever, and a bad taste in the mouth. If you're experiencing any of these signs, call us immediately. An untreated abscess can spread quickly and in rare cases can become life-threatening. We'll assess the infection, provide immediate relief, and put together a treatment plan to resolve the underlying cause, whether that's a root canal, an extraction, or another approach.

Knocked-out teeth

A knocked-out tooth is one of the few true dental emergencies where every minute counts. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown, not the root, rinse it gently with water without scrubbing, and try to place it back in the socket if possible. If you can't, keep it moist by placing it in a glass of milk or holding it between your cheek and gum. Call us immediately and get to our office as fast as you can. The best chance of saving the tooth exists within the first thirty to sixty minutes after the injury. For baby teeth, do not attempt to reinsert them. Call us and we'll advise you on next steps.

Soft tissue injuries

Injuries to the lips, cheeks, tongue, or gums that involve significant bleeding or lacerations should be treated as dental emergencies. Rinse the area gently with warm water and apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth to control bleeding. If bleeding doesn't slow within fifteen minutes or the injury is severe, go to an emergency room. For injuries that are painful but manageable, call us and we'll get you in to assess whether any treatment is needed and make sure nothing has been missed.

What to do in a dental emergency

1

Call us right away

The first thing to do in any dental emergency is call our office at (970) 532-4477. Our team will ask you a few quick questions about what's going on, assess the urgency of your situation, and do everything possible to get you in the same day. If you're calling outside of office hours, please leave a voicemail and we'll get back to you as soon as we're open. For life-threatening emergencies, always call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

2

Follow our team's guidance

Once you've reached us, our team will walk you through exactly what to do while you wait to come in. Depending on your situation, that might mean managing swelling with a cold compress, controlling bleeding with gentle pressure, or keeping a knocked-out tooth moist until you arrive. We'll make sure you know what to do and what to avoid so nothing gets worse in the meantime.

3

Come in and let us take it from here

When you arrive, we'll get you comfortable, take any necessary X-rays or imaging, assess the full extent of what's going on, and get to work. Some emergencies are fully resolved in a single visit. Others require a follow-up appointment to complete the treatment once the immediate situation is stabilized. Either way, you'll leave knowing exactly what was done, what comes next, and what to watch for in the days ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still Have Questions?

We're happy to talk through your options before you commit to anything. Give us a call and we'll point you in the right direction.

If you have a dental emergency outside of our regular office hours, please call our main number at (970) 532-4477 and leave a voicemail. We'll get back to you as soon as we're open. For severe swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or any situation that feels life-threatening, do not wait. Go to your nearest emergency room immediately.

We make every effort to see emergency patients the same day they call. We can't guarantee same-day availability in every circumstance, but getting patients out of pain as quickly as possible is always a priority. The sooner you call, the better your chances of being seen that day.

Most dental insurance plans include some coverage for emergency exams and urgent treatment, though the specifics vary by plan. We're in-network with Delta Dental Premier and we'll run your benefits through virtually any other PPO plan you carry. Our team will do their best to give you a clear picture of what's covered before treatment begins. If you don't have insurance, ask us about our in-house membership plan.

50+ 5-star reviews

Don't just take our word for it

Here's what patients are saying about their experience at Berthoud Family Dentistry.

“I've been a patient here for 10 years. I didn't know what proper dental care was until I came here. I used to have bleeding gums and other problems but I now have zero problems. Everyone is friendly, I actually enjoy going to the dentist.”

Tom Caggiano

“Dr. Sean Adams is the best! I needed a wisdom tooth pulled out that was broken and in tons of pain. He got me in first thing and pulled it out. His dental assistant Jackie is the best! The front office lady Sarah is wonderful!”

Hunter Maldonado

“Great service, the staff are all very nice and they remember you. I feel like my hygienist and dentist actually care about me and the health of gums and teeth.”

Justin Gee

“I had all four wisdom teeth removed here and the experience was great. The dentist and staff were kind, professional, and made me feel comfortable throughout the entire process. Everything went smoothly and recovery has been going well. Highly recommend this office!”

Eddie Garate

“Dr. Adams did a great job easing any anxiety I had and did a great job answering my questions! would 10/10 reccommend”

Kendall Riley

Ready to find your new dental home?

Whether you're new to Berthoud or just ready for a practice that finally feels right, we'd love to meet you.