Guide
Emergency dentist: what to do about a toothache
Short answer
Emergency dentist: if you have a toothache, a broken tooth or a knocked-out tooth, the American Dental Association (ADA) says to see your dentist or go to an emergency room as soon as possible. Meanwhile, rinse with warm water. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or the gum.
How Ya Sé Cuánto works2027 Even after 1 July that year, Medi-Cal will keep covering dental emergencies for adults who lose the rest of their dental coverage.
The numbers behind this guide
Our September 2026 report on 60 Santa Ana locations, with the method, the limits and how to cite it.
Read the reportWhat we know
Each fact with its date and its source.
Checked September 29, 2026
Toothache: rinse your mouth with warm water and gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between your teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or the gum.
Checked September 29, 2026
Knocked-out tooth: keep it moist. If you can, put it back in the socket without touching the root. If not, hold it between your cheek and gum or in milk, and get to your dentist right away.
Checked September 29, 2026
Cracked tooth: rinse right away with warm water and put cold compresses on your face to keep the swelling down.
Checked September 29, 2026
In a dental emergency, the ADA says it is important to see your dentist or go to an emergency room as soon as possible.
Checked September 25, 2026
Medi-Cal covers emergency care for dental pain. DHCS gives as examples of an emergency bleeding that does not stop, painful swelling, tooth or jaw pain, an infection, and a broken or knocked-out tooth.
California DHCS, Medi-Cal DentalCalifornia DHCS, Medi-Cal Dental Benefit Changes
What we do not know yet
We would rather say so than fill the gap with a made-up number.
- Which Santa Ana practices see emergencies the same day and what they charge for the visit. We will ask each practice.
- What an emergency visit costs in cash. We have no confirmed prices yet.
What to ask before you sit in the chair
Ask by phone or at the front desk, before they start.
- Can you see me today?
- What does the emergency visit cost, with X-rays? Ask before you go.
- If I need treatment, will you give me the price in writing before you start?
- Do you accept Medi-Cal for emergencies?
- Can someone see me in Spanish?
If you have no dentist or cannot pay
Two options with an official source. Call first to confirm they handle dental emergencies.
Questions people ask
What should I do if my tooth hurts?
If your tooth hurts, the ADA says to rinse with warm water, gently floss out any food caught between your teeth, and not to put aspirin on the tooth or gum. Then see your dentist or go to an emergency room as soon as possible.
What should I do if a tooth gets knocked out?
If a tooth gets knocked out, the ADA says to keep it moist and, if you can, put it back in the socket without touching the root. If you cannot, hold it between your cheek and gum or in milk, and get to your dentist right away.
Does Medi-Cal cover an emergency dentist?
Medi-Cal covers an emergency dentist, according to California’s DHCS, and will keep covering it after 1 July 2027, including for adults who lose the rest of their dental coverage. To find out what is covered for you, call Medi-Cal Dental at (800) 322-6384.
How much is an emergency dentist without insurance?
How much an emergency dentist costs without insurance in Santa Ana we do not know yet: no practice has confirmed that price to us. Ask by phone what the visit with X-rays costs before you go, and get the price of any treatment in writing before you agree to it.
Sources
- Ya Sé Cuánto, Dentist prices in Santa Ana: who publishes them (2026), published September 25, 2026.
- ADA MouthHealthy, Dental Emergencies, checked September 25, 2026.
- California DHCS, Medi-Cal Dental, checked September 25, 2026.
- California DHCS, Medi-Cal Dental Benefit Changes, checked September 25, 2026.
- HRSA, What is a Health Center?, checked September 25, 2026.
- HRSA, Find a Health Center, checked September 25, 2026.
Shall we tell you when prices are confirmed?
We will let you know when we publish the first one. We only ask for a phone number or email, and it is free.