Emergency Dental Care in South Lake Tahoe
Same-day relief for tooth pain, dental injuries, and urgent oral health needs. Medi-Cal accepted.
When You Need Help Fast, We’re Here
Dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time. Whether it’s a sudden toothache, a cracked tooth, or a sports injury, our team at The Smile Shop in South Lake Tahoe offers same day emergency dental care to get you out of pain and back to life. We treat a wide range of dental emergencies and traumatic injuries and we prioritize urgent cases whenever possible. Just call us and we’ll walk you through next steps, including whether you should come in immediately or take specific care at home until we can see you.
Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available
We leave space in our schedule daily for emergency cases, especially for urgent issues like:
- Severe tooth pain or swelling
- Knocked-out or dislodged tooth
- Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth
- Infections or abscesses
- Broken restorations (crowns, fillings, bridges)
- Soft tissue injuries (lips, gums, tongue)
- Tooth pain following recent dental work
- Dental trauma from accidents or sports
If you’re not sure whether it’s a true emergency — call us. We’re happy to talk you through it.
Traumatic Dental Injuries
South Lake Tahoe’s active lifestyle comes with risk — from skiing accidents to biking or hiking injuries. If you’ve experienced a dental injury due to trauma (like a fall, impact, or sports-related event), we’ll assess the situation, stabilize the area, and begin treatment right away.
Depending on the severity, treatment may involve:
- Tooth repair with bonding or crowns
- Root canal therapy if the pulp is exposed
- Tooth splinting to stabilize a loose or displaced tooth
- Tooth extractions in cases of severe fractures
- Long-term planning for dental implants if the tooth cannot be saved
We’ll also monitor healing closely and make sure you’re comfortable every step of the way.
How to Handle a Dental Emergency Before Your Visit
Tooth knocked out:
- Keep the tooth moist, place it back in the socket or in milk
- Do not touch the root
- Come to our office immediately
Toothache or swelling:
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Use a cold compress for swelling
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed
- Avoid heat and chewing on the affected side
Cracked or broken tooth:
- Rinse gently with warm water
- Save any pieces if possible
- Avoid biting down on the area
Call us at (530) 600-2835 and we’ll let you know what to do next.
Insurance, Medi-Cal & Emergency Coverage
We accept most PPO insurance plans and are proud to serve patients with Medi-Cal. Emergency services like exams, extractions, or palliative treatment are often covered. If you’re uninsured or need support, ask us about financing options, we’re here to help.
FAQs
What counts as a dental emergency?
Any sudden pain, infection, trauma, or damage to teeth or gums. If it is disrupting your normal activities, call us right away.
Can I get a same-day appointment for tooth pain?
Yes. We reserve time every day for emergency patients and will do everything we can to see you the same day.
What should I do if I knock out a tooth?
Keep the tooth moist, avoid touching the root, and get to our office as soon as possible. Time is critical to saving the tooth.
Will insurance or Medi-Cal cover my emergency visit?
Most plans cover emergency dental care. Medi-Cal covers certain urgent procedures, and we will confirm your benefits before treatment begins.
Do I need to be an existing patient?
No. We welcome new patients and visitors to the area for emergency care.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Proudly Serving South Lake Tahoe & Beyond
As a locally rooted dental practice, we’re proud to care for the people who make Tahoe the vibrant, outdoor-loving, tight-knit community it is. Whether you live in South Lake Tahoe or commute from nearby areas like Stateline, Meyers, Tahoma, Zephyr Cove, or Gardnerville, our team is here to welcome you with open arms — and clear answers.
.avif)