A dental emergency does not wait for a convenient time. Whether a tooth gets knocked out during a weekend game, a crown breaks before an important meeting, or a toothache turns unbearable overnight, the pain and uncertainty can feel overwhelming. Knowing what to do and where to turn can make those moments easier.
Dr. Jason Steinhubel opened All Smiles Dentistry in 2004, and our team has cared for patients across Lake Stevens and Snohomish County for more than two decades. Our emergency team is committed to getting you out of pain and back to your life as quickly as possible. Call us at (425) 335-1111 and we will do our best to see you the same day, with the same technology and personalized care you would receive at any appointment, across our full range of dental services.
Not every dental concern is an emergency, but some need prompt attention. Knowing the difference helps you act quickly when it matters. Some problems can wait for a regular appointment, while others need prompt care to save a tooth, keep an infection from spreading, or get serious pain under control. As a general rule, if you have severe pain, bleeding that will not stop, swelling in your jaw or face, or a knocked-out tooth, call us right away. These are some of the most common dental emergencies we see:
When you call, we can tell you what to do until you are seen and prepare for your visit.
Most dental problems are best handled by a dentist, but a few situations need a hospital. According to Mayo Clinic, a fever with swelling in your face when you cannot reach your dentist, or trouble breathing or swallowing, are reasons to go to an emergency room.
| Your situation | What it may mean | Your next step |
|---|---|---|
| Severe toothache, a broken tooth, or a knocked-out permanent tooth | A tooth may need prompt treatment | Call (425) 335-1111 right away and we will tell you what to do |
| A swollen face or jaw with a fever, and you cannot reach a dentist | An infection may be spreading | Go to an emergency room |
| Trouble breathing or swallowing | An infection may have spread deeper | Go to an emergency room right away |
| Bleeding that will not stop, a suspected broken jaw, or an injury when our office is closed | You may need hospital care | Go to the nearest emergency room |
| A lost crown or filling with little or no pain | The tooth is exposed but may not be urgent | Call us and we will advise you on timing |
If you ever feel your life is in danger, call 911.
These steps are for a permanent tooth. Stay calm, move quickly, and call us on the way.
For more on dental injuries, see our pages on traumatic dental injuries and emergency pediatric care.
When you call All Smiles Dentistry with a dental emergency, our goal is to see you the same day whenever possible. Dr. Jason’s background in Endodontics means we handle many of the most painful dental emergencies, including severe infections and root canal cases, right here in our Lake Stevens office, without a referral.
We use 3D cone beam imaging, digital x-rays, and intraoral cameras to get a complete and accurate picture of what is happening in your mouth the moment you arrive. That helps us find the source of the problem and move quickly into treatment. Microscope dentistry also lets Dr. Jason work with a level of precision that is hard to match with the naked eye.
Many people who have a dental emergency are also anxious about dental visits, and we take that seriously. Patient comfort comes first, and we offer nitrous oxide for those who need help staying calm during urgent treatment. You should not have to endure a painful, stressful visit on top of an already stressful day.
Knowing what to expect can help you feel calmer when you walk in.
How soon we can see you depends on the day, so call as early as you can.
This is one of the most common reasons people call us, and it is not always an emergency.
Learn more about fillings and crowns and bridges.
Depending on your emergency, treatment may include one or more of our services. Root canal treatment is one of the most common emergency treatments, and Dr. Jason’s background in Endodontics makes him well-suited to perform it with speed and precision. Contrary to what many patients fear, a root canal relieves pain rather than causing it, and recovery is often less uncomfortable than dealing with a filling. For teeth that cannot be saved, we perform extractions with care and talk through your replacement options, including dental implants, when the time is right. Crowns and bridges can protect and rebuild a broken, damaged, or decayed tooth.
For an infected tooth, MedlinePlus explains that the goals of treatment are to cure the infection, save the tooth, and prevent complications, and that prompt treatment cures the infection in most cases.
An emergency is stressful enough without worrying about the bill.
When a dental emergency strikes, you deserve a team that responds with urgency and genuine concern for your well-being. Dr. Jason Steinhubel and the All Smiles Dentistry team have been caring for Lake Stevens families for more than 20 years, with technology like 3D cone beam imaging and microscope dentistry and a patient-first approach that sets us apart from corporate dental chains. Meet our team. We are contracted with Delta Dental, Regents, and Primera, and we can help you look into what your other plan may cover. If you do not have insurance, financing is available through Cherry and CareCredit. See our insurance and dental financing pages.
Do not wait out the pain or hope it goes away on its own. For fast, compassionate care and relief, call (425) 335-1111 or contact our office.
Not always. If there is little or no pain, it may not be urgent, but the exposed tooth can become sensitive or get damaged, so call us and we will advise you on timing. Keep the crown or filling if you still have it, and avoid chewing on that side. If you have severe pain or swelling, tell us when you call. Learn more about fillings and crowns and bridges.
For most tooth pain, a broken tooth, or a knocked-out tooth, call a dentist first, and you can reach us at (425) 335-1111. Go to an emergency room if you have a fever and facial swelling and cannot reach your dentist, if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, if bleeding will not stop, or if you may have a broken jaw or an injury when our office is closed. If your life feels in danger, call 911.
First find out whether it is a baby tooth or a permanent tooth. A permanent tooth should be rinsed gently with water, put back in the socket if you can, or kept in milk, and your child should see a dentist as soon as possible. A baby tooth that is knocked out is not put back in, so call us for advice. Our page on emergency pediatric care has more.
Do not place aspirin directly on your tooth or gums, because it can irritate the tissue. According to MedlinePlus, warm saltwater rinses may help ease the pain. Ask your dentist or pharmacist which pain medicine is safe for you, and call us so we can find the cause of the pain.
We are contracted with Delta Dental, Regents, and Primera, and we can help you look into what your other plan may cover. If you do not have insurance, financing is available through Cherry and CareCredit. We go over costs with you before treatment. See our insurance and dental financing pages.
We numb the area before treatment, and if you are nervous you can ask about nitrous oxide. A root canal is meant to relieve the pain of an infected tooth, not cause it. Tell us how you feel at any time, and we will explain each step before we begin.
Our team always listens to your concerns and gets to know you before customizing your experience to your needs. We want to ensure your comfort while bringing you the best treatments modern family dentistry has to offer.
Feel relaxed at your Lake Stevens dentist as our team takes great care of you. If you’re feeling nervous, our nitrous oxide or conscious sedation options can put you at ease. We’re in good hands here. Feel relaxed at your Lake Stevens dentist
Each time you visit, expect the same level of high-quality care with modern technology and your own dedicated provider. Discover more effective and gentle dentistry with digital imaging, lasers, same-day crowns, and more.
Dr. Jason Steinhubel opened All Smiles Dentistry in Lake Stevens in 2004 to give the community he loves a better dental experience. A member of the American Dental Association, he brings a background in forensics, dental assisting, and dental lab work to a technology-forward, family-focused practice built on prevention, education, and comprehensive care under one roof.
View Dr. Steinhubel's full profile