How can we help you?
Dr. Ochoco believes that informed patients make decisions that support better oral health. These frequently asked questions reflect the concerns he hears most often: about treatment options, what to expect, and how he approaches clinical decisions. If you don't find what you're looking for here, call Schuster and Ochoco Dental at (310) 453-5300. A conversation is always the best place to start.
Emergency Dental Care
A knocked-out or broken tooth is one of the few dental situations where the minutes before you reach the office genuinely affect the outcome.
Completely Knocked-Out Tooth
- Call our office immediately. The sooner we evaluate the tooth, the better the chances of saving it
- Hold the tooth by the crown only. Do not touch the root.
- Rinse the tooth with water. Don’t scrub.
- Try gently reinserting the tooth in the socket, but don’t force it. Bite down gently on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
- If you can’t reinsert it, place the tooth in a small container of milk or between your cheek and gum to keep it moist.
Broken or Chipped Tooth
- Rinse your mouth with warm water
- Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth if there's any bleeding
- Save any pieces of the tooth
- Avoid chewing on that side until we see you
For Pain or Swelling in Either Situation
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek in 10-minute intervals
- Take over-the-counter pain relief if needed, following package instructions
- Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gum or tooth
Call (310) 453-5300 as soon as possible. Schuster and Ochoco Dental serves patients from Brentwood, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and the surrounding Westside communities. After hours, voicemail instructions will connect you with a team member as quickly as possible.