A stray elbow in a pickup basketball game, a fall on a wet pool deck, or a toothache that sneaks up during a long workday can all send you looking for a dentist fast. Dental emergencies always feel sudden, but a little planning makes them far easier to handle.
Whether you live near St. Johns Town Center or in Baymeadows, I-95 north leads into San Marco by exit 350A to Philips Highway and Atlantic Boulevard or exit 350B toward San Marco Boulevard, and JAX Dental Studio sits on Hendricks Avenue in the southern part of San Marco. Urgent visits are part of every Monday-through-Thursday schedule we keep, which is a big part of what being a dentist near Southside means to us.
We keep time open on each of our working days, Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM, for patients who cannot wait. Calling early in the day and describing what happened gives us the best chance to slot you in, and online booking takes requests around the clock.
Toothaches that keep getting worse, teeth that were knocked out, loosened, chipped, or cracked, crowns and fillings that came off, and gums that are swollen around a single tooth are the core of what we treat on a same-day basis. Bring any pieces you saved.
On the field or at home, a hard blow to the face, bleeding that will not stop, or any trouble breathing or swallowing calls for 911 or the nearest emergency room before anything else. Those needs go beyond a dental office, and the tooth can be checked once you are safe.
Gather any pieces you can find and keep them in a small bag or container. Hold a cold pack on the cheek for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to limit swelling, and use over-the-counter pain relievers as directed, never resting aspirin directly on the gum. For cuts to the lips or gums, rinse gently and press a clean cloth on the spot.
We are in network with BlueCross BlueShield, Humana, Cigna, Aetna, and Florida Combined Life, and we offer CareCredit, Cherry, and an in-house membership plan for patients without insurance.
For a knocked-out adult tooth, pick it up by the crown, not the root, rinse off dirt briefly with water, and try to ease it back into the socket. If it does not go back in, keep it moist in milk or a tooth preservation product and get to a dentist within about 30 minutes. A tooth that is loose or pushed out of line also needs a same-day call, so keep the player from biting on it until we take a look.
The next step is preventing a repeat. The American Dental Association notes that, in a review of the research, mouthguard users were 82% to 93% less likely to suffer injuries to the teeth and face. Here is what a custom guard made at our office offers.
Most athletes replace a custom guard every one to two seasons, and we can check yours at routine visits. The ADA also points to a study in which guards made by dentists were more comfortable to wear than self-fitted ones, and a comfortable guard is one players keep in. Our custom sports mouthguards are made for players of all ages, from youth leagues to adult rec teams, and plenty of tournaments fall on weekends, when our office is closed, so it helps to know the plan ahead of time.
When an injury damages a front tooth, looks matter as much as function. Dr. Poblenz is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and our cosmetic dentistry near Southside covers repairs that help a chipped smile look natural again. If a tooth cannot be saved, he can talk with you about dental implants and other replacements.
A small chip with no pain can often wait for a call to us Monday morning, as long as the player is comfortable. Bring the mouthguard that was worn during the injury, too, so we can see whether it needs replacing.
Southside players and parents often call with questions after a tooth injury. These answers cover timing, safety, and what to expect at the exam.
Start with first aid at home. Save any tooth or piece of tooth, use a cold compress, and take over-the-counter pain relievers as the label directs. A knocked-out adult tooth should be replanted or kept in milk and seen right away at an emergency room. Request a time through online booking and call us when we reopen Monday at 8 AM.
It is worth asking your doctor, especially if the injury involved dirt, turf, or a deep cut. Tetanus shots need boosters every several years, and your doctor can tell you whether yours is current. Mention the injury, and tell us if a cut inside the mouth looks deep or is not healing.
A team member asks about the pain, when it started, and what caused it. Dr. Poblenz then reviews digital X-rays of the tooth, the surrounding bone, and the soft tissue, and explains what he found and what your options are. Treatment moves forward only after you have heard the plan and agreed to it.
Yes, still come in. The odds of saving a tooth drop after about an hour out of the mouth, but a dentist can check the tooth, the socket, and the neighboring teeth, and discuss replacement options if it cannot go back. Bring the tooth in milk. A knocked-out baby tooth is never put back in.
That depends on the injury and is decided after an exam. A player with a loose, displaced, or broken tooth should sit out until a dentist clears them, and anyone with a head blow or concussion symptoms needs a medical check first. Once cleared, wearing a properly fitted mouthguard protects the repaired tooth.
Southside is a big, busy part of Jacksonville, and active families here deserve a calm, practical dental team. Dr. Charles Poblenz volunteers his time with Donated Dental Services away from the office, treating Jacksonville residents at no cost when they cannot afford care. He walks you through each repair option and lets you choose what fits your plans for the season.
Our team can check your benefits for an emergency repair or a new mouthguard before any work begins. Whether you need a same-day repair after a hit or a custom guard before the season starts, schedule a visit with our office.
