Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency? A toothache is a common dental problem that ranges in severity. It becomes a dental emergency if your toothache is causing pain that is throbbing, intense, or lasting. Contact us as soon as you start feeling pain – the urgency of the situation will depend on what is causing the toothache in South Hadley.
How You Should Handle a Toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Floss around the affected tooth to remove potential irritants. If you’re still in pain, contact our office for treatment. Until you can see us, take over the counter pain medication and use a cold compress to manage discomfort.
How We Treat Toothaches: First, we will determine the cause of your toothache. Once we’ve identified the root of the problem, we will provide the necessary treatment to get you out of pain. For mild cases, we may recommend antibiotics or dental fillings. However, a more serious toothache will require treatments like root canal therapy, gum disease treatment, or extraction.
Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? If you chip a tooth, stay calm! In many cases, this is not a dental emergency, however you should get treatment soon to prevent the chip from getting bigger.
How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth: Once you recognize that you chipped a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and contact our emergency dentist in South Hadley for instructions. Usually, we will advise you to take over the counter pain medication if there is discomfort.
How We Treat Chipped Teeth: Dental bonding is a great treatment for minor chips. We can use tooth-colored resin to seamlessly repair your tooth and restore its beauty. However, larger chips, especially on front teeth, may require veneers. These thin shells of dental material transform the size, shape, and shade of the tooth so it looks like you never chipped it!
Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? Even if your cracked tooth in South Hadley doesn’t hurt, contact our office right away. Slight cracks can often become larger without treatment.
How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Apply a cold compress to the side of your face to relieve discomfort and reduce swelling. Contact our office for next steps. In some cases, we will recommend a same-day appointment.
How We Treat Cracked Teeth: Small cracks can often be repaired with easy and affordable dental bonding. However, if the tooth is too damaged, we will need to place a dental crown to strengthen and protect it in the future.
Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? Very sensitive teeth could be a sign that something is wrong. That’s why we recommend scheduling an appointment with our South Hadley emergency dentist, even if you’ve struggled with this dental issue in the past.
How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth: Until we treat the root of the problem, the only thing you can do is try to avoid exacerbating the issue. We recommend avoiding hot and cold beverages as well as spicy, acidic, sugary, and crunchy foods. If the sensitivity is causing you a lot of discomfort, you can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever to keep you comfortable.
How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth: First, we will conduct an oral exam, take the necessary X-rays, and ask you a few questions about your symptoms. That way, we can pinpoint the root of the problem and determine which treatment will provide you with the long-lasting relief you deserve. For example, an infection in your gums can be treated with gum disease therapy, and significant tooth decay can be addressed with a tooth-colored filling or dental crown.
Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, and you need to visit us within 60 minutes of knocking out your tooth so we have the highest chances of saving it!
How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth: We recommend first locating the tooth. If you are able to find it, you have a few options. First, you can attempt to place it back into the socket to help preserve the root. However, this should only be done if the tooth slides back into place without any force. Otherwise, you can place the tooth in a container filled with milk or saliva.
How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth: If the tooth is in good condition, then there is a chance that we can reinsert it, provide it with the necessary support, and allow it to heal. Unfortunately, there are some cases where that is no longer an option. Then, we need to determine which tooth-replacement solution is ideal, like a dental bridge or dental implant.
Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? Since the missing restoration can leave your tooth weak and, therefore, vulnerable to further damage, we recommend scheduling a same-day appointment with our South Hadley emergency dentist if you’ve lost a dental filling or crown.
How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown: One of your top priorities should be protecting your tooth from further harm, so don’t chew on that side of your mouth or engage in any unhealthy dental habits, like smoking. You should also periodically rinse your mouth with water to help keep the area clean and prevent infection. Lastly, take over-the-counter pain medication as directed if your lost restoration has resulted in discomfort.
Important note: if you’ve lost a dental crown, do your best to find it and, if you do, bring it with you to your appointment.
How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns: In both cases, our priority is restoring the look, strength, and function of your tooth. If you have your dental crown and it’s in good condition, we may be able to recement it back in place. Otherwise, we can handle it the same way we do a dental filling: provide you with a new one.
When faced with a dental emergency, the last thing on your mind is how much it will cost to treat it. At Newton Street Dental, we want your focus to remain solely on repairing the problem and leaving with a healthier, happier smile, but we understand the financial responsibilities of dental work can determine how you choose to fix the issue. Below you will find more information about the factors that can contribute to the overall cost of emergency dentistry in South Hadley as well as what payment options are available. If you have additional questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our office today.
Not all dentists are the same and neither are dental emergencies. While some may only require a quick filling, a more serious injury might result in dental implants or other tooth replacement solutions. To better understand your overall treatment costs, you can expect your emergency dentist in Granby to evaluate the following factors:
Only until you schedule an appointment to see a member of our team will we be able to provide a clear estimate, so you have a better understanding of your expected costs.
At Salmon Brook Dental, we are pleased to be in-network with an array of dental insurance providers, and we will help to maximize your benefits and minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. Most companies will cover at least one emergency exam per year, but it’s important that you check with your insurance carrier to verify whether this is valid for your plan.
The real cost, however, comes with the type of restorative care you need. Since most carriers agree to cover between 50-80% of the total cost (depending on whether you’ve met your deductible and how much remains of your annual maximum), you can breathe a sigh of relief when using your dental insurance to cover your emergency treatment.
If you are uninsured or need help in paying the remaining balance after filing with your insurance, we also work closely with CareCredit, which is a third-party financier who offers low and no interest payment plans to help you stay within your budget.
If you suddenly fall while walking to your car after leaving the office or accidentally stumble while playing tag with your kids and suffer a chipped or broken tooth, you cannot necessarily avoid these types of dental injuries. However, those that result in a serious toothache or infection can be prevented.
Apart from maintaining an optimal oral hygiene routine, you must also commit to seeking immediate dental care at the first sign of a problem. Allowing pain to worsen or “minor” damage untreated will only lead to worsening oral health and costlier procedures.
By choosing to be proactive about your dental health, you can avoid unexpected trips to the dentist as well as keep more money in your pocket.
While it’s impossible to protect yourself from dental emergencies with 100% certainty, there are some steps you can take to minimize your risk of an urgent dental situation. It’s always best to be proactive rather than reactive. Keep reading to learn some easy ways to prevent dental emergencies in South Had!
The American Dental Association recommends that you visit your dentist at least twice a year for routine checkups and cleanings. These appointments are vital because they allow a professional hygienist to remove and clean away plaque that you couldn’t get to at home, reducing your risk of dental issues. Additionally, checkups give your dentist a chance to catch any problems while they are still small, protecting you from more extensive, expensive, and painful dental emergencies in the future. This is also a great time to ask us any questions you may have about your oral health.
The types of foods you eat can directly impact the health and strength of your smile. Do your best to avoid foods that are extra sugary, acidic, sticky, or hard because these items can harm your teeth over time. Instead, choose fruits and veggies! These foods act as natural toothbrushes, scrubbing away plaque while also stimulating saliva flow to wash away bacteria. Additionally, a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D will keep your smile strong.
Your first defense against dental emergencies is your at-home oral healthcare routine. Make sure that you’re brushing twice a day for two minutes each session. Angle your brush at 45-degrees and pay close attention to your gumline for the most thorough cleaning. Also, floss once a day to remove pesky bits of food and plaque that get stuck between teeth. For an extra layer of cleaning, use alcohol-free mouthwash. This is a great step if you have trouble cleaning your tongue or reaching various parts of your mouth.
Dental emergencies are automatically more likely to occur during sports or activity, whether you consider them physical or not. That’s why you should always wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth. Our custom-made mouthguards are comfortable to wear, and they reduce the chance of dental injury and concussion if there is a blow to the face. Additionally, you should wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth. This habit can eventually weaken your smile and cause it to crack.
It can be tempting to use your smile to rip through packages or open bottles. However, this is a quick way toward a cracked or damaged tooth. Only use your teeth for chewing, speaking, and smiling. Additionally, do not chew on non-food items like pens or ice cubes because these can crack your grin. We recommend keeping a pack of sugarless gum on you so you can chew it instead of forming other habits that can harm your smile.
Start by cleaning the area with water. From there, you can apply a cold compress directly to the wound. This will work to reduce any swelling that is present. If the bleeding stops after applying pressure, come to our office. However, if the bleeding does not stop after performing the previous steps, you are likely better off visiting the emergency room in this instance. Once you have stabilized, you can come to our office for a more detailed examination.
In most cases, dental emergencies do not get better on their own. Unfortunately, dental emergencies are not like the common cold or minor abrasions, both of which tend to heal or go away after enough time. When a tooth is cracked or it hurts, it continues hurting or remaining damaged until it gets treated by a dentist. Remember, the sooner you get treated, the more likely your costs will be lower overall.
Yes. Unless it was very loose to begin with, baby teeth are not supposed to come out too early. If your child is experiencing a large amount of pain after the tooth comes out, that’s another sign that they need to see an emergency dentist right away. They may need to have a spacer placed in order to prevent the adult tooth from erupting too soon.
Under no circumstances should you be using a toothpick or other sharp objects to remove foreign materials from in between teeth. While we mentioned that you should slide floss from in between your teeth, you can also combine one half teaspoon of salt and one glass of warm water to create a saltwater mixture. Rinse your mouth out with this mixture to effectively loosen the material without using sharp objects.