
A dental emergency could happen anywhere and at any time — and such situations can affect anyone as well, even individuals who have excellent oral care habits. If you ever find yourself confronted by a sudden and unexpected dental problem, contact us right away. We will make room in our schedule to see you as soon as possible for emergency dentistry in Watertown, MA — probably even on the same day that you call. Our goal is to relieve your pain and get your oral health back on track.
Getting in touch with us is one of the first things you should do when you experience a dental emergency. However, that is not the only thing you should do. Before your dental appointment, there may be some steps you can take to lessen your pain and minimize the damage to your oral health. Below, you will find some basic guidelines on how best to handle common dental emergencies.
Avoid using the affected tooth to chew to the extent possible. It is fine to take OTC pain medications as long as you do not apply them directly to the gums; doing so has the potential to cause chemical burns. If your toothache is marked by throbbing pain, or if the tooth is darker than the ones next to it, it is possible that you have an infection that will require root canal therapy.
Placing sugar-free gum over the tooth can stop its jagged edges from harming nearby soft tissues. Avoid using the tooth if possible. When you get to our dental office, we might be able to repair it. In some cases, however, extraction might be necessary.
Learn More About Tooth Extractions
Pick up the tooth by its crown (the top part), and gently rinse off any debris. Try to put it back into its socket; if that is not possible, keep it moist in a glass of milk or water. Hurry to get to our dental office. If you receive treatment within an hour or two of when the tooth got knocked out, we might be able to splint it back into place.
Do not use the tooth to chew. Try to replace a lost crown on the tooth with the help of dental adhesive or a dab of toothpaste (do not force it if it does not want to fit). When you get to All Dental Center for your appointment, we may be able to permanently reattach the lost restoration. Or, we might need to replace it with a new one.
Here are some tips to help you reduce the chances that you will suffer a dental emergency:
The cost of treating your dental emergency will depend on type of treatment you receive. For example, if you simply need a prescription, it will cost less than if you require a complex or extensive procedure, like a root canal therapy or a crown. We will give you a candid estimate for the cost of your treatment, and we will help you figure out how your insurance or financing may play a role in helping you fit it into your budget.