Belchertown Emergency Dentistry

Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency?

Toothaches can be caused by numerous different issues. While it could be a minor problem, it’s a good idea to seek dental attention, as it could be a more serious issue that needs to be addressed right away. If you have tooth pain that is sharp, throbbing, or accompanied by a pimple-like bump on the gums, you should give us a call to schedule an appointment.

How you should handle a toothache:

Rinse your mouth out with water first. By using salt water, you can disinfect the area and reduce inflammation. Floss around your troublesome tooth and use a cold compress to reduce discomfort. Until we can examine your smile, over-the-counter pain relievers can help to manage your pain.

How we treat toothaches:

We need to take a look at your smile to determine the underlying cause of your toothache. A filling or dental crown is often all that is needed to address the issue. However, sometimes a root canal, gum disease therapy, or an extraction is necessary.

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency?

A chipped tooth isn’t usually an urgent dental emergency. However, it’s still a good idea to see us within a few days or at your earliest convenience. By leaving your tooth as-is, it is more vulnerable to additional damage.

How you should handle a chipped tooth:

Collect any larger pieces of your tooth and rinse your mouth out with water. You should avoid chewing on the side of your mouth with the chip. If your tooth is sharp or jagged, you can use dental wax to cover the area so that you don’t accidentally cut your lip or cheek.

How we treat chipped teeth:

For chips that are minor, dental bonding can repair your tooth in a single appointment. If you have a larger chip or a chip on a more visible tooth, you may want to opt for a dental crown or veneer.

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency?

Cracking a tooth can leave your smile vulnerable to bacteria. This can eventually lead to serious issues if you don’t seek dental attention in a timely manner. It can be challenging to spot cracks in the teeth, but if you notice new or increasing pain and/or sensitivity, this could be a sign.

How you should handle a cracked tooth:

Start by rinsing out your mouth with water and give us a call to explain your situation. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help to manage pain and swelling.

How we treat cracked teeth:

For smaller cracks, dental bonding may do the trick. However, if you have a deeper, more severe crack, you could need a dental crown or an extraction to restore your smile.

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency?

There are some cases where the answer is “yes.” For example, if the pain is stemming from one tooth in particular or the discomfort has persisted for more than 24 hours, we recommend giving our team a call so we can make sure an untreated oral health issue isn’t the root of the problem.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth

Fortunately, there are a few proactive measures you can take to avoid exacerbating the sensitivity you’re experiencing, like avoiding acidic foods and cold drinks. You can take that a step further by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed until you arrive at our Belchertown dental office for treatment.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth

If we determine that the root of the problem is gum disease, then we will need to intervene with periodontal therapy before the infection has the chance to progress. Similarly, if tooth decay is the source of your discomfort, then a tooth-colored filling or dental crown may be the best solution. There are some cases where the tooth sensitivity isn’t the result of anything in particular, and, in that case, we can provide you with a prescription mouthwash and desensitizing toothpaste.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A knocked-out tooth isn’t just a dental emergency; it’s a dental emergency that needs to be treated within 60 minutes! That’s why it’s so important that you give our Belchertown emergency dentist a call ASAP.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth

The first step is locating the tooth. If you are able to find it, then avoid the root when touching it. Instead, pick it up carefully by the crown and place it in a cup of milk or saliva. You can also preserve the root by placing the tooth back in its socket, but only if it slides in without any force.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth

First and foremost, we will do everything we can to save the tooth. If that’s not possible because the tooth is too damaged, then we will need to replace it with a dental bridge or implant. If this dental emergency was the result of a sports accident, then we will also provide you with a custom mouthguard to protect your smile moving forward.

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency?

It is! Even if you aren’t in pain, the weakened tooth is now vulnerable to infection and further damage. We recommend calling us right away so we can schedule a time for you to come in and share what to do until you arrive.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown

In both cases, you should take proactive measures to keep the area clean, like not chewing on that side of your mouth and rinsing your mouth frequently with water. For lost dental crowns specifically, do your best to locate the restoration and, if you find it, store it in a clean container for safekeeping.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns

Treating a lost dental filling is pretty straightforward: we will address any damage before providing you with a new one. For dental crowns, the treatment depends. If we can, we will recement the dental crown in place. If that’s not an option, then we will have a replacement made and provide you with a temporary crown in the meantime.

Broken Denture

Is A Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? Wearing a broken denture can result in various issues, such as irritation to the soft tissues in your mouth and discomfort in your jaw. That's precisely why we advise you to promptly schedule an appointment with our team for timely assistance.

How To Handle a Broken Denture: Certain actions are best avoided when dealing with a denture issue, like trying to fix it with superglue. Such products contain harmful substances and should not be ingested. The best course of action is to promptly schedule an appointment with our team. This way, we can efficiently repair or replace your denture without delay.

How We Treat Broken Dentures: Depending on the situation, we have the ability to realign your denture to ensure a proper fit. However, if the damage is extensive, such as a significant crack, our priority will be to guide you through the process of getting a suitable replacement.

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth an Emergency? Loose teeth commonly arise from sports-related injuries or severe infections. In either scenario, it's crucial to promptly reach out to our team to schedule an appointment. This immediate action enhances the likelihood of saving the tooth and addressing any existing oral health issues before they can advance.

How You Should Handle a Loose Permanent Tooth: First, contact our office and schedule an appointment. While you wait for your appointment, there are a few precautionary measures you can follow to prevent worsening the situation. Avoid touching your tooth with your tongue and refrain from consuming hard, chewy, and sticky foods. Keeping the area clean is also essential. You should consider rinsing gently with warm water to help keep bacteria at bay.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth: We are dedicated to preserving your natural tooth whenever possible. In cases where that's not achievable, we will proceed with our advanced tooth-replacement alternatives. Before creating your personalized treatment plan, we will thoroughly explore all available choices and assist you in determining the most suitable one for your oral health.

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency? Seeing blood might lead you to assume immediate emergency care is necessary. If the bleeding persists for over a few minutes, you should contact our office. This will allow us to gather more information about your condition and provide guidance on the subsequent steps.

How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: To start, rinse the cut using fresh water. Following that, use a clean washcloth (or gauze) to help stop the bleeding. Should you have swelling, you can use a cold compress on the affected area to help reduce puffiness.

How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: Sometimes, we can suture the wound closed. However, if the cut is sizable and bleeding persists for more than 10 minutes, it's advisable to seek care at the emergency room.

Learn More About Sports Mouthguards

Jaw Pain

Is jaw pain a dental emergency? Jaw pain can be quite discomforting, but usually, it doesn't necessitate an immediate emergency visit. If the discomfort persists over time, we recommend reaching out to our team. This will enable us to identify the underlying cause of the issue.

How you should handle jaw pain: For immediate relief from jaw pain, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever and apply a cold compress (or ice pack wrapped in a towel). These steps can assist in reducing swelling and discomfort while providing a temporary numbing effect. However, if you suspect a broken or dislocated jaw, it's crucial to contact 911 or promptly visit the nearest emergency room.

How we treat jaw pain: We have a solution to ease jaw pain – a personalized mouthguard. If your jaw pain is linked to emerging wisdom teeth, our suggestion might involve extracting them for relief.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

While typically not an urgent dental concern, getting something lodged between your teeth can indeed cause discomfort. Begin by using floss to delicately remove any debris. If this is too difficult, don't hesitate to contact our team for assistance.