Emergency Dental Information in Natick MA

Is my toothache a dental emergency?
If you have a severe toothache, abscess, or swelling, you may have an infection and will need to seek treatment right away. If you cannot come in to see us, or if you are experiencing any other symptoms such as dizziness, difficulty breathing, severe headache, fever, vertigo, vision, hearing, or trouble moving your eye please go to the emergency room for immediate medical attention as such infection can be potentially fatal if not treated right away.

How you should handle a toothache:
Use dental floss to remove potential food debris from between your teeth. If discomfort does not go away, take ibuprofen to reduce it. If any swelling appears, apply a cold compress to your cheek for about 10 minutes at a time. Remove it after 10 minutes and reapply for up to one hour.

How we treat toothaches:
First, we’ll need to identify the root cause of your toothache. Once we’ve done that, we’ll be able to determine the best treatment method to relieve your discomfort. Some common solutions for tooth pain include fillings, dental crowns, antibiotics, root canal therapy, gum disease treatment, and extractions.

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency?
While you can wait a few days to seek treatment for a chipped tooth, you should still make an appointment as soon as you can. Otherwise, your condition is at risk of worsening and leading to painful complications down the line.

How you should handle a chipped tooth:
Keep any pieces of the tooth that you can and bring them to our dental office. If the tooth is sharp or jagged, cover it using dental wax to prevent accidentally cutting your facial tissue. If any pain or swelling is present, use a cold compress to reduce this swelling and take ibuprofen to remove the pain.

How we treat chipped teeth:
Usually, we’ll use tooth-colored composite resin to fix a chipped tooth. If you’ve damaged a highly visible tooth, you can always opt for a dental veneer instead to improve aesthetics.

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency?
While you can wait a few days to seek treatment for a chipped tooth, you should still make an appointment as soon as you can. Otherwise, your condition is at risk of worsening and leading to painful complications down the line.

How you should handle a chipped tooth:
Keep any pieces of the tooth that you can and bring them to our dental office. If the tooth is sharp or jagged, cover it using dental wax to prevent accidentally cutting your facial tissue. If any pain or swelling is present, use a cold compress to reduce this swelling and take ibuprofen to remove the pain.

How we treat chipped teeth:
Usually, we’ll use tooth-colored composite resin to fix a chipped tooth. If you’ve damaged a highly visible tooth, you can always opt for a dental veneer instead to improve aesthetics.

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency?
Dental sensitivity can have a number of different causes, some of which require a visit to an emergency dentist in Natick. Really, any new or worsening sensitivity is a reason to seek care.

How You Should Handle Sensitive Teeth
Give us a call and tell us some details about the situation. Based on what you say, we will recommend your next steps. We might give you tips for at-home care until it is convenient for you to visit us. For example, we may tell you to avoid certain foods or start using a sensitivity-reducing toothpaste. On the other hand, it is also possible that we will urge you to come in for an appointment right away.

How We Treat Tooth Sensitivity
The best way to address sensitivity depends on its cause. If your enamel is thin, you might need a prescription toothpaste or a topical fluoride treatment. If you have a severely decayed tooth, you may need root canal therapy or a crown. If your gums are receding, you might need restorative gum disease therapy.

Is a Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency?
A lost tooth in Natick is one of the most urgent dental emergencies you could face. To increase the chances that the tooth can be replanted into its socket, you should receive care within an hour or so of it getting knocked out.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth
Touching the tooth only by its crown (the portion you normally see above the gumline), pick it up and gently rinse off any debris. Then, find a way to keep it moist. Ideally, you should place it back in its socket or tuck it between your cheek and gums. If neither of those options are possible, store it in milk or use a tooth preservation kit from a local pharmacy. It is best not to place it in plane water or in any acidic liquids.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth
We will assess the situation to determine if it is possible to replant the tooth. We may be able to splint it back into its socket, and over time, your body may reintegrate it. If the tooth cannot be saved, we will tend the damage to your oral tissues before we discuss tooth replacement options, such as an implant, bridge, or denture.

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency?
A lost filling or lost dental crown in Natick is not a particularly urgent situation. However, you should still visit us as soon as you can because the tooth that lost the restoration is extra vulnerable to harm.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown
You might be able to temporarily reattach a lost filling or crown with a dab of dental cement from a local pharmacy. However, do not try to force it into place. If you cannot reattach it, place it in a small storage container with a lid and bring it with you to your dental appointment.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns
We might be able to permanently reattach a lost restoration. However, it is also possible that you will need an entirely new one. You might additionally require some restorative treatment if the condition of your tooth has deteriorated since you first received the restoration.

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency?
The answer is a resounding “yes!” Whether the damage seems relatively minor or your denture has completely split down the middle, it’s important that you call our Natick dental team ASAP to schedule an appointment.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture
First, you shouldn’t wear your broken dentures since this can result in further complications. Instead, we recommend gathering the broken pieces in a small container or bag for safekeeping. In the meantime, stick to soft foods.

How We Treat Broken Dentures
That depends. If the damage is extensive, then we may need to replace your dentures entirely. It may also be a good time to upgrade yours with dental implants!

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency?
Absolutely! Mainly because we need to intervene before an infection develops or, perhaps even worse, the tooth falls out completely.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth
Priority number one is preventing the tooth from loosening even further. For that reason, you shouldn’t chew on that side of your mouth, especially if you’re eating something particularly hard or crunchy. You also shouldn’t touch the tooth with your tongue or finger.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth
Fortunately, dental splints can sometimes be used to support your tooth and ultimately save it from needing to be extracted. Of course, there are other cases where the best choice for your oral health is to remove your tooth and replace it with a dental bridge or implant.

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency?
If you bite down hard on your gums, lips, or tongue, you might be startled by how much the cut bleeds. Don’t worry – you can usually handle injuries like these from home.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue
To properly handle this dental injury, you need to first use clean water to rinse the cut. Then, use a damp washcloth (or some gauze) to apply pressure to the area, stopping the bleeding in the process.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue
Since these situations can usually be handled at home, you typically won’t need to come in for treatment. If, however, you’ve been applying pressure for 10 minutes and the wound continues to bleed, then you should head to the ER.

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency?
Jaw pain can seriously impact your overall quality of life – from making it hard to chew to making it difficult to concentrate. That’s why we recommend scheduling an appointment with our Natick emergency dentist if the discomfort has persisted for more than 24 hours.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain
First, try placing a cold compress against your jaw to alleviate inflammation and discomfort. Second, stick to soft foods to avoid exacerbating the issue, and take OTC pain medication as directed.

How We Treat Jaw Pain
After learning more about your symptoms, taking X-rays, and examining your bite, we’ll have a better idea what the source of your jaw pain is and, in turn, how to treat it.

If something is lodged between your teeth, like a popcorn kernel or some other debris, then you should mix some salt in warm water. Then, swish the mixture around in your mouth for 30 seconds at a time. This should loosen the debris so it’s easier to remove with your floss. If you’re having trouble, then let our team know so we can help.