Emergency Dentistry – Wethersfield, CT
Fast, Effective Relief
At Dolan Dental, we understand that emergency situations tend to strike when someone is least expecting it – maybe your child fell on the playground and knocked out a tooth, or maybe what was once a slight discomfort in the mouth has suddenly blossomed into a severe, ongoing pain. Whatever your situation is, Dr. Thomas Dolan and Dr. Brendan Dolan have one important goal: to provide fast, effective relief! That’s why our team treats urgent cases as soon as we possibly can, even coming in after-hours and on weekends when we’re able to in order to see patients in need. Don’t hesitate to give our Wethersfield, CT office a call today to schedule your first appointment. We also welcome patients from Rocky Hill, CT, and other surrounding areas!
How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies can either occur in a flash, like in the case of falling and breaking a tooth, or they can gradually arise, such as an infection that results in a severe toothache. Whatever the case may be, your emergency dentist in Wethersfield is more than prepared to handle it. In between the time you call us and reach our office, here are some basic tips to help you deal with your situation.
Toothaches
First, rinse your mouth out with saltwater and floss to dislodge any food particles that may be causing your discomfort. If that doesn’t work, take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen as instructed on the bottle. Root canal may be the best option to remove a damaged nerve and save the tooth from extraction.
Chipped/Broken Tooth
Rinse and spit to remove any leftover tooth shards. Collect and store any large pieces in a secure container. Apply a cold compress to the area in ten-minute intervals to reduce pain and swelling. You can cover any sharp edges of the tooth with dental wax or sugar-free chewing gum. We may be able to piece your tooth back together, but in some cases, we might have to extract it entirely for the sake of your oral health.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Pick up the tooth by its crown, not the pointed root. Gently rinse off debris, taking care to not remove any tissue that may still be attached. Place the tooth back in its socket by biting down on a piece of gauze or cloth. If that’s not possible, store the tooth in a container of milk and bring it with you to our office. If you can’t make it our office within the hour, visit an emergency room right away.
Lost Filling/Crown
Locate the restoration and rinse it off. You can temporarily reattach it using denture adhesive, but if that’s not available, you can use toothpaste or sugarless gum. Avoid chewing with that tooth until you can see us for a more permanent reattachment.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
While there’s no surefire way to prevent a dental emergency 100% of the time, there are a few precautions you can take to lessen their likelihood of occurring, such as:
- Do your best to avoid foods that are overly tough to chew, sticky, or hard. Additionally, don’t bite down on the ice in drinks.
- Always use scissors to open difficult packaging instead of your own teeth.
- Be sure to wear a mouthguard if you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding), or if you regularly participate in sports where physical contact can happen.
- Make sure to attend regular checkups every six months (or twice yearly) with your dentist in Wethersfield. By regularly inspecting your smile, we can locate and treat little problems before they spiral into big ones.
The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
The amount you’ll have to pay for your emergency treatment will depend on the extent of the damage. For example, a minor treatment like reattaching a crown will cost significantly less than replacing a knocked-out tooth. When you come to see us, our first priority will be getting you out of pain. From there, we can formulate a treatment plan tailored to your unique smile needs. Rest assured that our friendly and helpful team will do our utmost to restore your oral health without breaking the bank!
Dental Emergency FAQs
Dental emergencies seem to happen out of the blue, so it is completely understandable that you have some unanswered questions. After all, it can be difficult to know what to do when you are experiencing stress and discomfort. The good news is that we’re here to help! Here are the answers to some of the most common queries we receive about dental emergencies in Wethersfield. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, don’t worry. Give us a call and we’d be happy to answer your questions and help you navigate your emergency.
Will my toothache go away on its own?
Toothaches don’t generally go away on their own. Because of this, it’s best to schedule a checkup with your dentist to ensure that nothing is wrong. There are many potential causes for a toothache, and you’ll want to rule them out with a professional as soon as possible. Doing this can help you to catch underlying issues before they become more serious.
Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?
Unfortunately, most emergency rooms aren’t able to address dental emergencies effectively. However, there are a few main exceptions where the ER is a better option. You should head to the ER if you have experienced a jaw fracture or dislocation, serious cut or laceration to the face or mouth, or an abscess or infection that’s swollen to the point of affecting breathing or swallowing. In pretty much all other circumstances, you should visit a dentist first.
Do I need to visit for minor chips to teeth?
Teeth are unable to heal on their own when they are chipped, fractured, or otherwise broken. This means the tooth will only become damaged further if you don’t seek treatment. Depending on how severe the break is, there are several different possible solutions. It is especially important to head to the dental office if the chipped tooth is sharp or jagged, as this can cut your gums or oral tissue.
Are toothpicks safe to use?
Toothpicks, particularly wooden ones, are not the safest option out there. When you use them, it is easy to damage your enamel and gum tissue, and wooden toothpicks can splinter in the mouth. It is even possible to push food debris further between the tooth or under the gumline, therefore causing issues. Toothpicks should only be used as a last resort.