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!