No one ever plans on experiencing a dental emergency, but they do arise. They can happen to anyone, even individuals who do their best to take care of their teeth and gums. If you ever find yourself suffering from a sudden and unexpected dental problem, give us a call right away. We will arrange our schedule to see you as soon as possible — probably even on the same day that you contact us. Our goal is to quickly relieve your pain and get you back on the road to sound oral health with emergency dentistry in Westborough, MA.
When you experience a dental emergency, one of the first things you should do is call us so we can provide you with professional care. Before your dental appointment, however, there may also be a few things you can do on your own to lessen your pain and minimize the damage to your oral health. Below, we have provided some basic guidelines on how to handle various dental emergencies.
Try to avoid chewing with the tooth. It is okay to take over the counter pain relievers as long as you do not apply them directly to the gums; doing so might cause chemical burns. If the toothache produces throbbing pain, or the tooth is darker than the ones around it, it is likely that you have an infection that requires root canal therapy.
You can place some sugar-free gum over the tooth to stop its jagged edges from harming the soft tissues in your mouth. Avoid using the tooth as much as possible. When you visit our dental office, we might be able to repair the damage. However, extraction is also a possibility.
Touching the tooth only by its top part, gently rinse of any debris. Try to replace it in its socket. If that is not possible, store it in a glass of milk or water. If you get to our dental office within an hour of two of when the tooth got knocked out, we may be able to splint it back into place.
Do not use the tooth to chew. If possible, replace the lost restoration on the tooth (dental adhesive from a pharmacy or a dab of toothpaste can help with this). When you arrive for your appointment, we may be able to reattach the restoration, but it is also possible that you will need an entirely new one.
Use the following tips to reduce the chances that you will face a dental emergency:
The cost of treating your dental emergency will depend on the exact nature of the problem at hand. For example, if you simply need an antibiotic prescription, it will cost less than if you require an extensive procedure, like a crown or root canal therapy. We will give you an upfront estimate of the cost of your treatment, and we will help you explore how financing and insurance could help you manage your financial obligation.