Emergency Dentistry — Worcester, MA

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Routine checkups and cleanings at our dental office are essential. In addition to preventing tooth decay and gum disease, these periodic visits allow us to catch oral health concerns in the early stages. As a result, we can intervene with the appropriate restorative treatment before it becomes a dental emergency, like a cracked, loose, or chipped tooth.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

Maintaining good oral hygiene at home is also important – this is what prevents plaque and tartar build-up on a daily basis! A solid dental care regimen starts with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste with fluoride. With these tools, you should brush for a full two minutes each morning and evening. Additionally, floss daily and rinse with mouthwash regularly to prevent tooth decay and gum disease from developing.

Stick to a Nutritious Diet

In short, what you do and don’t eat matters. For example, if you don’t eat nutrient-dense foods regularly, then your teeth may not get the nutrients they need to stay healthy and strong. Similarly, if you eat crunchy and hard foods often, like popcorn and peanut brittle, then you may crack or chip a tooth. The best thing to do is eat a well-balanced diet that’s filled with oatmeal, yogurt, vegetables, fruit, and other smile-friendly foods.

Wear a Mouthguard

Of course, those who participate in contact sports should wear a mouthguard at all times. That way, you drastically reduce your chances of one of your teeth being knocked-out or shoved out of place. Additionally, those who suffer from chronic teeth grinding need to wear a nightguard to prevent enamel erosion or chipping and cracking of teeth. Fortunately, our team can provide you with a custom-made one, which is far superior to the mouthguards available at your local sporting goods store.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

Although your teeth are strong and sharp, they aren’t tools. So, you should not use them to open packages, bottle caps, and the like. Although it may be inconvenient to take the time to locate the right tool, it’s a way better option than risking a dental emergency by using your teeth. Note: to prevent a dental emergency, you also should avoid chewing on ice or inedible objects, like pencils and pen caps.

Is There Any Way I Can Prepare for a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies are typically sudden and out of the blue, but there are a few things you can do to be ready for handling one. Consider making or buying a dental first aid kit with gauze, pain relievers, a small clean case, floss and other helpful items for emergencies. Many pharmacies even sell tooth preservation kits and dental cement in case a tooth gets knocked out or a dental crown comes loose. Most importantly, you should save our number in your phone so you can call us immediately if an emergency strikes.

When Should I Go to the ER Instead of the Emergency Dentist?

Not every ER is equipped or staffed to fully treat dental emergencies. That’s why in most cases, you’ll save time, money and hassle by giving us a call first. However, there are certain situations that need to be stabilized at your local emergency room before we can repair your smile, such as:

• Dislocated or broken jaw
• Oral bleeding that hasn’t stopped for 10 minutes
• Swelling in the jaw, mouth, or face that makes it difficult to swallow or breathe

How Can I Tell If My Toothache Is a Dental Emergency?

All dental pain should be looked at in a timely manner, but most toothaches aren’t a major cause of concern. However, sometimes a toothache is a sign of a serious oral health issue that needs immediate attention. Give us a call right away if your toothache is accompanied by:

• Discoloration
• Long-lasting or severe pain
• Small, pimple-like bump on the gums
• Loose teeth
• Signs of infection, such as discharge, swelling, or fever

Do I Still Have to Visit the Dentist If My Toothache Goes Away?

It may feel like quite a relief if a painful tooth suddenly stops hurting. However, that doesn’t mean the issue has gone away! Teeth can’t heal themselves like the rest of your body, so problems like cavities, chipped enamel, and infections don’t go away on their own. If a tooth suddenly goes numb, that could mean that the nerve inside has been damaged by an injury or bacteria. Even if your tooth isn’t hurting anymore, it could be in danger of falling out or spreading the problem to the rest of your teeth. You need to see us right away so we can evaluate and treat the underlying problem.

How Long Can I Wait to See a Dentist for My Emergency?

For a knocked-out tooth, it’s important that you reach our office for treatment within an hour. Other issues like a severely broken or dislodged tooth need to be seen as soon as possible to prevent serious infections and permanent damage. Whatever dental emergency you’re facing, give us a call right away so we can assess how soon you need to come to visit us. We’ll give you personalized first-aid advice to manage your situation until you can reach our Worcester office.