Emergency Dentist — Newburyport, MA

Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? Your toothache may be a dental emergency depending on what caused it. Call our office in Newburyport if you experience:

• Severe pain that lasts longer than twenty-four hours
• A sharp pain when biting down
• Sharp tooth sensitivity that lasts longer than thirty seconds
• A small bump on the gums near the troubled tooth
• The painful tooth appearing darker than the other teeth
• Symptoms of a serious infection such as swelling, fatigue, or fever

How you should handle a toothache: First, try flossing to eliminate any food debris that may be causing the toothache. If this does not work, take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Swish salt water in your mouth to reduce inflammation and kill harmful bacteria. Applying a cold compress may also help reduce swelling and discomfort.

How we treat toothaches: Toothaches can be caused by factors such as cavities, gum disease, and serious oral infections. After we evaluate you, we’ll be able to determine the appropriate treatment to address the issue. We may be able to eliminate the toothache with fillings, dental crowns, or nightguards for bruxism.

Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? While a chipped tooth can usually wait a few days before treatment, it’s still important to have it treated soon to prevent infection or further damage.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: If you can find any large pieces of your tooth, keep them in a clean container so you can bring them with you to our office. Rinse your mouth with water to wash away bacteria and any remaining dental shards. Refrain from biting or chewing with the injured tooth, and you may be able to cover any sharp edges with dental wax or sugar-free gum to prevent injuries to the soft tissues.

How we treat chipped teeth: We usually use a small amount of tooth-colored composite resin to restore the strength and appearance of chipped teeth. However, you may be a good candidate for porcelain veneers if you are concerned about a chip in a highly visible tooth.

Learn More About Porcelain Veneers

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Even if a crack is small, it still represents a weak point in your enamel that can lead to infection or further damage, so it’s important to see us as soon as possible if you have one. Cracks are not always visible, so you may have hidden damage if you experience pain or sensitivity in a tooth after sustaining a blow to the face.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: Regularly rinse your mouth with water to clear away bacteria. You may also apply a cold compress or use an over-the-counter pain reliever. Avoid using the injured side of your mouth while chewing, and you may want to try covering the damaged tooth with sugar-free gum or dental wax to reduce discomfort.

How we treat cracked teeth: We usually repair cracked teeth with a customized dental crown, but we may be able to address the problem with a small amount of composite resin in minor cases. However, if the tooth is too severely damaged to be repaired, we may need to consider your tooth replacement options such as partial dentures.

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? There are some cases where dental sensitivity warrants a visit to our Newburyport office, like if the sensation has lasted for several hours or is progressively getting worse.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth At home, avoid anything that will exacerbate your symptoms, like drinking hot coffee or eating ice cream. If the sensitivity is more significant, you can also take OTC pain medication as directed.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth The root of the problem is often tooth decay. However, there are some cases where it’s actually an infection in the gums. For that reason, we need to conduct an oral exam before sharing our recommendations on how to move forward.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? Since we only have about 60 minutes to save your tooth, the answer is a resounding “yes!” In fact, we recommend contacting us immediately so we can schedule an emergency appointment for you within the hour.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth In addition to scheduling an emergency appointment, we recommend taking proactive steps to preserve the root of your tooth, like placing it in a clean container filled with milk. It’s also a good idea to periodically rinse your mouth with clean, cool water.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth First, we will see if we can save your tooth. If that’s not possible because the tooth was lost or badly damaged, then we will opt for the next best thing: a custom-made dental bridge or implant.

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? Yes. In fact, even if your restoration is just slightly loose, you should contact us ASAP. Remember, without it securely in place, your tooth is vulnerable to considerable damage.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown In addition to caring for your tooth, you need to take care of your restoration. That’s why we recommend not chewing on that side of your mouth as well as storing your dental filling or crown in a small, clean container for safekeeping.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns Of course, the answer depends on a few factors unique to you, including the type of restoration in question and if it’s still in good condition. Rest assured, we will review all of the treatment options available to you – from providing you with a new dental filling to re-cementing your existing dental crown back in place.

Broken Denture

Loose Permanent Tooth

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Jaw Pain

Something Stuck Between the Teeth