BEST Emergency Dentist Near You
Trust our emergency dentist for prompt relief and expert treatment.
Same-Day Emergency Dentist Appointments near You
Dental Emergencies are never comfortable or convenient. Most emergency situations result in extreme pain or swelling. Their occurrence normally requires you to rearrange prior commitments such as work, meetings, or school.
Additionally, they can occur during inopportune times, such as before a wedding, in the middle of the night, or on vacation. Many situations arise that can result in you seeking urgent dental care near you. An untreated tooth infection can lead to bigger problems down the road. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call us immediately! Our experienced dentist in Stratford, CT … Click to open this link in the same window … can help.
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Contact our office today to schedule a same-day dentist appointment near you.
What Type of Dental Emergencies Do We Handle?
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Abscess/Infection
Teeth that have unfilled and untreated cavities may result in an infection and need for a root canal or extraction … Click to open this link in the same window … . Bacteria in the cavity can eventually reach the nerve and travel into the gums beneath, causing an abscess. Even old root canal … Click to open this link in the same window … teeth may form new infections if they get new cavities or have fillings/crowns that have come off. Food becomes lodged in the space, and the bacteria may form an infection in the root canal.
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Avulsed (Lost) Tooth
An avulsed tooth is a tooth that has been knocked out due to trauma. The most common cause of an avulsed tooth is a sports-related injury. If an adult tooth has been knocked out, it’s important to see us immediately.
You may pick up the tooth by the crown (the part that sticks out of the gums). Do not touch the root. If you are able to put the tooth back into the socket or try holding it under your tongue until you can get to our office. You can also place the tooth in milk, saline, or saliva in a cup. If a tooth cannot be saved, we will discuss replacement options. Some options include a dental bridge … Click to open this link in the same window … or dental implants in CT … Click to open this link in the same window … .
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Broken/Cracked Tooth
When teeth have cracks, are broken, or are chipped, they may not be painful right away. If the dentin (the layer below the enamel) is exposed, it may elicit pain when you have hot or cold food and drink. Cracks can deepen over time until they reach the nerve of the tooth, resulting in pain and the need for a root canal or extraction. Broken teeth with exposed dentin could be more susceptible to cavities, and existing cavities could result in infection.
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Children’s Emergencies
From the time their first tooth grows in, children are not immune to dental emergencies. Broken or chipped teeth, cuts, bruises, and loose teeth can all occur with children of any age. Unfilled cavities may also lead to pain. Children start losing their teeth as early as age four and may continue to do so until even 16 years old.
Damaged teeth that may not fall out for years may continue to decay, causing pain or an abscess. Occasionally, an infected baby tooth can even damage the developing adult tooth beneath it. Additionally, any tooth that needs to be pulled prematurely will create a cascade effect that almost certainly will create a need for orthodontics (braces). It’s important to have your child regularly visit a pediatric dentist … Click to open this link in the same window … for examinations and cleanings.
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Gum Emergencies
Gum pain can arise from many sources. Sores, cuts, gum disease and food can all trigger pain in your gums. Sores or cuts are not only painful but can become infected. It’s best to have them evaluated, and in some cases, medication can be prescribed to help them heal.
Gum disease … Click to open this link in the same window … , if present, can cause the gums to be swollen and tender. They may bleed or make chewing food and brushing teeth uncomfortable. At your dental checkups, we screen and examine your gums to ensure that any changes or diseases noticed are addressed immediately.
Occasionally food may get stuck in your gums; if left, the gum can swell, and an infection forms. If regular flossing cannot dislodge it, it’s best to have it cleaned out by our office. Any area that continually traps food is at risk for a cavity or gum disease, so it’s best to determine how to fix the problem area.
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Sharp Tooth
A broken or chipped tooth may cause pain from irritation. Biting your cheek, tongue or lip can become painful as you continue to re- bite the cut areas. It may make it difficult to eat or speak if the irritation gets very swollen. If a small chip is creating a sharp edge, a simple smoothing down of the chip will prevent you from continuing to bite yourself. If it’s a larger break in the tooth, a filling or crown may be needed to prevent more breakage. Always have any broken or chipped teeth checked to make sure they will not do any more damage or cause any pain.
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Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
The temporomandibular joint refers to the joint that holds the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull. Pain, clicking, or other symptoms associated with the TMJ are referred to as Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) … Click to open this link in the same window … . TMJ can cause muscle spasms, headaches, or a jaw getting “locked” open. This can be due to problems with your bite, jaw discrepancies, clenching, or grinding your teeth could all lead to joint or muscle problems.
At your dental visits, we can evaluate your TMJ for signs of “clicking” called crepitus that may indicate a problem with the joint. In early, mild cases, a customized mouth guard or splint can be fabricated to relax your jaw, balance your bite, and place less stress on the joint. In some cases, muscle relaxers or pain medication may be needed to relieve symptoms. In more advanced or painful situations, a referral to a TMJ specialist is needed.
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Unfilled Cavities
Cavities start in the outer layer of the teeth, called the enamel. Over time, the cavities grow and get deeper and deeper into the teeth. They infiltrate the enamel and get into the deeper dentin layer until they eventually reach the nerve or pulp of the tooth.
Oftentimes, you do not know cavities are present when they are small. It’s only as the cavities infiltrate and get deeper into the tooth that you may begin experiencing sensitivity or pain. Once the cavity reaches the nerve, a root canal will be the only thing to save the tooth and relieve pain. It’s important to have regular check-ins with our office to determine if any cavities are present. If treatment (a filling … Click to open this link in the same window … ) is needed, it’s best to have it done as soon as the cavity is found.
What You Can Do until You Get to an Urgent Dental Care near You or Your Local Dentist
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If you lose a permanent tooth, pick it up by the crown, not the root. If you can, place it back in the hole and get to a local dentist near you in Stratford, CT, immediately.
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Over the counter, temporary cement may be used to place the crown over the sensitive tooth until you can see your dentist.
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Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to help dull the pain until your dental emergency appointment.
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Your dentist may be able to call in a prescription antibiotic or pain reliever to the pharmacy if you are away from home.
What You Need to Know before You Go to Your Family Dentist
Save yourself time and additional worry when facing a dental emergency.
In most dental emergency situations, it’s essential not to ignore your pain or symptoms. Trying to treat your condition at home can lead to worsening over time. Never try to take antibiotics that have been “leftover” from other prescriptions and never take medication that was not prescribed to you.
We are here for you! We understand how important it is to address tooth emergencies quickly, so we want to be your #1 choice for your emergency dentist near you. Call our office. … click to call … Even if we are closed, there is a way to reach us through an after-hours number.
Even though emergencies can sometimes pop up with no prior warning or previous problems, most cases can be avoided. Regular exams and cleanings will help keep you healthy and reveal if there are any potential problems. Having any condition addressed immediately can keep you comfortable and avoid any painful emergencies. Call our office in Stratford, CT today!
Emergency Dentist FAQ
Our expert dentist guides you to better health.
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Can the Emergency Room Pull a Tooth or Should I Seek Urgent Dental Care near Me?
Unless your hospital has an oral surgeon on staff (and most don’t), they will not be able to pull a tooth. Most emergency rooms will assess for infection and provide you with a painkiller and antibiotic if necessary.
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How Long Should a Tooth Extraction Hurt?
Following a tooth extraction, it is normal to feel some discomfort 24-48 hours after your visit. Severe pain, pain not alleviated by pain killers or pain lingering beyond 48 hours may indicate a dry socket or infection. If you experience any of the above symptoms or are worried about any pain you are feeling, a call to your dentist is necessary.
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Can I Drink Water after an Extraction?
It is important to stay hydrated after surgery, so drinking water is allowed and necessary. Room-temperature water is best and you should refrain from using a straw. Suction in the mouth (as with from a straw) can cause a dry socket. A dry socket is not only painful but also requires further treatment by your dentist.
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Can a Broken Tooth Be Saved?
The extent of the break will determine if a tooth can be saved. Generally speaking, if the break is above the gum line, there is a good chance the tooth can be saved. If this is the case, a root canal and/or crown may be necessary to save the tooth. During your examination, we will also discuss with you the porcelain crown cost … Click to open this link in the same window … vs other options, in addition to a root canal or extraction. If there is any break below the gum, the tooth may not be salvageable and require extraction. Teeth that begin with small chips may break further, so it’s best to see your dentist initially to give your teeth the best chance to be fixed.
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What Is Considered a Dental Emergency?
Any situation that involves pain or swelling is a dental emergency. Most dental offices have emergency numbers if the situation happens after hours. Additionally, searching Google for “urgent dental care near me” or emergency rooms may be able to see you to assess the emergency. Facial swelling with or without fever, difficulty swallowing, or lethargy may all be signs of life-threatening emergencies and should be addressed immediately.
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What Is the Best Painkiller for a Tooth Extraction?
If you take any medications, you should discuss with your dentist the best painkiller to take following your extraction. Some health conditions or medications may cause side effects of even over-the-counter painkillers. If you are generally in good health, it’s best to start with an over-the-counter painkiller. A good rule of thumb is to take whatever you would take for a headache. Any pain that cannot be resolved with painkillers or lasts beyond 48 hours should be assessed by your dentist.
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Monday - 9:00am–5:00pm
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Tuesday - 8:00am–5:00pm
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Wednesday - 8:00am–5:00pm
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Thursday - 8:00am–5:00pm
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Friday - 8:00am–5:00pm
