Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency?: A toothache can have various causes. Sometimes it’s a piece of food or debris that can be removed with dental floss or mouth rinse, but in other cases, there might be an infection in the tooth itself. You should make an emergency appointment with our office if you experience severe pain that lasts more than a day, you feel a sharp pain when biting down, or you have symptoms of a serious infection (i.e., swelling, fever, fatigue).

How you should handle a toothache: Check the area around the tooth to see if there’s any trapped debris. Floss around the area and rinse with lukewarm water. If the pain does not stop, take ibuprofen or another type of pain medication. A cold pack can be used to keep swelling down until your emergency appointment.

How we treat toothaches: We’ll need to conduct an oral examination to determine the best treatment option for your situation. Depending on the underlying cause, we may recommend a filling, dental crown, prescription mouthwash, root canal treatment, or even an extraction.

Learn More About Root Canal Treatment

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Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency?: Not always, but it should still be examined right away so that the extent of the damage is fully understood. Even a small chip can lead to further complications. If left unaddressed, you could experience serious damage or decay in the future.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: Keep the area around the tooth clean and avoid chewing with it. Check for swelling that can be reduced with a cold pack. Apply gauze to any bleeding areas; get in touch with an emergency room if the bleeding does not stop.

How we treat chipped teeth: Keep the area around the tooth clean and avoid chewing with it. Check for swelling that can be reduced with a cold pack. Apply gauze to any bleeding areas; get in touch with an emergency room if the bleeding does not stop.

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Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency?: Yes! If you fail to address a cracked tooth, no matter how minor it is, you are at risk of infection and further damage. Make sure you visit us right away for treatment, especially if you feel pain or sensitivity.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: Rinse your mouth thoroughly to wash away any lingering bacteria. If needed, you can use a cold compress or take over-the-counter pain medication to relieve your discomfort. While you wait to see us, you should avoid eating or chewing on the injured side of your mouth.

How we treat cracked teeth: Most cases of cracked teeth are fixed with custom-made dental crowns. If the damage is minor enough, we might be able to repair it with the same tooth-colored material used for fillings. However, severe cases of damage may need to be extracted.

Learn More About Cosmetic Bonding

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency?: Abnormal dental symptoms, like tooth sensitivity, shouldn’t be ignored, especially since it could be a warning sign of tooth decay or gum disease. So, schedule an appointment with our Wethersfield emergency dentist if the sensation has persisted for more than 24 hours.

How you should handle very sensitive teeth: Until we pinpoint the cause and intervene with the necessary treatment, the only thing you can do is attempt to alleviate and avoid the sensitivity. There are a few proactive measures we recommend to our patients, including not eating anything spicy, not drinking hot or cold beverages, and taking an OTC pain reliever as directed.

How we treat very sensitive teeth: Dental sensitivity could be the result of a wide range of issues, from enamel erosion and a cracked tooth to gum disease. That’s why we will begin your appointment by taking X-rays and conducting an oral exam. Then, we can recommend which treatment we think is best, such as gum disease treatment or a dental crown.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Root Canal Treatment

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is my knocked-out tooth a dental emergency?: Not only is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency, but it’s a dental emergency that requires a same-day appointment with our Wethersfield team. So make calling us a top priority!

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: As we mentioned above, calling our team should be one of the first things you do. Preserving the root of your tooth is also crucial, so (if you are able to locate it) pick it up by the crown and carefully place it in a container of milk or saliva. There is another option as well: placing the tooth back in its socket. However, you should only do so if you don’t need to force it back in place.

How we treat knocked-out teeth: With every dental emergency, our goal is to save your natural teeth. However, that’s not always possible. If you weren’t able to locate the tooth or the tooth isn’t in good condition, then the best choice may be to fill the gap in your smile with a dental bridge or implant.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

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Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency?: For many patients, dental sensitivity and discomfort immediately occur after losing a restoration, which absolutely warrants a same-day appointment with our Wethersfield emergency dentist. However, even if you aren’t in pain, you should schedule a visit with us so we can restore the look and function of your tooth.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: In addition to calling our office to schedule your treatment, we recommend keeping your mouth clean by rinsing periodically with water. You shouldn’t eat anything hard, sticky, or crunchy either. Lastly, if you’re in pain, you can take an OTC pain reliever as instructed until we restore your tooth.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns: Treating a lost dental filling or crown typically involves our team providing you with a new one. However, there are some cases where we can recement your old dental crown back in place instead.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Broken Denture

Is a broken denture a dental emergency?: Broken dentures aren’t always painful or alarming, but they are a huge inconvenience to your life. After all, you rely on them to complete your daily tasks. Wearing broken dentures can cause irritation to your soft tissues. This should be addressed quickly, so reach out to us at your earliest convenience.

How to handle a broken denture: Don’t attempt to repair a broken denture yourself with a kit or household items. You could end up making the damage worse. The better option is to give us a call to explain what’s going on. Then we can give you further instructions.

How we treat broken dentures: The way we address a broken denture depends on how bad the damage is. For small chips and cracks, composite resin may be enough to correct the issue. If there’s more severe damage, you might need to be fitted with a new denture. This is also a great time to consider other tooth replacement options, like dental implants.

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Loose Permanent Tooth

Are loose permanent teeth a dental emergency?: Yes! This means that your tooth is at risk of falling out. You should give us a call right away and come to the dental office.

How you should handle a loose permanent tooth: As soon as you notice that your tooth is wiggly, give us a call and schedule a visit. Until you see us, don’t chew on the side of your mouth with the loose tooth, and try not to touch it with your tongue or fingers.

How we treat loose permanent teeth: We will do everything we can to save your tooth. However, if we are unable to save it, we can discuss different tooth replacement options that are available, like dental implants.

Learn More About Dental Implants

Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency?: An injury to your cheek, lips, or tongue can be alarming because the area can bleed a lot. If you are concerned about a wound in or around your mouth, give us a call to let us know what’s going on. We will give you further instructions from there.

How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: First, rinse the area to wash away any dirt or debris. Then use a clean washcloth or gauze to apply pressure to the area until the bleeding stops. If the area is inflamed or painful, an ice pack can help.

How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: If the cut to your mouth is small, we may be able to help by stitching the area. If the wound is large or the bleeding won’t stop, you should head to the emergency room. We can examine your smile after you have been discharged.

Jaw Pain

Is jaw pain a dental emergency?: Most of the time, jaw pain isn’t a dental emergency. However, it can be painful. If your discomfort is chronic, let us know so we can begin taking steps to make your jaw more comfortable.

How you should handle jaw pain: In the majority of cases, over-the-counter pain relievers and ice packs are enough to ease the pain. However, if you think your jaw has been broken or dislocated, you should head to the emergency room. We can take a look at your smile after you have been discharged.

How we treat jaw pain: This will depend on your situation. For some, a custom nightguard for bruxism and TMJ disorder could help. If your wisdom teeth are the problem, we can work with you to have those extracted.

Learn More About Nightguards for Bruxism

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Don’t use pointy objects, like toothpicks or tweezers, to try to get the item out. This could push the object further between your teeth or beneath the gumline. Instead, use dental floss to try to get it out. Then, rinse your mouth with water. If you are still struggling to remove the item, give us a call. We can give you further instructions from there.

Emergency Dentist Wethersfield

Fast & Effective Relief from Dental Emergencies

Dr. Dolan and Dr. Gionfriddo

At Dolan Dental Group, 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 slight discomfort in the mouth has suddenly blossomed into severe, ongoing pain. Whatever your situation is, Dr. Brendan Dolan and Dr. Riley Gionfriddo have one important goal: to provide fast, effective relief! That’s why our team treats urgent cases as soon as we possibly can. Don’t hesitate to give our Wethersfield, CT office a call today to schedule an emergency dentistry appointment. We also welcome patients from Rocky Hill, CT, and other surrounding areas!

Why Choose Dolan Dental Group for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day Emergency Appointments
  • Compassionate Team of Dentists
  • Dental Sedation Available

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Wethersfield dentist Dr. Dolan standing and smiling
  • Call Our Team: The first step you should always take during a dental emergency is to call our team so we can schedule your appointment as soon as possible. We try to see patients in pain the same day they call.
  • First Aid Guidance: We’ll provide you with over-the-phone first aid guidance to minimize any additional damage to your smile.
  • Emergency Examination & Pain Relief: As soon as you arrive, we’ll examine your teeth and gums and collect any necessary diagnostic imaging to diagnose the issue at hand. We’ll also provide you with sedation or medication to help ease your pain.
  • Treatment Plan Review: Once we’ve diagnosed the problem, we’ll go over our treatment plan with you, along with a detailed cost estimate.
  • Get Your Smile’s Health Back on Track: As soon as you agree to move forward with our proposed treatment plan, we’ll get to work restoring the health of your smile.

The Most 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. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common dental emergencies that we treat. However, even if you don’t see your exact situation listed, we recommend calling us if you’re experiencing out-of-the-ordinary symptoms or oral discomfort.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies

Patient sitting in chair and talking to dentist

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!

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Senior woman checking smile in mirror

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:

  • 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.

Emergency Dentistry FAQs

Will my toothache go away on its own?

Toothaches don’t generally go away on their own. Because of this, it’s best to schedule a checkup with your dentist to ensure that nothing is wrong. There are many potential causes for a toothache, and you’ll want to rule them out with a professional as soon as possible. Doing this can help you to catch underlying issues before they become more serious.

Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?

Unfortunately, most emergency rooms aren’t able to address dental emergencies effectively. However, there are a few main exceptions where the ER is a better option. You should head to the ER if you have experienced a jaw fracture or dislocation, a serious cut or laceration to the face or mouth, or an abscess or infection that’s swollen to the point of affecting breathing or swallowing. In pretty much all other circumstances, you should visit a dentist first.

Do I need to visit for minorly chipped teeth?

Teeth are unable to heal on their own when they are chipped, fractured, or otherwise broken. This means the tooth will only become damaged further if you don’t seek treatment. Depending on how severe the break is, there are several different possible solutions. It is especially important to head to the dental office if the chipped tooth is sharp or jagged, as it could cut your gums or oral tissue.

Are toothpicks safe to use?

Toothpicks, particularly wooden ones, are not the safest option out there. When you use them, it is easy to damage your enamel and gum tissue. Also, wooden toothpicks can splinter in the mouth. It is even possible to push food debris further between the tooth or under the gum line, therefore causing issues. Toothpicks should thus only be used as a last resort.