Emergency Dentist — Woodbridge, CT

Toothaches

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency?

A toothache in Woodbridge is not a dental problem; it is a symptom of a dental problem. The pain can have many causes, ranging from the minor to the severe. Here are some signs that your toothache requires immediate care:

• The pain is interfering with your ability to carry out your normal routine.
• A tooth is darker than the ones around it.
• There is visible damage to a tooth.
• There is a bump on the gums that resembles a pimple.

How You Should Handle a Toothache

Rinse your mouth with warm water, and use floss to remove anything that might be lodged around your tooth. You can take painkillers, but do not place aspirin directly on your teeth or gums. If there is a pimple-like bump on your gums, do not try to pop it.

How We Treat Toothaches

First, your emergency dentist in Woodbridge will examine your tooth to determine the cause of your pain. Then, we will recommend a treatment. You might need something as simple as a filling or prescription mouthwash. Or, you could require gum disease therapy, root canal therapy, or another restorative treatment. In cases of very severe damage, extraction is necessary.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Chipped Tooth

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?

In most cases, a chipped tooth is not an urgent emergency. However, the damage to the tooth could easily worsen, and its jagged edges might irritate the soft tissues in your mouth. You should try to see your dentist as soon as you reasonably can.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth

Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. If there is swelling, a cold compress can minimize it. If the tooth’s rough edges are bothering you, you can place some sugar-free gum over them.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth

In most cases, we can repair a chip with dental bonding. The procedure is quick and relatively affordable. It also yields aesthetically pleasing results. However, it tends to last for just a few years. If you are interested in a more durable solution, we may recommend that you invest in a veneer instead.

Learn More About Dental Bonding

Learn More About Veneers

Cracked Tooth

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Whether or not a cracked tooth in Woodbridge is a dental emergency depends on the severity of the damage. Keep in mind that not all cracks are visible; they can occur beneath the gumline or between the teeth. Anytime you suspect a tooth is damaged, you should contact your dentist.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth

Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area, and use a cold compress to manage swelling. Try to avoid chewing with the tooth, and take painkillers if necessary.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth

In some cases, we are able to fill in a crack with tooth-colored resin (dental bonding) to prevent the damage from getting worse and protect the tooth’s interior layers. However, if the damage is severe, you might need a crown to hold the tooth together. If we determine that a restoration would not be able to save your tooth, we will recommend extraction as the best course of action.

Learn More About Dental Bonding

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency?

Dental sensitivity can have a range of causes, some of which are nothing to be worried about. Other causes, however, are quite serious and require the attention of an emergency dentist in Woodbridge.

How You Should Handle Sensitive Teeth

Give us a call and describe your situation. We might advise you to come in for an emergency appointment, or we may give you tips for at-home care until it is more convenient for you to visit us. Avoiding spicy and hot foods, taking pain relievers, and maintaining a clean mouth may help to keep your discomfort to a minimum.

How We Treat Tooth Sensitivity

After we examine your mouth, we will be able to recommend a treatment. You might need something simple, like desensitizing toothpaste, topical fluoride, or a prescription mouthwash. However, you might also need a procedure like root canal therapy, a filling, or gum disease treatment.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is a Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A lost tooth in Woodbridge is one of the most urgent dental emergencies! To have the best possible chance of saving the tooth, you should receive care within an hour or so of it getting knocked out of your mouth.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth

Touching the tooth only by its top part (the crown), gently rinse off any debris. Then, attempt to place it back in its socket or tuck it between your gums and cheek. If neither of those things are possible, store it in a glass of milk or use a tooth preservation kit with the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance. The key is to keep the tooth moist. However, it should not be stored in plain water or any acidic beverages because they could damage it.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth

If the tooth is still viable, we might be able to splint it back into place; over time, your body should reintegrate it. If replanting the tooth is not possible, we will treat the damage to your mouth and talk to you about your tooth replacement options. You might qualify for a traditional bridge, a dental implant, or dentures.

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency?

A lost filling or lost dental crown in Woodbridge is not a particularly urgent emergency. However, your exposed tooth will be extra-vulnerable to damage as long as it is without its restoration. You should schedule an appointment as soon as you can.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown

In some cases, it is possible to reattach a lost crown with a dab of toothpaste or dental cement. If your restoration does not want to fit, do not try to force it. Avoid chewing with the tooth if possible, and be sure to keep the area clean.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns

We might be able to permanently recement a crown into place. However, if it is damaged or the tooth’s condition has changed since you first received it, we may have to design an entirely new restoration.

Broken Denture

Loose Permanent Tooth

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Jaw Pain

Something Stuck Between the Teeth