Emergency Dentistry – Columbus, NJ
Expert Smile Care Right When You Need It
When you or a family member have a hurting, broken, or knocked-out tooth, the last thing you want to do is waste valuable time sitting in a waiting room. That’s exactly what will happen if you visit the ER. If you ever need urgent dental care, your best bet is always to call Columbus Dental Arts. Dr. Maria Maiorino has the experience, training, and technology to be able to expertly handle all sorts of dental emergencies – much more quickly and effectively than the ER can. We’ll even try to schedule an appointment for you on the same day that you call us, so you can get out of pain and back to smiling thanks to emergency dentistry in Columbus, NJ!
Why Choose Columbus Dental Arts for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Dental Appointments Available
- Patients of All Ages Welcome
-
Dentist with 30+
Years' Experience
How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies
Whether you have a sudden accident that injures your smile or a toothache that developed seemingly out of nowhere, we encourage you to call our dental office as soon as you can. We’ll ask you questions about your situation, determine how soon you need to come in, and schedule an appointment at the appropriate time. Until then, here are some tips for managing common dental emergencies:
Toothaches
Try flossing around the hurting tooth to dislodge any trapped food debris that may be causing your pain. If that doesn’t work, then taking an over-the-counter pain reliever and applying a cold compress in ten-minute intervals can also help. Just don’t put aspirin or other pain medications directly on the gums, as this could worsen your discomfort by irritating the gums.
Chipped/Broken Tooth
After rinsing your mouth with warm water, apply a clean cloth or gauze pad to the area to curb bleeding. A cold compress can reduce swelling and pain. Recover any pieces of the tooth that you can and bring them to our dental office. If the remaining tooth has a sharp edge that could irritate the soft tissues in your mouth, place a piece of sugar-free chewing gum or orthodontic wax over it.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Locate the tooth and rinse it off with warm water, but do NOT dry it. Try to place it back into its socket and keep it there by gently biting down. If you can’t, then store the tooth either in your cheek pocket or a container of milk. It’s critical that you act quickly when you have a knocked-out tooth, as we only have about an hour after the incident before it becomes unlikely that we can replant it.
Lost Filling/Crown
Gently rinse any debris off of your restoration. Until your appointment, you can temporarily place the crown or filling back onto your tooth with a dab of toothpaste or petroleum jelly. However, you’ll need to visit us within a few days for a more permanent reattachment. Otherwise, the tooth could become susceptible to sensitivity and damage.
Head/Neck/Jaw Pain
Pain in your jaw, neck, or head could point to a problem with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which allows your mouth to open, close, and move side to side. We can often treat TMJ disorder by relieving pressure on that joint, but until then, take OTC pain relievers as needed and apply a cold compress to the outside of your jaw a few times a day.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
Not all dental emergencies can be avoided, but you can significantly reduce your risk by:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste.
- Flossing at least once daily, ideally right before bed.
- Visiting our dental office every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning.
- Wearing a mouthguard if you play sports or clench and grind your teeth at night.
- Avoiding tobacco.
- Not using your teeth as tools to open packaging or bottles.
The Cost of Dental Emergencies
Because no two patients, and no two dental emergencies, are exactly alike, there is no set price for emergency dental care. When you come to see us with an urgent dental problem, our top priority will be to get you out of pain before determining which course of treatment would be best. We’ll make sure to review your options as well as pricing information before moving forward with any procedures. Our team members can also look over your insurance plan and discuss other payment options to make your care affordable.
Root Canals
Often, an intense pain in one particular tooth indicates an infection within the tooth that, if left untreated, could cause the tooth to die. The infection could also spread to surrounding teeth and even other parts of your body. To preserve your natural tooth as well as your overall health, we can use root canal therapy to remove the diseased tissue inside of the tooth. Despite the rumors you may have heard, root canals are nothing to fear; with today’s anesthetic techniques, they’re no more uncomfortable than getting a cavity filled.
Learn More About Root Canal Therapy
Tooth Extractions
At Columbus Dental Arts, we do everything we can to save your natural teeth whenever possible. However, sometimes the damage to a tooth is so great that it cannot be salvaged, and removing it would be the wisest option for your oral health. In these situations, Dr. Maiorino will make sure your procedure is as painless as possible. After you’ve healed, we can discuss options for replacing your tooth and giving you a complete smile.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Dental emergencies often come unexpected, so it is completely understandable that you have some unanswered questions. It can be difficult to know what to expect when you are experiencing lots of discomfort and uncertainty, so we’re here to help! Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about dental emergencies in Columbus. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, don’t worry! Give us a call and we’d be happy to help you navigate your situation.
Will my toothache go away on its own?
Toothaches don’t typically go away on their own. Because of this, it is best to schedule a checkup with a dentist to make sure nothing serious is going on. There are all sorts of potential causes for a toothache, so you’ll want to rule them out with a professional as soon as possible. Doing this can help you to catch underlying problems before they become more serious.
How should I sleep with tooth pain?
It can be difficult to get quality sleep when you’re dealing with a toothache. Until you’re able to see a dentist in the morning, keep your head elevated. This will prevent blood from rushing to your head and intensifying your toothache. Additionally, take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed and avoid foods that are acidic, cold, or hard before bed. A cold compress may also be able to help numb some of the discomfort.
Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?
Most emergency rooms aren’t able to address dental emergencies effectively, but there are a few main exceptions to this. You should head directly to the ER if you have experienced a jaw fracture or dislocation, serious cut or laceration to the face or mouth, or an abscess or infection that is swollen to the point of affecting your breathing or swallowing. In pretty much any other circumstance, you should visit the dental office first. We offer same-day dental appointments for patients experiencing dental emergencies.
Should knocked-out teeth be placed in water?
Water can be used to rinse a tooth that’s been knocked out, but the tooth should not be placed in water. This is because water can damage the root surface cells of teeth, reducing the chances of it being able to be placed back in the socket. Instead, you should do your best to place it back in the open socket yourself before heading to the dental office. If you are unable to do so, you can place it in milk, saliva, or saline solution while you seek treatment.