As Shakespeare so eloquently stated, no one is patient when it comes to having a toothache. That’s why Dr. Emilie Miller, DMD, and her team of highly trained dental professionals at Super Smiles of Burlington, Massachusetts, will make every effort to see you when you have a dental emergency. Dr. Miller and her team know from more than 10 years of experience serving the greater Middlesex County area, that when you have a dental emergency, you need it taken care of as soon as possible. If you currently have a dental emergency, please call us at 781-272-1288 to schedule a time for Dr. Miller to examine you.
If it’s currently outside of our normal office hours and you believe you may have a severely abscessed or infected tooth, which can be life threatening, please seek emergency medical attention at your local urgent care facility. Additionally, if you’re experiencing any other type of medical emergency, please call 911 immediately.
When is it a Dental Emergency?
There are several situations and issues that can constitute a dental emergency. Knowing the difference between discomfort and an emergency will help you and the staff at Super Smiles determine how soon you need to be treated. If you’re uncertain you’re experiencing a dental emergency, ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I in severe pain?
- Is my mouth bleeding?
- Is my face or mouth swollen?
- Do I have any loose teeth?
- Have I suffered an injury to my face or mouth?
- Does it hurt when I bite down?
- Do my gums have any bulges, swelling or knots?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, please call us immediately at 781-272-1288 to find a time for Dr. Miller to examine you.
Dental Non-Emergencies
The following are examples of issues that are not considered emergencies but should be taken care of soon:
- A temporary crown coming off
- Smoothing a chipped tooth
- A crown has come off but isn’t causing pain
- Composite resin bonding has come off but isn’t causing pain
- Examples of Dental Emergencies and What to Do
- Loose Tooth or Teeth
If your tooth is loose or out of alignment, carefully try to put it back in place using light pressure. You can also keep it in place by lightly biting down to hold it in place. After you’ve assessed the situation, call us to schedule a time to examine your loose tooth.
Knocked Out Tooth
If your tooth has been knocked out, please follow these steps to ensure your tooth can be saved:
Pick up your tooth by the part you normally see and avoid touching the roots. Gently rinse off your tooth, being careful not to let it go down the drain. Try to put the tooth back in back in its socket by putting it in place and gently biting down. If your tooth won’t go back into its socket, place it in a small container with milk if it’s available.
Call us immediately after you’ve preserved your tooth as best as possible and start heading to us. The longer your tooth is out of socket the less chance there is of saving it.
Cracked or Fractured Tooth
If your tooth is cracked or fractured, there’s a good chance that its interior is also damaged and needs immediate attention. Call us to schedule a time to examine you at once and then follow these instructions:
Rinse your mouth out gently, but thoroughly, with warm water. If your tooth was fractured due to an injury like getting hit in the face, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Take acetaminophen, and not aspirin or ibuprofen, according to directions for use on the package for any pain. DO NOT apply a topical painkiller, like Orajel, to the area, as it can burn the gum tissue.
Tissue Injuries
If you’ve suffered a tissue injury like a cut or puncture wound to your mouth it’s considered a dental emergency and you should seek emergency medical attention at your local hospital’s emergency department.
Convenient, Compassionate Emergency Dental Care
If you have a dental emergency, please call us at 781-272-1288 immediately to have Dr. Miller examine you. Dr. Miller and her team will work quickly to alleviate your pain and treat your emergency with the greatest of care.
