Helping Patients Find Weekend Emergency Dentists near Boston, MA

What Is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is a serious oral issue that could potentially be life-threatening if not treated in a timely manner. If there is consistent bleeding that will not stop, a bad infection, or intense tooth pain, these are potential dental emergencies. These problems require seeking treatment as soon as possible.

Other issues that may constitute a dental emergency include:

• Bleeding that cannot be controlled due to an accident or blow to the face, or some other unknown health condition
• An infection in the soft tissue which can cause difficulty breathing due to swelling
• A blow to the face that results in damage to the bones in the face, potentially causing difficulty breathing
• Intense pain in the teeth due to decay
• Wisdom teeth pain
• Abscesses or inflammation from an infection
• Fractured, chipped, broken teeth or fillings that have fallen out
• A loosened or dislodged tooth
• Pain after oral surgery

Oral Problems That Are Likely, Not Dental Emergencies

While there are many situations that are considered a dental emergency, there are similar symptoms that are not dental emergencies. It can be difficult to tell the difference. Overall, it is generally safe to say that you are not experiencing a dental emergency if you have any of the following symptoms:

• A dull toothache
• Objects stuck in the teeth
• A small chip in a tooth
• A small cut in the lip or mouth

Even though these things may not be considered a dental emergency, it is still important to keep an eye on these issues. A small issue can develop into an emergency quickly if it is not handled well or if there are more serious underlying issues that you may not be aware of.

How to Handle Dental Emergencies

Particular oral issues are more commonly experienced, but that doesn’t make them any less frightening to experience. If you suddenly have these common dental emergencies, here are some steps on how to handle them before going to seek treatment:

Tooth Pain

Not all tooth pain requires emergency dental care, but serious tooth pain may be cause for concern as there could be underlying health issues causing the problem. There are several causes for toothaches, such as decay, infection, disease of the gums, or foreign objects lodged in between the teeth.

You may try handling a toothache by gently flossing to remove things from between teeth that could be the source of the pain. Rinsing with warm salt water, take a pain reliever, or place a cold compress on your face if there is swelling. Until you can find a weekend dentist who can treat your dental emergency, these steps can help to alleviate your pain temporarily.

Trauma to the Teeth

Tooth trauma involves losing a tooth. The tooth may be chipped, cracked, or broken due to an accident.

If a permanent tooth is knocked out, make sure that you find the tooth, handling it by the crown if possible. Do not wash the tooth or put it in water; instead, place it back inside your mouth in its proper socket. If this is not possible, keep the tooth moist by putting it in either milk, saliva, or a solution that is designed to preserve a tooth in an emergency. Seeing an emergency dentist is essential to putting the tooth back in place within thirty minutes if possible.

If the tooth that is knocked out is a child’s baby tooth, do not try to put it back in its socket, as that could create a problem with the adult tooth underneath.

Chipped or Broken Teeth

Chipped or broken teeth are not always a dental emergency, but if not treated quickly, infection can set in. A quick repair can also save the tooth from further damage or decay. If you have a chipped or broken tooth, rinse your mouth and check your tooth to see how bad the damage is and if the tooth has sharp edges.

Gather the broken pieces of the tooth, if possible. If the tooth has been chipped or broken due to being hit, use an ice pack. Take the broken pieces of the tooth to an emergency dentist as soon as possible for treatment.

Cut on the Tongue, Cheek, or Lip

If you discover that your tongue, cheek, or lip has been cut, you may worry about the amount of blood. Keep in mind that there are many blood vessels in those areas, so although there may be more blood than you expected, it may not necessarily mean that you have a dental emergency. It is still important to take care of the injury. If there is a deep cut, or if you discover a punctured spot, immediately seek emergency dental treatment, as these injuries can be serious.

You can wash the area carefully, then place firm pressure on the area to help stop the bleeding. You may even rinse your mouth with salt water or hydrogen peroxide to keep the injury clean and free of infection. If the bleeding does not stop, you will need to seek emergency oral treatment.

Why It’s Important To Go to an Emergency Dentist Instead of the Emergency Room

The medical staff in the emergency room is well-trained to handle almost any kind of injury. However, they are not extremely experienced in dental emergency care. They can help stop consistent bleeding, but they cannot repair a tooth that has been damaged.

A dentist, of course, is well-trained in oral emergency care and can better assess the problem, diagnose the root cause, and take the next steps to treat the problem. Keep in mind that even if you do go to the emergency room due to a dental emergency, you will likely be told to follow up with a dentist.

What To Expect From an Emergency Visit With a Weekend Dentist in Boston, MA

Emergency visits are similar to regularly scheduled appointments in many ways. The main difference in emergency visits is that they are more urgent, and you will be seen quickly by the dentist.

Once you are at the dentist’s, they will probably look inside your mouth to determine what the issue is. They will ask about the problems you had leading up to the oral issue and what kind of pain you are experiencing. You may have to have an X-ray done to help assess the underlying cause. Afterward, the dentist will decide the wisest treatment to use in the current situation.

Sometimes, even after a dentist assesses the problem, they may not see the underlying problem immediately as the cause may not reveal itself until later. When this happens, the dentist can offer a temporary solution until you can visit a dentist’s office on a weekday. Rest assured that the dentist will do all they can to treat your pain, even if they are not aware of the cause of the pain. Serious oral issues will need treatment on the same day.

When You Need To Visit an Emergency Dentist in Boston, MA

There are several dental issues that need attention from a dentist as soon as possible. Some of these emergencies that require immediate attention are listed below:

After having a cavity filled: If you have had a cavity filled and notice big changes after the anesthesia has worn off, then it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible. Complications could have come up after the procedure.

A tooth has been broken: A broken tooth can cause issues if there are sharp edges and can cause further oral problems, such as infection, if not treated right away.

Root canals: Sometimes, root canals are needed in order to treat serious tooth decay or infection. Emergency root canals are sometimes necessary over the weekend. If complications arise after having this procedure, you will need to follow up with an emergency dentist to make sure that no further complications have occurred.

Wisdom teeth: Usually, wisdom teeth removal is scheduled with a dentist, but if you are experiencing severe pain in your wisdom teeth over the weekend, then you may need to visit an emergency dentist.

Swollen gums: Swollen gums can signify a serious issue, such as an infection or gum disease. Don’t wait to seek dental treatment for swollen gums, as it could lead to further medical issues.

Will It Cost More To Have Emergency Dental Work Done?

Whenever emergency services are used, the cost may be higher due to the fact that these services must be easily and quickly accessible. If you need emergency dental work done on the weekend, you will likely have to pay more than if you were to go to the dentist during the week. Keep in mind that though the cost may be higher, it is worth the money to prevent further damage to your teeth.

Dental emergency work done on the weekend can cost more, especially if specialized treatment is needed. More equipment and procedures may be needed to treat these problems. An urgent need for an emergency visit is another cause for higher pricing of dental services. Visiting a dentist that is open on weekends can cost more because they offer accessible hours.

Although an emergency dental visit is expensive, you will probably have the option to pay your bill in monthly installments. Most dentists are aware that individuals don’t have the money to pay off the bill all at once and offer payment plans to their clients. If you need emergency dental care, don’t let the cost keep you from getting the treatment you need.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

Oral injuries are usually unavoidable, even when you try to prevent them. But there are steps you can take to make dental emergencies less likely to happen. When playing a sport, be sure to wear proper gear. Whenever you are in the car, make sure to wear your seatbelt. In your home, keep it clean and clear of excessive clutter to prevent falls.

Practicing good oral hygiene is also important to keeping your mouth as healthy as possible. Also, don’t use your teeth to open things, and don’t eat food that is hard. If you have a weekend dental emergency, seek treatment from an emergency dentist.

How I Can Find a Dentist Near Me Open on a Saturday or Sunday

Experiencing tooth pain over the weekend is uncomfortable and can also be unbearable if the pain is severe enough. In addition to suffering from severe pain, having to find an emergency dentist near you who is open on weekends is stressful. Emergency Dental Service representatives can help you find a dentist who is near you, is open on weekends, and offers the emergency services that you need.

Getting an Appointment With a Weekend Dentist in Boston, MA

When you contact a representative with Emergency Dental Service, you can not only find a weekend dentist in Boston, MA, but you can also get an appointment with one that offers emergency services.

The Emergency Dental Service team can assist you in finding a weekend emergency dentist that is right for you. Use the online listing to book an appointment to receive the immediate care that you need during any time of the week. You may also contact one of our representatives by phone at 1-833-624-1382.