Dental Emergencies in Western Massachusetts

If you have a dental emergency, you're probably in considerable pain whether it's a severe toothache, a cracked or chipped tooth, or a tooth that's been knocked out. When you don't know whom to contact, it adds to an already-stressful situation. If you have a dental emergency, then your first call should be to Baystate Dental and we can help you.

If you're unsure of what constitutes a dental emergency, then the following may help you. Keep in mind that it's always better to consider a situation as an emergency when it isn't than to not treat an emergency because you weren't sure. When you call our Western Massachusetts office, we'll advise you of the steps you should take. You might also want to compile a list of emergency contact numbers so that you're less stressed during your next emergency.

What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any dental issue that needs to be addressed immediately because it can escalate into a considerably more serious situation.

Some dental emergencies are life-threatening, some are not. If, for example, you have a chipped tooth or a loose filling, it's probably not an emergency although it shouldn't be ignored. However, severe bleeding, sudden pressure, or pain that crops up suddenly should be addressed without delay. If you experience sudden pain or pressure, don't ignore it. Call us immediately or call 911.

Calling Emergency Services

The following are instances where you should call 911 immediately:

1. If you're having difficulty breathing or you have severe bleeding
2. If you have experienced severe head trauma or a severe jaw injury
3. You have a head injury and have lost consciousness

 If you're unsure whether you should call emergency services, it's best to err on the side of caution and call them. Sometimes, even a few minutes can make a big difference in the outcome of an emergency situation.

What Should I Do During a Dental Emergency in Western Massachusetts?

If you're having a dental emergency and you're already stressed, proactive planning can alleviate some of your stress. The following steps can help reduce the stress of a dental emergency and improve the prognosis:

1. If you have knocked out a tooth, rinse it well with warm water and then replace it in the socket. If that doesn't work, place it in a container of milk and call our office or 911. We generally see emergency patients the same day they call and when a knocked-out tooth is treated promptly, it can usually be saved.
2. If you have a severe toothache, floss and rinse to remove any food particles. This may alleviate your pain. If it doesn't and the pain persists or worsens, then call our Western Massachusetts office for an appointment.
3. If you have chipped or broken a tooth, rinse your mouth well with water, apply a cold compress to the area, and call our Western Massachusetts office. Let us know if the area is swollen or if you have any bleeding or pressure.
4. If you have an abscessed tooth, call our office immediately since an abscess can be life-threatening. We'll do our utmost to see you the same day you call, but don't ignore an infected or abscessed tooth. Signs of an abscess may include intense pain, fever or chills, nausea, or vomiting.
5.  If you have severe bleeding or uncontrolled bleeding, then call our office without delay.

If you have let your infected tooth develop into an abscess, try to avoid letting the same thing happen again by adopting good oral hygiene routines. The bacteria in an abscess will travel throughout your body to all your organs and can cause death, so it's not just a toothache. We'll treat your abscessed tooth without delay, but the best treatment is always prevention.

Your Appointment

Dental emergencies always require immediate attention, so we offer same-day appointments for true emergencies. Although any type of dental issue can be scary, not all of them are emergencies, such as a minor chip in a tooth or the first observation of a cavity. These issues should be treated promptly, but can usually wait until the following day.

If you have an emergency or think you may have, call our Western Massachusetts office for an appointment. If it's after hours or on a weekend, then go to the local emergency room or call 911. We're a family dental office, so we accept patients of all ages.

We realize that dental emergencies can be scary, but we're professionals at resolving them. The key indicators are the level of pain and the amount of bleeding.

If you're experiencing a dental emergency, call Baystate Dental at , and we can help you. We want to protect your teeth and your health, so we provide some of the best dental treatments in the area, whether on an emergency or routine basis.