We realize that dental emergencies can’t always wait, and we can most likely get you in the same day. As an emergency dentist serving Edison, Metuchen & South Plainfield, NJ, we provide many services and have evening and Saturday hours to accommodate the needs of many patients.
At Gentle Dental Care, we realize that you don’t have to be a hockey player to experience a dental emergency. Don’t ignore injuries to your teeth. Most likely, the situation will only worsen with time, and in some cases, it can require hospitalization if not treated promptly. Located on Oak Tree Road, we are convenient to many adjacent towns, including Metuchen, South Plainfield, Colonia, Iselin, Scotch Plains, and others.
Emergency Dentist Services
- Extractions, including wisdom teeth
- Root canal therapy
- Bonding and crowns to restore broken teeth and repair broken dentures or partial dentures
These are just some of the procedures we perform as an emergency dentist.
How Do I Make an Appointment if I Have a Dental Emergency?
Unlike most dental practices, Gentle Dental Care, LLC has extended hours that can make a real difference if you knock out a tooth or experience another urgent issue. We are open until 9:00 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, and from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Still, like a plumbing issue or a furnace that goes out at 2:15 a.m. during a blizzard, dental emergencies don’t always conform to office hours. At Gentle Dental Care, we usually have an emergency dentist on call. If you have a problem, call us immediately at 732-549-5660, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
This isn’t an idle promise. We take dental emergencies very seriously. In most cases, we are able to see you the same day, or no later than the next day.
What Is Considered a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any dental injury that requires immediate attention. Common dental emergencies include:
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Dental abscesses
- Knocked-out teeth
- Sudden swelling or bleeding related to infection
When Should I Treat Something as a Dental Emergency?
There is no strict checklist that defines a dental emergency. A knocked-out tooth requires immediate care to try to save it. The same is true if you break a tooth while eating, since the exposed area can become infected.
Tooth pain may or may not require emergency treatment. If your gums develop an abscess, it can cause severe pain and should be examined as soon as possible. Other tooth pain may pass. If you are unsure, call us, and we’ll discuss your symptoms.
What Should I Do if I Have a Dental Emergency?
First, remain calm. If the emergency results from a serious injury, determine whether you need medical attention. If not, take these steps:
- Contact your dentist immediately. Explain what happened and that you believe you have a dental emergency.
- If your tooth was knocked out, gently rinse it under cool water and try to place it back in the socket. If that isn’t possible, store it in a cup of milk.
- If you are bleeding, apply pressure with clean gauze or a cloth until you arrive at the dentist.
See What Our Patients Are Saying!
“Dear Dr. Strober and staff at Gentle Dental, thank you for taking care of my tooth emergency the day before my vacation. We’re having a wonderful time in Crested Butte, CO. Best regards,” – Bill T. 9-14-04
To read more patient testimonials, please click here.
Is Emergency Dentistry Covered by Insurance?
Most dental visits, including emergencies, are covered by insurance. Deductibles, annual maximums, and co-pays typically remain the same for urgent visits as they do for routine visits.
It’s always wise to understand your coverage before treatment. Speak directly with your insurance provider or carefully review your benefits package.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Dental Emergencies?
The most common reason for emergency dental visits is severe tooth pain, often caused by an untreated cavity that has infected the surrounding tissue.
Other emergencies include:
- A loose or lost dental crown or filling
- Persistent bleeding after an oral injury
- Persistent swelling after dental treatment
- A chipped or cracked tooth
- A loose or lost tooth
Learn More About What to Do if Faced With These Dental Emergencies:
Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth is definitely an emergency. Whether it happened during a hockey game or a random fall at home doesn’t matter. The good news is that the tooth can usually be saved if the ligament can be kept alive. If you follow the instructions below, your tooth has about a 90 percent chance of survival.
Find the tooth and handle it gently. When a tooth is knocked out, the ligament attached is destroyed. For the tooth to survive, the tooth needs all the tiny nerve fibers to remain attached.
So, pick up the tooth by the crown (the visible portion above the root). Don’t touch the root. Gently wipe off any excess dirt from the tooth and rinse it off in warm water. Rinse your mouth, as well.
Now place the tooth back into the socket, making sure it is in the right direction. If the tooth won’t stay in place, put it in your mouth between your cheek and gums. It may sound odd, but bathing the tooth in saliva will help keep it alive.
If it’s not possible to keep the tooth in your mouth, store it in cold, whole milk. We also have a cell-cultured solution that will help keep the tooth alive for a longer period.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
Our teeth take a ton of force when chewing and biting. When the tooth enamel is damaged, biting on something hard can cause the tooth to crack. Depending upon how deep the crack is, the pulp inside, complete with its nerves and blood vessels, may be exposed, and this can create some serious pain.
Sudden pain when eating, especially if the food is either hot or cold, is a telltale sign you’ve cracked a tooth and the nerves are telling you about it. This is a dental emergency, and we need to see you immediately to not expose the interior of the tooth to possible infection.
If your tooth breaks in half, this is also an emergency. The pulp of the tooth is now exposed and open to bacteria and infection. If infection enters the broken tooth, it will need a root canal or possible extraction if left unattended. Find the piece or pieces of the broken tooth. Rinse the tooth pieces and your mouth with warm water.
You’ll probably have some bleeding, so take a piece of gauze and place it over the spot and gently bite down to create some pressure to stop the bleeding. A cold compress applied to the cheek will help with pain and swelling.
Unlike knocked-out full teeth, broken teeth cannot be put back together. However, we still want to see the tooth piece or pieces, if possible. If the chipped area isn’t that large, we may be able to place a filling or apply dental bonding. A porcelain veneer can mask a chip, as well. For more extensive fractures, placing a crown over the tooth is more likely.
Lost Tooth Fillings or Crowns
A missing filling opens the tooth to invading bacteria. To cover the hole, you can place a piece of sugarless gum into the tooth. Do not use regular gum, as the sugar will cause pain. You can also fill the hole with dental cement that can be found in the dental section of the pharmacy. If there is any pain, you can mitigate it by applying clove oil with a cotton swab to the area with the missing filling.
If a crown comes loose or falls off, find the crown and clean the inside. You can place it back onto the tooth, if possible. This will protect what remains of the natural tooth. Place dental cement on the inside of the crown and put it back on the tooth. If you can’t find dental cement, denture adhesive can be used. Do not use household glues, as they are not safe for your mouth, and they may damage your tooth and the crown.
When we see you, we’ll remove the new decay and place a new filling. If the tooth with the crown has new decay, we’ll need to remove that and prepare the tooth for the crown again. We will likely need to make adjustments to the crown.
Toothache
A toothache can come on suddenly and create quite a distraction, precluding sleep and the ability to focus. If the pain is severe, this qualifies as a dental emergency. Severe pain could be a symptom of an abscess or a tooth needing a root canal.
The first step is to alleviate the immediate pain. Start by thoroughly rinsing your mouth with warm water. The goal is to first make sure your mouth is clean. Floss your teeth gently to remove the lodged food debris that is stuck and putting pressure on your tooth. Over-the-counter pain medication can alleviate the pain. If the pain doesn’t subside, make an appointment to see us.
Objects Between Teeth
When an object becomes lodged between your teeth, this may or may not be an emergency. With small pieces of food, such as popcorn hulls, try using dental floss and the tip of your toothbrush to dislodge the item. You can’t leave pieces of food under the gums, as this will lead to gum irritation and possible infection. A toothpick can also be used to gently move under the gumline and remove the debris. Be careful not to push it deeper, however.
Do not use a pin, knife tip, or other sharp or metal object. These can damage your gums and the enamel on your teeth. If you can’t dislodge the object, call us.
Why Choose Gentle Dental Care?
At Gentle Dental Care in Edison, NJ, emergency treatment is provided by experienced dentists with strong clinical training. Dr. Brad Strober graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and completed his residency in Philadelphia. His research has been published in the Journal of the American Dental Association.
Dr. Cynthia Butcofski earned her degree from New York University College of Dentistry and completed her residency at JFK Medical Center in Edison, where she has served the community for more than 15 years. Together, they bring trusted experience in cosmetic and family dentistry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Visit the ER for My Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies are best treated by a board-certified dentist. Most dental offices offering emergency care have systems in place to respond to urgent situations after hours. Dentists are specifically trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the teeth, gums, tongue, and jaw.
What if My Regular Dentist Is Unavailable?
At Gentle Dental Care, we have multiple dentists on staff to provide care when needed. If you are out of town or our team is unavailable, search for an emergency dentist in your area. After receiving treatment, request that records be sent to your regular dentist for continuity of care.
How to Prepare for a Dental Emergency Visit
When an urgent dental problem occurs, call the dentist immediately. If a crown is lost or a tooth breaks, try to bring the restoration with you. Use clean gauze to control bleeding. For pain, take over-the-counter medication or apply a cold compress to the cheek. Follow any additional instructions provided by your dentist.
How Can I Prevent Dental Emergencies?
While not all emergencies are preventable, you can reduce risk by:
- Brushing and flossing twice daily
- Wearing a mouthguard during sports
- Avoiding chewing ice or hard objects like popcorn kernels or the end of a pen
- Treating cavities promptly
- Scheduling cleanings and exams every six months
What Should I Bring to an Emergency Dental Appointment?
- Identification and insurance card
- List of current medications
- Dental records when visiting a new office
How Can I Manage Pain Until I See the Dentist?
- Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed
- Apply a cold compress in 15-minute intervals
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Use over-the-counter topical anesthetics
- Keep your head elevated to reduce throbbing
How Can I Prevent a Knocked-Out Tooth From Getting Infected?
- Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root
- Rinse gently with water (do not scrub)
- Seek immediate dental care
How Can I Tell if My Tooth Pain Is an Emergency?
- Severe, persistent pain often signals an emergency
- Pain lasting more than a few days should be evaluated
- Swelling, fever, or a bad taste may indicate infection
- Constant pain without triggers may require urgent care
What Should I Do if My Child Has a Dental Emergency?
If your child experiences a dental emergency, remain calm and assess the situation. If there is heavy bleeding, swelling affecting breathing, or a serious facial injury, seek immediate medical care. For most dental injuries, contact your dentist right away and explain what happened so they can guide you on the next steps.
If a baby tooth is knocked out, do not attempt to place it back in the socket. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, gently rinse it without scrubbing and try to place it back in the socket or store it in milk until you can reach the dentist. Quick action greatly improves the chances of preventing complications and preserving your child’s oral health.
Can Emergency Dental Care Save My Tooth, or Will It Need to Be Extracted?
In many cases, emergency dental care can save a tooth. Treatments such as root canal therapy, dental bonding, crowns, or re-cementing a restoration can often restore function and relieve pain. Acting quickly increases the likelihood that the tooth can be preserved.
However, if the tooth is severely damaged, infected beyond repair, or has lost too much structure, extraction may be the safest option. Your dentist will evaluate the condition of the tooth and recommend the most appropriate treatment to protect your long-term oral health.
Get Emergency Dental Care in Edison, NJ
Dental emergencies can happen without warning, and quick treatment can make all the difference. If you are facing a dental emergency in Edison or a nearby town, our team is ready to help. Contact us at 732-549-5660 for prompt, reliable care.
