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Emergency Dentist — Fanwood, NJ

Fast Relief for Urgent Dental Pain

When you’ve broken one of your teeth or your child is complaining of a terrible toothache, the absolute last thing you want to do is spend time searching for an emergency dentist. Instead, a little preparation can help you get the fast and professional care you need as quickly as possible. Should you or a loved one ever need fast relief for dental pain, be sure to call Scotch Plains Fanwood Dental Care. Our dentists have years of emergency experience, and our dental office is happy to schedule same-day appointments so hurting patients are able to get the relief they need without having to wait.

Why Choose Scotch Plains Fanwood Dental Care for Emergency Dental Care?

  • Skilled Team Who Can Treat Any Dental Emergency In-House
  • Same-Day Appointments for Emergency Patients
  • Happy to Accept All PPO Dental Insurance Plans

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Pained man needs to visit his emergency dentist

  • Step 1: Call us right away to schedule a same-day emergency appointment.
  • Step 2: Describe your situation to us so we can give you personalized first-aid instructions.
  • Step 3: Come visit us for an appointment.
  • Step 4: Review your dentist’s findings as well as your treatment options and make a plan.
  • Step 5: Get the fast, professional emergency dental care you need right away.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies tend to come in one of two unpleasant varieties. There are those that occur in an instant, like with a broken or knocked out tooth due to an accident, and those that take months to develop, such as with a severe toothache. In either scenario, seeking out professional care as quickly as possible is the best way to minimize pain as well as any damage to the smile. There are a few things you can do on your own, however, to help take control of a situation before you’re able to reach our office:

Understanding the Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies

Patient learning about the cost of dental emergencies

Worries about cost should never keep you from giving us a call in the midst of a dental emergency! While waiting will often make the situation worse (and more expensive), contacting us right away will help keep the cost of emergency dental care as low as possible. It’s impossible to know for sure how much your dental emergency will cost until you come see us for a consultation, but you’ll be pleased to hear that emergency exams themselves are relatively inexpensive. To help make emergency care more affordable, we accept all PPO dental insurance plans, offer flexible financing, and we even have our own in-house dental savings plan. Read on to learn more about the cost of dental emergencies.

Every Dental Emergency Is Different

Dentist and patient discussing the cost of dental emergencies

Every dental emergency is different, so the cost of urgent dental care is never the same from patient to patient. One person might just need a filling to fix a small cavity, while another may require multiple teeth to be removed and replaced. Our goal with every emergency patient is to get them out of pain as quickly as possible before repairing any damage to the smile. This way, you’ll have a clear head while we review your treatment options and help you create a custom care plan. You will always know an estimated price before we begin any treatment.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Woman looking over dental insurance coverage for dental emergencies

If you have dental insurance, you can typically count on it to provide some assistance in paying for your emergency dental care. While every policy is slightly different, the majority of plans will cover at least one emergency exam a year. Additionally, basic treatments and common restorations that are most often used to address dental emergencies are usually 50-80% covered by dental insurance. Our knowledgeable team will be happy to review the details of your plan to help you navigate your coverage and will do everything they can to ensure your benefits are being maximized.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Receptionist discussing special offers for dental care

If you are uninsured, we have other options for helping make emergency dental care more affordable. Depending on your unique situation, you may be interested in:

  • Our In-House Dental Plan: With one flat yearly fee, you can enroll in our In-House Dental Plan for special discounts on treatments in our office. You’ll enjoy full coverage for basic preventive care that will help you prevent dental emergencies and considerable discounts on most services used to treat them. All of this without any deductibles, maximums, waiting periods, or confusing terminology.
  • Limited Time Special Offers: With a rotating menu of special offers, we’re happy to help make your care as affordable as possible. Our offers include new patient specials, senior citizen discounts, and more, just visit our website or give us a call to find out more!

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Piggy bank and coins represent saving money on emergency dental care

Of course, the best way to save money on emergency dental care is to avoid needing it entirely! As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this especially rings true for oral healthcare. Should you notice any concerning symptoms or signs of a dental emergency, getting in touch with us right away will save you money than if you take a wait and see approach.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Healthy woman smiling at her emergency dentist

Looking for ways to prevent dental emergencies? You’re not alone. Many individuals prefer to avoid visiting the emergency dental office if at all possible but knowing what you should do is essential. Whether it is improving your oral hygiene routine, keeping (not canceling) your dental checkups and cleanings, or wearing proper mouth protection while engaging in various sports, you can take charge and safeguard your smile year-round. Below are some helpful tips our team members are pleased to share:

Keep Your Regular Dental Appointments

Man visiting dentist

Your dentist is one of your greatest allies in the fight against tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Allowing any of these to remain unchecked or untreated can lead to serious infections and irreversible damage. By keeping your six-month dental checkups and cleanings, you will allow our team to identify problems early on and help you maintain optimal oral health. We’ll not only carefully examine your oral cavity, but we’ll also remove any hardened plaque and tartar while ensuring any restorations are in tip-top shape.

Keep Brushing and Flossing

Woman brushing teeth

Just as important as regular dental checkups are proper at-home oral hygiene habits. Brushing twice a day for two minutes, using fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash is necessary if you want to prevent decay, disease, and severe infections. No one wants to learn they need a dental crown, root canal, or tooth extraction. You can reduce your risk for these restorative procedures by staying on top of your dental health in between your appointments.

Be Mindful What You Eat

Woman eating salad

Believe it or not, the foods you consume can land you in the emergency dental office. Too much sugar and starch are known to produce cavity-causing bacteria that result in harmful acids breaking down your tooth enamel. Try incorporating healthier options that will work to improve your gum health, strengthen your pearly whites, and reduce your risk for diabetes and other health-related conditions. Because your mouth and body are closely connected, it’s important to be mindful of what you’re choosing to consume each day.

Wear a Mouthguard to Protect Your Teeth

Customized mouthguard

A customized mouthguard is a great investment. Whether you enjoy playing sports, going for a run, or tend to grind your teeth at night because of stress at work, these unique appliances will safeguard your teeth and soft oral tissues from serious damage. A forceful hit or excessive pressure can lead to mouth injuries that require the help of a trusted emergency dentist. Cracked, chipped, broken, or even knocked-out teeth need immediate restorative treatment, which can be costly and timely. However, with a custom mouthguard, you can lower your chances of serious injury and instead, feel confident that your smile is properly protected.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

Woman smiling

When you’re eager to open a package you received in the mail, you may not prefer to spend time looking for a pair of scissors. Instead, you may choose to use your teeth to tear it open and see what is inside. While this process may be quicker, it’s certainly not better for your oral health. This unhealthy choice can prolong your excitement if you suffer a soft tissue laceration or a chipped or broken tooth. It’s better to take a few extra minutes to find the right tool for the job while leaving your pearly whites fully intact.

Dental Emergency FAQs

Healthy woman smiling at her emergency dentist

Dental emergencies never seem to happen at a convenient time, so it is perfectly understandable that you have some unanswered questions. Here are the answers to some of the most common queries we receive about dental emergencies. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, don’t worry! Give us a call , and our team would be happy to answer your questions and schedule you for a visit as soon as possible.

Will my toothache go away on its own?

No, toothaches don’t generally go away on their own. Because of this, it is best to schedule a checkup with a dentist to ensure that nothing serious is going on. There are all sorts of potential causes for toothaches, and 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 severe.

How should I sleep with tooth pain?

When dealing with a toothache at night, it can be difficult to get some quality sleep until you’re able to see your dentist in the morning. Try laying down with your head elevated. This will keep blood from rushing to your head and intensifying your toothache. Take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed and avoid foods that are particularly acidic, cold, or hard before bed for improved comfort.  A cold compress can also help to dull some of the discomfort.

Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?

Most emergency rooms are unable to address dental emergencies effectively. However, there are three main exceptions. If you think that you have dislocated or fractured your jaw, have an abscess or infection that is swollen to the point of affecting your breathing or swallowing, or have a serious cut or laceration to the face, you should seek help from the emergency room. In virtually all other circumstances, you should visit a dentist first.

Can I pop a dental abscess on my own?

You should never attempt to pop a dental abscess on your own. Instead, always get in touch with a dentist as soon as you can, as an abscess is considered a dental emergency. Popping it will only expose your mouth to more bacteria and irritate the area more. Additionally, putting off treatment can allow the infection to spread within the mouth and to other areas of the body, therefore causing much more serious issues.

More to Explore

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Toothaches

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency?: There are different kinds of toothaches. Most of them are caused by decay and need to be treated as soon as possible. A toothache is considered an emergency if it’s severe, lasts more than a day, causes a sharp pain when you bite down on something, is associated with tooth sensitivity that lasts longer than 30 seconds, is accompanied by a small bump on the gums, or is followed by other signs of an infection, such as oral swelling. When in doubt, it’s best to call our office so that we can narrow down the source of the pain right away.

How You Should Handle a Toothache: Floss around the tooth to see if there’s any food debris stuck between your teeth; you might be able to stop the pain by removing it. If the pain is indeed caused by decay or an infection, take an over-the-counter painkiller for temporary relief. Rinse with salt water to reduce swelling and kill harmful bacteria.

How We Treat Toothaches: We’ll evaluate the tooth carefully to determine what the right next steps are. Common solutions include fillings, dental crowns, root canal therapy, nightguards for bruxism, and (as a last resort) tooth extractions. Our goal when recommending treatment is to stop the pain and make sure that your oral health as a whole is protected.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Chipped Teeth

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?: Unlike cracked teeth, a tooth that is merely chipped can typically wait a few days for treatment. However, no dental damage should go ignored for too long, as it could leave the tooth vulnerable to further damage, and it might put you at risk for a painful infection.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth: Gather and store any large pieces of the tooth. Bring them with you to your appointment so that we can examine them. Rinse your mouth with water to clear away any bacteria that could attack the now-vulnerable tooth. Sometimes a chipped tooth can irritate the inside of your mouth, so cover it with dental wax or sugarless gum.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth: Chipped teeth tend to be relatively easy to repair. We can fill in the damaged area of the tooth with the composite resin that we use for fillings. For those who are concerned about chips on highly visible teeth, we suggest using dental veneers to hide the damage.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Dental Veneers

Cracked Tooth

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?: Even the smallest crack can put the entire tooth at risk. It could provide an opening for bacteria to cause an infection, and it could weaken the enamel in a way that leads to further damage. Call us right away if you notice your tooth is cracked or think that it might be cracked.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth: Do not bite or chew with the injured tooth. If you want to protect the area, try covering it with dental wax or sugarless gum. A cold compress or an over-the-counter pain reliever can help reduce any discomfort you might be experiencing. Rinse with water regularly to protect the damaged tooth from bacteria.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth: We’ll check the tooth to see how bad the damage is. If there’s only a small crack, it may be possible to repair it with a filling. More often than not, the damage is serious enough that a crown is needed to restore and protect the tooth. If a tooth is so badly fractured that we can’t repair it, we can extract it and discuss replacement options.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency?

Tooth sensitivity can be tricky to diagnose on your own. It is often an early sign of tooth decay, which qualifies as a dental emergency, but not always. It may be the result of enamel wear over time. One of our dentists needs to examine your mouth to determine whether your sensitivity is something serious.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth

Pay attention to your symptoms and keep track of the severity. Try to avoid triggers that set off the sensitivity, like hot, cold, or sugary foods or drinks. If you find it is getting worse or your teeth become painful, it may be time to schedule an emergency appointment.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth 

After a thorough examination, we can diagnose the issue. For tooth decay, we can provide a filling or a dental crown, depending on the extent of the damage, to restore your tooth after we remove the cavity. Otherwise, we may be able to apply some fluoride to your teeth, which reinforces the enamel.

Learn More about Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More about Dental Crowns

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A knocked-out tooth is one of the most severe and urgent dental emergencies you can experience because there is only a certain amount of time that the tooth can be successfully re-implanted. In fact, for the best chances of saving the tooth, you need to come to our office within an hour of the injury. Give us a call first and let us know you’re on your way so we can be ready to assist you as quickly as possible.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth

You don’t want to contaminate the roots of the tooth, so only touch the crown portion, which is the part of the tooth that is usually visible above the gums. Rinse the tooth with clean water and try to reposition the tooth into the socket. If you find this isn’t possible, put it in a container or bag of milk. Or you can place it in your mouth between your cheek and other teeth. It’s important to keep the tooth moist while it’s outside the socket or it will die.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth 

In the best case scenario, we are able to place the tooth back in its socket, if you haven’t do so already, and put a splint on it. This oral appliance holds the tooth securely by attaching it to the surrounding teeth while the connective tissues heal. As much as possible, we make this happen, but sometimes for one reason or another, the natural tooth cannot be saved. In this case, we must replace the tooth either with a dental implant or bridge, which we can discuss in more detail with you to find the right solution for you and your smile.

Learn More about Dental Implants

Learn More about Dental Bridges

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency?

Even if you aren’t experiencing any pain, a lost filling or crown is considered a dental emergency because it hinders your ability to bite or chew food. Plus, the more vulnerable inner layers of the tooth become exposed to harmful bacteria. That’s why you need to seek our help right away.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown

If you can find the restoration and it isn’t too damaged, gently rinse it off with clean water. Put a dab of toothpaste on the filling or crown and put it back onto the tooth. This should be enough to hold the tooth in place temporarily. Otherwise, you may put some sugar-free gum onto the tooth to keep out bacteria.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns 

Treatment will depend on the condition of the restoration. We may be able to simply reattach the filling or crown, but this is not often the case. Most of the time, the filling or crown is either too old or damaged to simply be reattached to the tooth, in which case, we will need to replace it with a new one.

Learn More about Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More about Dental Crowns

Broken Denture

Is a broken denture a dental emergency? Chipped, cracked, warped, or otherwise broken dentures are more than just an inconvenience. We understand that if a denture stops functioning properly, your daily life, confidence, and well-being can be negatively influenced as well. Plus, wearing a damaged denture can cause serious problems for your mouth! So don’t hesitate to give us a call for a broken denture.

How to handle a broken denture:  Take the oral appliance out and evaluate the extent of the damage. Regardless of whether your denture has sustained a small crack or has snapped in half, do NOT wear it. Keep your denture in cleaning solution or water until you can reach us. Wearing a broken denture can hurt your oral tissues can cause further problems. Although it may be tempting, do not try to fix it on your own. Instead, call our dental office to have it repaired.

How we treat broken dentures: In some cases, we may be able to quickly and easily repair your denture with dental bonding or a realignment. Sometimes, we may recommend replacing a specific part of your denture. However, in some cases, you may need an entirely brand-new denture. If this is the case, you may want to take this opportunity to learn more about implant dentures.

Learn More About Dentures

Learn More About Dental Implants

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a loose permanent tooth a dental emergency? Have you chomped down on something hard or taken a blow to the face while playing a sport, and now your tooth is loose? Or has it slowly started to become loose over time? You could have serious damage or a severe infection, either of which could lead to tooth loss! You should call us immediately if a permanent tooth feels loose.

How you should handle a loose permanent tooth: Do not chew, bite, or eat on the same side of your mouth as your loose tooth. You also need to avoid touching it with your fingers, tongue, or anything else. You can rinse your mouth out with water gently, but do not spit forcefully.

How we treat loose permanent teeth: First, we’ll need to determine why your tooth is loose. We may be able to splint it to the neighboring teeth to encourage it to heal back into place. Alternatively, you may need gum disease treatment or root canal therapy. However, if the tooth cannot be saved, we’ll need to extract it and discuss your replacement options, such as a dental implant.

Learn More About Gum Disease Therapy

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Learn More About Dental Implants

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency? Oral soft tissue injuries are easy to obtain, especially if you play a sport. Fortunately, if you accidentally bite your tongue or lip, in most cases it is not a dental emergency. If there is excessive bleeding or significant pain, call our dental office and we will instruct you as to whether to go to the emergency room or to come into our dental office.

How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: First, rinse your mouth out to clear away debris. Then, place a washcloth, paper towel, or piece of gauze over the area, applying firm pressure, until the bleeding stops. You can then apply a cold compress to ease swelling and numb discomfort.

How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: In most cases, injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue can be easily managed at home with the above techniques. However, feel free to call us if you’re concerned! We may invite you in so we can look for damage to the teeth, and we may provide stitches if necessary.

Jaw Pain

Is jaw pain a dental emergency? If your jaw is broken or dislocated, you should go directly to your local emergency room. Other, less severe jaw pain does not typically warrant an immediate trip to an emergency dentist, but it shouldn’t be ignored. A constant, dull aching in your jaw, especially when waking up, could signal a condition called bruxism, which can lead to more serious issues if left untreated.

How you should handle jaw pain: Bruxism is nightly teeth grinding, and it seems to be connected to stress. So, before going to bed, try relaxing activities like stretching or reading. A warm washcloth on your face can also help relax your jaw muscles. If needed, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed.

How we treat jaw pain: First, we need to determine the cause of your jaw soreness with an evaluation. If signs of bruxism are apparent, we may recommend a custom nightguard for bruxism. In rare cases, jaw soreness can be a symptom of incoming wisdom teeth that need to be removed. Naturally, if this is the case, we’ll recommend wisdom tooth extraction.

Learn More About Nightguards for Bruxism

Learn More About Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Bits of food or other debris getting trapped between your teeth can result in a monster of a toothache as well as damaged gums. First, try rinsing your mouth out with warm water to soothe your gums and loosen the object a bit. Then, you can try to use wax-coated dental floss to remove the debris. Tie a knot in it and then move it back and forth around the area. If you’re still unable to dislodge the object, call us right away. Whatever you do, do not attempt to get the object out using a toothpick, tweezers, or other sharp item, as you could scratch your teeth or pierce your gums.