Dental Emergency NYC

What Is a Dental Emergency?

As a dental professional we would always advise that the best way to preempt any dental emergency is preventative dental care like regular dental checkups & teeth cleaning. However dental problems can occur anytime and at times the patients do not know how urgent is the issue that they experience. Can they postpone the treatment for a few hours or a few days or should they run to the nearby emergency dental clinic right away?
Usually, there are few ways to tell if your problem is an emergency that needs treatment right away. For example, if you lost or broke a tooth, the best thing is to schedule your emergency dental care visit. If you have a toothache, it is a good idea to call a dentist immediately.

Some issues that may seem like emergencies do not necessarily require urgent dental care. If you have a chipped tooth without pain or severe bleeding, you might be able to wait a few days before seeing a dentist. By all means, schedule an appointment right away, but do not worry if it is a couple of days before your dental provider can see you.

The same is true if you have slight sensitivity that causes minor discomfort, and that does not interfere with your daily activities. You will most likely be able to wait a few days before you see a dentist without the discomfort causing extreme distress.

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That said, a dental concern can become an emergency if you do not see a dentist for treatment in a timely manner. If you do have any pain or discomfort in your mouth, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with your dentist sooner rather than later.

Symptoms of Dental Emergencies

Dental emergency typically requires urgent dental care. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below call your dentist right away. These symptoms worsen very fast and you may end up looking for “24 hour dental care near me” before the day ends.

• Dull toothache with sensitivity to hot and cold
• Severe toothache or any other dental pain
• Gum bleeding that does not stop
• Swelling in the gums
• Locking of the jaw, making it difficult to open or close your mouth

Types of Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies range from severe toothaches and infections to cracked teeth or lost teeth. Some of the more common dental emergencies include:

• Abscesses or infections, swollen gums
• Tooth trauma and accidents
• Cracked tooth, chipped tooth or broken teeth
• Toothache
• Lost or loose fillings, crowns, onlays or veneers, bridges
• Jaw pain

1. Abscesses

In the U.S., about one out of every 2,600 adults seeks emergency care and treatment as a result of a dental abscess.

A dental abscess develops when a pocket of pus forms either in the gums or at the base of a tooth. An abscess in a tooth can form because of the advanced tooth decay, failing root canal treatment or as a result of injury to the tooth.

A gum abscess can develop as a result of untreated periodontal disease. Occasionally even a piece of food that has lodged between the root of the tooth and gum may cause the infection. Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to gum inflammation.

Signs of an abscess may include a bubble of pus that formed around the infected area. Sudden, intense pain in the area near the affected gum or tooth may also be a sign of an abscess. The pain might be throbbing and may be worse when a person lies down on one side. It can seem to travel or radiate to other areas such as the neck and ear. Other signs of a dental abscess include bad breath, swelling, and sensitivity to chewing or pressure on the tooth or gum.

A dental abscess requires an emergency visit. There is a risk of worsening pain that often gets stronger as the day progresses and becomes unbearable at night. In addition, there is a chance of infection spreading and leading to symptoms such as a fever. Immediate treatment options for a dental abscess typically include draining the abscess and prescribing antibiotics to clear up the infection.  A follow up comprehensive dental treatment to eliminate the problem that has caused the infection in the first place will be required. In some cases, emergency dental extraction may be required, or a dentist might need to perform a root canal procedure.

2. Infections

Abscesses are just one example of a dental infection. Some infections in the mouth can develop over time, becoming an emergency if they are left untreated. Advanced gum disease, or periodontitis, is one example of an infection that can turn into an emergency. If not treated quickly, the infection can cause the teeth to become loose, as the bone that supports them deteriorates. Some people also experience tooth loss as a result of untreated advanced gum disease.

3. Traumatic Dental Injuries

Traumatic dental injuries can range from mild to severe. Mild injuries, such as bloodied lip, typically do not require emergency treatment.

If you happen to bite your tongue, it may be very uncomfortable but most of the time it is neither a life-threatening condition nor a dental emergency. Tongues heal on their own and not much can be done to improve your condition. If you are bleeding profusely or bit off a piece of your tongue please go to an emergency room in the hospital. Apply pressure with gauze pad immediately.

More severe traumatic dental injuries should receive emergency treatment with a dental care professional.  

Children and teenagers might be more likely to experience a traumatic injury since the bone is not as dense as adults’. In addition, kids are generally more involved in physical activities. Causes of traumatic dental injuries include sports accidents, falls or auto accidents.

Having a tooth knocked out or having a tooth knocked out of position but still in the mouth is an example of such injury. In such an event look for an emergency dental office near you! For best results, it is ideal to see a dentist for treatment within 30 minutes of the accident or injury. Bring the tooth with you. Avoid touching the root of the tooth, or harsh cleaning. Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root. After that, you want to try to put it back into the socket or keep it between gum and cheek. If you are concerned with swallowing it, you can place the tooth in a small cup of milk and bring it with you to the dentist’s office. It is essential that the tooth stays moist.

An emergency dentist may be able to place the tooth back into the socket. Be aware, the adult tooth has a smaller chance of healing.

We always advise our patients to take precaution when playing sports & wear a custom-made mouth guard to prevent such injuries.

In case of dental injury, you may lightly rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress. Warm salt water (if salt is accessible) acts as a disinfectant and cold compress will help with swelling right after the injury. Do not use a toothbrush or anything else to clean the area since it may aggravate the condition!

4. Cracked, Chipped or Broken Teeth

Unfortunately, there are many ways to get a chip, crack or broken tooth. Some of the common reasons are tooth decay,  injury to the mouth, eating crunchy or hard foods, opening bottles or other items with your teeth.

Chipped tooth though maybe unsightly often does not require urgent dental care. Since the trauma to the tooth does not cause pain and is mostly of cosmetic concern the treatment can be delayed a day. To learn more about chipped tooth pain and repair options check out our blog post.

Broken tooth has a larger trauma to the tooth and often requires an emergency appointment. Broken tooth treatment options vary based on the severity of the injury as mentioned earlier.

Unlike chipped or broken teeth patients may not always notice that they have a cracked tooth. Crack usually appears in the middle of the tooth and can be a hairline thin. It can also be quite large.  Even if there are no symptoms, cracked teeth should be evaluated in the near future. The teeth that have vertical cracks may be fractured and may result in potential tooth loss. The large cracks on the biting surfaces of the tooth may signify a decay.

5. Lost or loose fillings, crowns, onlays, veneers, and bridges

In case of lost or damaged restorations, things can go both ways. If the tooth was previously treated with a root canal therapy the problem should be addressed in a timely manner. Since the tooth has no nerves, the loss of the old restoration will not cause any pain. However, such a tooth is more susceptible to further breakage. If the tooth had no root canal treatment the exposure to air, liquids, and food is likely to cause painful sensitivity.

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Risks of Not Treating Dental Emergencies

If you have a dental emergency, seeking urgent dental care is essential for your comfort and peace of mind. Not getting prompt treatment may result in further deterioration of the condition and potential tooth loss. If a front tooth is compromised cosmetic concerns are valid. Proper emergency dental services also will help you avoid complications from injury or infection.

In some cases, ignoring a dental emergency for too long can be fatal. There is a possibility that the infection from an abscess or untreated gum disease will spread to other areas of the body. The pus in an abscess can travel to the jaw and neighboring teeth, causing complications there. Infection can also spread beyond the mouth to organs such as the heart or brain. Between 2000 and 2009, more than 60,000 patients were hospitalized as a result of previously untreated tooth abscesses. In an extreme case, a 12-year-old boy died after the bacteria from an abscess spread to his brain.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

You can prevent dental emergencies in many cases. Dental abscesses and infections often develop as a result of poor oral hygiene. A poor diet can also play a role in the development of abscesses or infections.

Starting a regular oral care routine at home will help you maintain oral health. It is also a good idea to replace your toothbrush every three months. Toothbrushes that have frayed bristles will not clean your teeth as well as a new brush.

Wearing a mouthguard while playing sports can help protect your teeth and prevent other mouth injuries.

Not biting down on hard foods or items such as ice also makes it less likely that you will chip or lose a tooth.

24 Hour Emergency Dental Care In NYC

Many patients have a belief that hospital emergency rooms have a designated dental emergency room that will provide 24 hour emergency dental care. More than 2 million people visited the emergency room for a dental problem in 2010.

The reality is that hospital emergency rooms are typically not equipped to handle dental concerns. The most common dental emergency treatment that one receives is a prescription for an antibiotic and a referral to a dental office that provides dental emergency services. And do not forget the wait time! As for private practices even though many advertise being open 24/7, very few do even in the metropolis the size of New York City.

To avoid being stuck in the hospital overnight we advise If you have any signs of a dental emergency, attend to it as soon as possible.

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Weekend Emergency Dental Services in NYC

After looking through many sites, despite the advertisements, we found very few options for an emergency dentist open on Sundays in Manhattan. Some dental offices open on Saturdays but just once or twice a month.

209 NYC Dental has increased morning and evening hours of operation to help our patients with general availability and weekend emergency dental care. We are now open 7 days a week and closed only on major holidays.

Where To Go For An Emergency Dentist In NYC

If you are experiencing a dental emergency or have had a traumatic dental injury, who should you see in New York City?  As mentioned above, if you are seeking dental emergency treatment your best option is to find a dental office, not an emergency room. Not every dental clinic sees new patients on an emergency basis, so call first.  If you happened to have the misfortune of toothache on off hours looking for the office with extended hours is a given.

As a multi-specialty practice, we believe that having dentists with various expertise is most favorable for patient’s care, comfort, and convenience. Thus we recommend reviewing the services the dental clinics offer. If you were previously referred for treatment like extraction, or root canal seeing that specialist is strongly advisable. Visiting a general dentist might be a good idea. Since they are most adept at dealing with various types of emergencies they will be able to provide the emergency dental treatment to make you feel better. If necessary they will refer you out after that.

Seeing Emergency Dentist No Insurance

Unfortunately, the lack of dental insurance is still a number one reason for many to avoid regular visits to a dentist. 209 NYC Dental offers services to private patients. We offer reasonable fees along with various payment options. If you do not have dental insurance and are experiencing a dental emergency in NYC, it is possible to get the dental treatment you need.

209 NYC Dental offers a Dental Emergency Evaluation. The cost of the Dental Emergency Evaluation visit is $125. It includes a limited oral exam — that is, an evaluation of a SPECIFIC problem — with one periapical x-ray and one bitewing x-ray if needed. The x-rays are required to determine the possible cause and treatment necessary to resolve the issue.

If you need additional treatment beyond the emergency evaluation, our treatment coordinators will discuss with you cost of the required treatment. Our practice accepts all major credit cards, as well as outside financing from companies such as CareCredit. 

Emergency Dental Care with Insurance

209 NYC Dental accepts most PPO dental insurances and flexible spending account (FSA) benefits. In few cases of medical trauma medical insurance coverage may be utilized. It depends on the type of treatment you are receiving and the cause of the injury. If you have insurance, our treatment coordinators will work with you to help you better understand what is covered and what is your coinsurance.

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Getting Urgent Dental Care in NYC

If you do experience a dental emergency, the quicker you take action, the better. Even if you are not sure if you have an emergency at hand, it is a good idea to call a dental professional. You can explain your issue to the dentist, and they will let you know if you need treatment immediately or if you can wait a day or two.

A missing tooth or extreme toothache can’t wait. At 209 NYC Dental, we understand the importance of moving quickly and providing patients with the immediate, emergency care that they need. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, call 212-355-2290 or book online to discuss your injury, schedule an appointment and get the treatment necessary as soon as possible.

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