Request an Appointment
Appt. Request an Appointment Forms Download Patient Forms Like Us Like Us on Facebook Review Review Us on Review

Emergency Dentist in Framingham

Providing Urgent Care When You Need It Most

Are you or a loved one experiencing a severe dental injury or serious oral pain? In these situations, it’s important to stay as calm as possible. Time may be of the essence when it comes to preserving natural teeth that have been damaged or lost, so don’t hesitate – reach out to Framingham Premier Dental as soon as possible to schedule an emergency appointment! Dr. Marianna Gaitsgory makes every effort to see emergency cases as soon as possible.

Why Choose Framingham Premier Dental for Emergency Dental Care?

 

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

 

  • Contact our office. The sooner you give us a call, the better chance we have of saving your smile. An experienced team member will provide instructions over the phone on how to stabilize and improve your condition in the interim.
  • See Dr. Gaitsgory for an emergency exam. When you get to our office, Dr. Gaitsgory will thoroughly assess your condition and take X-rays to identify the cause of your problem. Using her findings, she’ll create a custom treatment plan to get your smile back on the right track.
  • Get the care you need. Depending on your emergency and the treatment needed, you might be scheduled for additional visits to fully address your situation. Some common solutions for dental emergencies include fillings, crowns, root canal therapy, and extractions.

 

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

When you’re in need of urgent assistance, our dental team is here for you with personalized services and a calm, comfortable office atmosphere. The first thing you should do in any emergency is to contact us to make an appointment. In the meantime, you can review the tips below for how to handle some of the most common dental emergencies we see.

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Simply put, you should never let concerns about cost hold you back from getting the treatment you need. The longer you wait to receive care, the worse your problem is likely to become. The worse it becomes, the more costly treatment will be. With all of that said, we know that the cost can create some anxiety, especially if you aren’t sure what to expect. For that reason, we’ve dedicated this next section to reviewing some important information about the cost of emergency dentistry in Framingham.

Why Every Dental Emergency is Different

Smiling dentist reviewing X-ray with patient during consultation

Before we review your treatment options, create a plan of action, and review the cost, we need to first thoroughly evaluate the situation. That’s because several important factors need to be considered to give you accurate information, including the nature of the problem and the type of treatment you receive. Rest assured, we will do our very best to answer any questions you have while also getting you out of pain as quickly as possible.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Dental insurance forms on table with cash, keyboard, and pens

Oftentimes, the answer is yes! However, it’s important to know that coverage can vary from patient to patient, especially since some dental plans have waiting periods and other red tape. Since we are in-network with several providers, including Delta Dental, Aetna, and MetLife, we can help you determine which benefits you have available. For example, you may have a free emergency exam or upwards of 80% of the cost of your restorative care covered.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Patient smiling at reflection in mirror with dentist and dental assistant

Not every patient has insurance. That’s why we offer several other financial solutions, starting with our in-house membership plan! In addition to helping you save on your care, there isn’t any red tape (like yearly deductibles) and you can take advantage of the perks right away. We also are happy to welcome flexible financing with CareCredit, which prevents you from having to pay for the entire cost of your treatment in one lump sum. If you’d like to learn more about our in-house membership plan or CareCredit, you can give our team a call.

How Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Father and daughter brushing their teeth together in bathroom

It’s important that we mention in this section that taking care of your smile can prevent you from costly restorative and cosmetic care. One example is that consistently flossing can dramatically reduce your chances of painful toothaches from cavities or inflamed gums from gingivitis. As a result, we strongly encourage our patients to adopt healthy habits, like brushing twice a day and visiting us twice a year for a checkup and cleaning. Conversely, you should quit unhealthy habits, like chewing on cubes of ice, biting your nails, smoking, and eating sugar in excess.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Although some accidents are simply unavoidable, the majority of dental problems can be prevented with good oral health habits. So, if you don’t already have a solid oral hygiene regimen in place, there’s no time like the present to create one! Here are a few best practices we recommend to minimize your risk of experiencing a dental emergency.

Get a Checkup and Cleaning Biannually

Woman smiling at dentist during checkup

At your six-month checkup and cleaning, one of our primary goals is to detect oral health problems before they require same-day care. For example, if we catch decay in the early stages, then we can restore the health and strength of your tooth before it results in a persistent toothache or pain when biting down. Similarly, we can treat gum disease well before it causes tooth loss.

Take Care of Your Smile At Home

Woman smiling while brushing her teeth in bathroom

Of course, taking care of your smile between visits is important too. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be a complicated or cumbersome process. Start with the basics, like using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste to brush each morning and evening. Then, floss and rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash on a daily basis.

Eat a Well-Balanced Diet

Woman smiling while eating well-balanced meal on road trip

Eating a well-balanced diet is essential when it comes to your oral and overall health. After all, if you are filling your plate with vitamin-rich foods, then your body will have the nutrients it needs to keep your jawbone strong, your teeth healthy, and your gums infection-free. We also recommend consuming sugar and acidic foods in moderation and not biting ice or anything else extremely hard.

Wear a Mouthguard

Closeup of mouthguard hanging from football helmet

A knocked-out tooth is a common dental emergency that can happen while participating in sports. However, it’s far from the only one – you can also sustain a serious soft tissue injury or damage a restoration! That’s why it’s so important that you wear a mouthguard. It’s also likely that you’ll benefit from having one if you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

Man using scissors to open white box

Sometimes, it may seem convenient to use your teeth as tools. For example, you may use your molars to open a bottle cap or place your keys in your mouth while searching through your purse. However, these can also result in a serious dental injury, like a tooth that’s cracked down the middle. So, never use your teeth as tools!

Dental Emergency FAQs

Man with dental emergency in Framingham

Dental emergencies often come unexpectedly, so it’s understandable that you have some unanswered questions. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about dental emergencies in Framingham. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, don’t worry. Give us a call and we’d be happy to help you with your situation and schedule you an appointment.

Will my toothache go away on its own?

Toothaches don’t usually go away on their own. For this reason, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your dentist to ensure that nothing serious is going on. There are all sorts of different causes for toothaches, so you will want to rule them out with a professional as soon as possible. Doing this can help you catch underlying problems before they turn more serious.

How should I sleep with tooth pain?

It can be difficult to get quality sleep when you’re dealing with a toothache. Until you’re able to see a dentist in the morning, keep your head elevated. This will prevent blood from rushing to your head and intensify your toothache. Additionally, take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed and avoid foods that are particularly acidic, cold, or hard. A cold compress can also help.

Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?

Most emergency rooms aren’t able to address dental emergencies effectively. However, there are three main exceptions where an ER visit is a better option. You should head directly to the emergency room if you have a jaw fracture or dislocation, a serious cut or laceration to the face, or an abscess that is swollen to the point of affecting your ability to breathe or swallow.

What does throbbing tooth pain mean?

This is likely a sign that you have an infection or inflammation within the tooth. Cavities inside the tooth allow air and bacteria to reach the sensitive inner area where the pulp is. This results in irritation and potential infection of pulp nerves, therefore causing pain. In other cases, throbbing tooth pain can be due to chronic teeth grinding and clenching.

Should knocked-out teeth be placed in water?

Water can be used to rinse a tooth, but it should not be placed in water. This is because water can damage the root surface cells of teeth, reducing the chances of it being able to be placed back into the socket. Instead, do your best to place it back into the open socket yourself before heading to the dental office. Alternatively, you can place it in milk, saliva, or a saline solution for up to an hour.