Emergency Dentistry – Ledgewood, NJ

Prompt, Pain-Relieving Dental Care

Woman in need of emergency dentistry holding cheek in pain

Every year, one out of every six Americans will be faced with an intense toothache, broken tooth, or other dental problem that requires immediate care. You might not think these issues could happen to you, but they can. In these circumstances, you should call an emergency dentist, like Dr. Michael McCleaster, right away for the prompt, pain-relieving dental care you need. At McCleaster Family Dental, we work to get emergency patients seen as soon as possible to receive emergency dentistry in our Ledgewood, NJ dental office.

Why Choose McCleaster Family Dental for Emergency Dentistry?

  • McCleaster Family Dental logo Same-Day Emergency Dental Appointments
  • McCleaster Family Dental logo Compassionate, Experienced Dentist & Team
  • McCleaster Family Dental logo Low- to No-Interest Dental Financing Available

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Dentist using smile model to show how he treats dental emergencies

Dental emergencies are usually sudden, alarming, and even scary, especially if you’ve never experienced one before. Thankfully, all you need to do is call McCleaster Family Dental, and our team will let you know how to proceed. Here’s how we’ll handle the situation:

  • We’ll find room in our schedule to set up an emergency appointment for you, typically later that same day.
  • Over the phone, one of our team members will ask you about your symptoms and give you first-aid guidance on managing them until your visit.
  • As soon as you get to our dental office, Dr. McCleaster will perform a detailed visual exam of your mouth and capture X-rays to identify the source of your emergency.
  • We will also provide relief for your immediate pain.
  • McCleaster will share the findings from his exam with you and recommend one or more treatments aimed at eliminating the problem.
  • Our team will walk you through your treatment plan, including cost and timeline estimates.
  • Once you’ve agreed on a course of action, we can begin repairing your smile.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Woman in need of emergency dentistry holding cheek in pain

Because there are so many possible types of dental emergencies, it can be difficult to decide whether your problem truly needs urgent treatment. When in doubt, give us a call anyway; you don’t want to take any risks when it comes to your smile’s health. That being said, you should definitely call us if you find yourself with one of the following emergencies:

 

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Female patient smiling after visiting emergency dentist in Ledgewood, NJ

Everyone’s oral health needs are different, and no two dental emergencies are exactly the same. As such, we can only put a price on emergency dental care once we’ve had a chance to examine your smile. Our top priority will always be to stop your pain and protect your smile, so rest assured that we will only recommend services that are truly necessary for your care. We will also make sure that you are aware of the available payment options before your treatment begins.

Every Dental Emergency is Different

Man with toothache before visiting emergency dentist in Ledgewood, NJ

During your initial emergency visit (which is typically relatively inexpensive), we will examine your mouth to figure out the nature of your emergency and determine what kind of treatment you need. Sometimes it might be as simple as a filling, and in other cases more complex treatments might be needed. Whatever recommendations we give you, we’ll provide you with an estimate so that you have a rough idea of how much you can ultimately expect to pay.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Dentist showing patient dental insurance form on tablet

While dental insurance mainly focuses on preventive care, most plans do offer coverage for emergency treatments. Oftentimes, your insurance carrier will pay for one emergency exam per year, and they may offer 50% to 80% coverage for a majority of the services (such as dental crowns) that are often used for dental emergencies.

Not all dental plans are the same, and factors such as yearly maximums and deductibles can affect how much your insurance company is willing to pay. Make sure that you’re aware of the specifics of your plan before you agree to any sort of dental treatment.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Patient shaking hands with emergency dentist in Ledgewood, NJ

Our team can file paperwork for a wide variety of dental plans, but if you don’t have insurance, we can still offer you a chance to save money on dental care. We can help you apply for a CareCredit financing plan that breaks up the cost of care into smaller, easier-to-handle payments. CareCredit plans come with little to no interest, so you can pay at a rate that is comfortable for you without having to worry about the strain it’s putting on your budget.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Woman brushing her teeth in the bathroom mirror

Many dental emergencies just can’t be avoided, such as getting hit in the face and losing a tooth. That said, most emergencies are the result of tooth decay or oral infection. By taking good care of your mouth – meaning brushing your teeth regularly and visiting our practice for checkups twice a year – you can reduce the chances of needing urgent care and potentially save hundreds of dollars as a result.

If you ever suspect that you have an issue that could turn into a dental emergency, it’s best to have it taken care of right away, even if you’re worried about the cost. Putting off treatment could result in further dental pain and will likely result in a need for more expensive care.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Woman brushing teeth to prevent dental emergencies

Despite their unpredictable nature, dental emergencies can often be prevented if you take a few key precautions:

  • Brush your teeth first thing in the morning and last thing before bed.
  • Floss at least once a day.
  • Visit us for your six-month checkups and cleanings.
  • Avoid opening bottles or packaging with your teeth.
  • Don’t chew on popcorn kernels, ice cubes, or other hard objects that could break your teeth.

Dental Emergency FAQs

Woman with toothache in Ledgewood

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

Will my toothache go away on its own?

Toothaches don’t usually go away on their own. That’s why it’s best to schedule a checkup with a dentist to ensure that nothing is wrong. There are all sorts of reasons why you could be experiencing discomfort, so it’s important to rule them out with a professional. Doing this can help you to catch underlying problems before they become 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 your dentist in the morning, keep your head elevated. This will prevent blood from rushing to your head and intensifying your toothache. Additionally, take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed. You should avoid foods that are particularly acidic, cold, or hard before bed. Cold compresses can also help. When morning rolls around, give us a call to schedule an emergency appointment.

Can the emergency room remove a tooth?

Only a licensed dentist can perform a tooth extraction, making it illegal for someone without the proper training and education required to perform, even if you are in the hospital. The emergency room is able to provide antibiotics and pain medication, but this will not address the underlying problem causing your toothache. A tooth extraction may not even be the necessary treatment you need. For instance, root canal therapy may be able to save your tooth while also diminishing your discomfort. For dental emergencies, it is almost always best to see an emergency dentist instead of visiting the ER.

Can I pop a dental abscess on my own?

You should never attempt to pop a dental abscess on your own. You should always get in touch with a dentist, as this is a dental infection and therefore an emergency. Popping the abscess will only expose your mouth to additional bacteria and irritate the area more. Putting off treatment can allow the infection to spread to other areas of the body and become much more serious. If you think you have a dental abscess, give us a call right away to schedule an urgent visit.

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Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? Toothaches are often a common sign of infections that develop deep beneath the enamel of the tooth, within the inner chamber. Usually, the causes range from minor issues to severe problems. If you experience any of the following, contact us right away to schedule an emergency appointment:

  • Extreme discomfort that lasts more than a day
  • Sharp pain when biting down
  • Dental sensitivity that lasts over 30 seconds
  • A small bump has developed near the painful tooth
  • Signs of a serious infection (i.e., swelling, fever, fatigue)

How you should handle a toothache: Clean around the tooth to remove any food debris that might be stuck and causing the pain. If the problem persists, go ahead and take some over-the-counter pain medication to ease your discomfort. You can also apply a cold compress to the face. Do NOT put aspirin directly on the gums, as this can damage them.

How we treat toothaches: Our team will need to conduct a detailed examination to identify the cause of your emergency. Based on our findings, we’ll recommend a treatment method to get your smile back on the right track. Some common services include dental crowns, antibiotics, prescription mouthwash, gum disease treatment, root canal therapy, or extraction.

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? Not always, but you should still seek treatment as soon as you can. If you leave a chipped tooth untreated, it can potentially lead to serious damage or decay. Our team can restore your smile quickly to prevent further complications.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: Keep any pieces of the tooth that you can and bring them to our dental office. Apply a cold compress to your face to manage swelling before you arrive. If the tooth is sharp or jagged as a result of the break, you can cover it with dental cement to prevent accidentally cutting your oral tissue.

How we treat chipped teeth: A chipped tooth can often be fixed with composite resin. However, you may want to consider getting a veneer if you’ve damaged a highly visible tooth, like a front tooth.

Learn More About Dental Bonding

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Yes! Even a minor crack will need to be addressed right away. You should always schedule an emergency appointment after sustaining a blow to the face, especially if you feel pain or sensitivity.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: Carefully rinse your mouth with warm water to get rid of any unwanted bacteria. If needed, you can use a cold compress or take over-the-counter pain medication to relieve your pain. Make sure you avoid chewing or eating with the injured side of your mouth while you wait for your appointment.

How we treat cracked teeth: We often treat cracked teeth with custom-made dental crowns. However, we might use composite resin if the damage is minor enough. On the other hand, a tooth that is damaged beyond repair may benefit from extraction. In that case, you may want to explore your tooth-replacement options like dental bridges and implants.

Learn More About Dental Bonding

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency?: There are several reasons why your teeth might be especially sensitive. It could mean that your gums have receded and exposed your tooth roots; another explanation is that your enamel has become worn down. Sensitivity could be a sign of a dental emergency if:

  • It causes pain.
  • It lasts for multiple days.
  • It only occurs in one or two teeth.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth: Begin by calling our office and telling us about your situation. The tips we give you for handling tooth sensitivity might vary based on your symptoms. Good steps to take usually include drinking lukewarm water, staying away from hot or cold foods, and taking painkillers if you need to.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth: If we find that the enamel is weakened or eroded, we might suggest picking up some toothpaste with desensitizing properties. In the event that we find that the sensitivity is a result of gum disease or tooth decay, an appropriate form of treatment will be recommended.

Learn More About Gum Disease Therapy

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency?: The circumstances in which a tooth is lost can vary, but no matter the underlying cause, you need to act immediately. There’s a very limited window of time in which reimplantation can be attempted; if you wait too long to see a dentist, the tooth will be lost for good. As such, no matter where you are when a tooth is knocked out, your first step should always be to call our office to schedule an emergency appointment.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth: Stay calm and look for the tooth. If you find it, pick it up by the crown (the end that’s used for chewing). Rinse off any debris without touching the roots. Once you’re sure that the tooth is clean, put it back in its socket. If for any reason you can’t put the tooth back in its proper place, you’ll need to take other steps to preserve it. One good option is to store it in a container filled with milk or saline solution.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth: We always prefer to save knocked-out teeth whenever possible, so if the tooth is still viable, we will try to reimplant it. If for any reason the tooth is beyond saving, we will instead help you figure out the best option for filling in the empty space in your smile. This could mean a dental bridge, a partial denture, or a dental implant.

Learn More About Dental Implants

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency?: While losing a crown or a filling typically isn’t an urgent problem, it’s also not a situation that you should take too lightly. Teeth that lose their restorations are often at a higher risk for infection and other problems; the longer you wait to see your dentist, the more likely it is that a problem will develop.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown: Find the restoration if you can. It might be possible to reuse it, so bring it (along with any pieces that have broken off) to your appointment. Keep the tooth safe by avoiding hard foods. If you eat anything that requires chewing, use the opposite side of your mouth.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns:  If you still have the restoration that fell out, we’ll check to see if it’s still in good condition. If so, we can simply put it back on your tooth. Restorations that are too old or too badly damaged will need to be replaced entirely.

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Broken Denture

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? Yes! Since your dentures play an important role in your everyday life, like helping you chew effectively, it’s important that you get them repaired or replaced right away if they break.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture The best thing to do is call our Ledgewood emergency dentist so we can schedule a time for you to come in. Do NOT use super glue or any other adhesives to attempt to repair your dentures on your own either.

How We Treat Broken Dentures There are some cases where we can repair your dentures the same day, which is usually the case if the damage is minor. Conversely, if your dentures have split down the middle, then we will need to have a replacement made.

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? A loose permanent tooth definitely warrants a call to our Ledgewood dental office. We need to intervene ASAP to prevent an infection from developing or the tooth from being knocked out entirely.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth First, avoid touching the tooth with your tongue or fingers. This can introduce bacteria to the area and loosen it further. Until you arrive for your treatment, don’t chew on that side of your mouth and rinse with water periodically. Lastly, take an over-the-counter pain reliever if you’re experiencing any discomfort.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth In some cases, we can secure the tooth in place, allowing it to heal in the coming weeks and months. If for any reason it’s best for your oral health to have it extracted instead, then we will replace the open gap with a dental bridge or implant.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS BUTTON

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency? After biting down hard into your cheek or tongue, you might see a lot of blood coming from the wound. Typically, the bleeding will stop within 10 minutes of applying pressure. If it doesn’t, then you should head to the ER.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue To help keep the area clean, we recommend rinsing the cut with lukewarm water. Then, use some gauze or a damp washcloth to apply pressure to the area, stopping the bleeding in the process.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue Typically, soft tissue cuts don’t require an emergency visit to our office. With that said, you’re always welcome to give us a call if you’re concerned. From there, we can determine if we can help by providing instructions on what to do next or stitching the wound closed.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? If severe enough, jaw pain can make it difficult to chew, speak, and sleep comfortably. If that’s the case for you, or if the pain has persisted for more than a day or two, then we do recommend scheduling an appointment with our Ledgewood dental team.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain There are a few things you can do to help alleviate jaw pain from home, like placing a cold compress against your jaw, not chewing hard and crunchy foods, and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.

How We Treat Jaw Pain Fortunately, jaw pain can often be alleviated with a custom mouthguard. However, if the pain is stemming from a break or fracture, then you will need to seek medical attention at the ER.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Having something lodged between your teeth can be quite the annoyance, especially if it’s resulting in pain each time you bite down. To remove debris, try rinsing with warm water before using a piece of floss to gently move it out of place. If you’ve tried this several times with no success, then give us a call.

Important note: do NOT use sharp objects, like tweezers or toothpicks.