Do I Need Emergency Dental Care in Manhattan?
Hard food, sports injuries, accidents, and even infections can leave you searching for an “emergency dentist near me”. But not every oral injury needs emergency dentistry. Depending on the severity of the incident and how much pain you’re in, you should either go to the hospital, or you can book an appointment with your local emergency dentist in Manhattan.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency happens when you experience an injury or infection to your teeth, gums, or other sensitive oral tissues that needs immediate attention. If you’re at risk of losing a tooth or you’re experiencing an incredible amount of pain, you should find the nearest 24-hour emergency dental care facility.
With chipped or fractured teeth, whether or not you need emergency dentistry depends on the severity of the injury. But when in doubt, it’s always best to call your closest emergency dentist.
Do You Have a Dental Emergency?
There are many indicators that you’re experiencing a dental emergency. And not all of them center around tooth loss. Knowing what they are can save you time and trouble, helping restore your smile and stop your suffering. These are the most common dental emergencies:
Loose Teeth
Adult teeth shouldn’t wiggle or feel loose. They should be securely anchored in your mouth. Injuries to the mouth can loosen teeth, resulting in lasting nerve and jaw damage. Localized infections (like gum disease) can also loosen your teeth.
If your adult teeth wiggle, you should book an appointment with your local emergency dentist and have them examined. They’ll provide treatment to reduce the spread of any infection and take steps to protect your teeth from extraction.
Numb Teeth
Numb teeth can indicate that an infection has spread to the root of your tooth. If you notice a toothache going numb on its own, you should seek emergency dental care and have the tooth evaluated.
Broken and Chipped Teeth
Small chips and cracks may not cause you a lot or any pain. It depends on where the damage is and to what extent. Cracks tend to be more painful, originating at the gum and causing pain at the root. Minor damage may not need any repair, or it may just need some light dental bonding. However, if a tooth has extensive damage, a root canal may be needed.
Missing Crowns and Fillings
Lost crowns and fillings are one of the most common dental emergencies that require a visit to a 24-hour emergency dental clinic. Store the filling or crown in a clean container and bring it to the best dentist near you. It may be possible to refit the crown to the tooth. However, you want to make sure you’re seen quickly to prevent further decay of the tooth.
Bleeding, Aching Gums
Bleeding gums can be the sign of early-stage gum disease or gingivitis. Severe bleeding and aching can be a sign of advancing gum disease or a dental emergency that should be evaluated as quickly as possible.
Broken Dental Appliances
If you have damage to your braces or other dental work, you should seek treatment from a dentist quickly. Damaged brackets and wires can dig into the sensitive tissues in your mouth, causing pain and discomfort. An emergency dentist can quickly repair your dental appliances.
Dental Abscess
Abscesses are caused by untreated cavities, severe gum disease, and trauma that cause painful infections. Pus, swollen glands, fever, and a bad taste in your mouth signal a dental abscess. You’ll need to find out where to go for a dental emergency, so you can have your abscess treated quickly. Usually, this will require surgery to drain and treat the abscess.
Severe Toothaches
You can treat minor toothaches with over-the-counter pain relief. However, when your tooth pain is severe, you should call your local dentist and see if you can be seen immediately. If not, book an appointment by searching for “the best emergency dentist near me”. There’s no reason you should suffer from excruciating pain, and toothaches can be symptoms of serious conditions.
Swollen Jaw
Serious infections (such as a salivary gland infection) your jaw may swell, leaving a bad taste in your mouth, causing trouble with breathing and swallowing. Fevers are also common. Anytime oral discomfort affects your breathing, you should see a 24-hour emergency dentist.
Lasting Canker Sores
While it’s common for people to have canker sores, they shouldn’t linger for weeks at a time. If you notice that you have sores that won’t go away, you should have a dentist evaluate you.
Remember: Waiting too long with a dental emergency can further impact your health. If you’re still not certain about whether or not you need immediate dental treatment, contact your local dentist. They can quickly help you determine if you need emergency dentistry.
What to Do If You Have a Dental Emergency in NYC
If you’re suffering from a dental emergency, your local emergency dentist should be able to help relieve your pain and restore your health, but there are some you can do to help protect your smile. Follow these steps on your way to make your emergency dentistry visit easier.
Cracked or Chipped Tooth in Greenwich Village
Rinse your mouth with warm water first. Cover any jagged edges with either wax or sugar-free chewing gum to prevent the tooth from cutting your mouth. And if you have to eat, stick with soft foods while avoiding the broken or chipped tooth.
Knocked-Out Teeth in NYC
Try to place the tooth back into the socket without touching the roots. You do not want to introduce additional bacteria to the wound. If the tooth won’t go in, then rinse it off and either store the tooth in either your own saliva (the best option) or milk. Apply a cold, wet compress to the socket to reduce bleeding and swelling.
It is imperative that you receive emergency dental care as quickly as possible. 30 minutes can be the difference between saving or losing the tooth.
Severe Toothache in Manhattan
You should never have to suffer through the pain. If over-the-counter pain relief won’t reduce your pain symptoms, you may have a tooth abscess. Find the closest 24-hour emergency dentist and ask to be seen. You can also call your local dentist as many dental practices leave space open in case of dental emergencies.
For other dental emergencies in Manhattan, call or visit an emergency dentist near you. The staff will help you manage pain and restore your oral health.
How to Relieve Unbearable Tooth Pain?
Tooth pain can be incredibly uncomfortable. And sometimes over-the-counter medications do very little to fully relieve the pain. If you need a way to quickly reduce tooth pain outside of aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, here are some home remedies that can ease your suffering until you visit your nearest emergency dental care facility.
- Rinse with Saltwater: Mix ½ a teaspoon with 8 ounces of water and swish it around in your mouth before spitting it out. (Do not swallow it).
- Chew on Garlic: Garlic contains allicin, a natural disease fighter, in its oil. In some cases, it’s been known to reduce tooth pain.
- Apply a Cold Compress: Wrap an ice pack in a cold towel and apply it to your cheek. It will provide relief while reducing swelling.
- Appy Heat: If you have a heat pack, warm it up and apply it to your toothache. Alternatively, you can place rice in a sock, tie it up, and microwave it.
- Use Clove Oil: Soak a cotton ball in clove oil and apply it to your tooth and gums with light dabs to help numb the area.
- Bite on Peppermint Tea: Cool a peppermint tea bag in the fridge and then bite on it to help reduce your pain.
Should You Go to the Hospital for Emergency Dentistry?
It may seem commonsensical to go to the ER if you need emergency dentistry, but most emergency rooms lack the specialized tools and experience needed to treat dental emergencies. In short, a local emergency dentist in Manhattan will be far better equipped to restore your smile and oral health than most hospital emergency rooms.
There are some instances where it is better to go to an emergency room, however. For jaw fractures and dislocations, severe cuts to the mouth and face, or any infection that impairs breathing, you need to call 911 and seek immediate medical attention.
As a general rule, for any life-threatening emergency, seek emergency medical attention from at a hospital or by calling 911.
Can I Get Same Day Dentist Appointments in NYC?
Searching for emergency dentistry in Greenwich Village shouldn’t give you anxiety. That’s why so many dentists leave slots available for emergency procedures. The best way to find out is to call your local dentist and ask if you can be seen on the same day. If not, then ask them for the number to a 24-hour emergency dentist in Manhattan.
Where Can I Go for Emergency Dentistry in Greenwich Village?
Whether you have a broken or knocked-out tooth, a toothache, or any other kind of dental emergency, you can get the treatment you need at Advanced Dental Arts. Don’t silently suffer. With emergency dentistry, you can quickly find relief and restore your smile.
If you’re in need of emergency dentistry in Greenwich Village, then you should check out Advanced Dental Arts. We’re a top-rated, New York City-based dental practice located near New York University. Our dynamic team of board-certified dental specialists is standing by to treat your dental emergency.
Whether you’re looking for an NYC dental practice near you that takes Cigna, Aetna, Delta, or any other dental insurance, contact us and ask about our emergency dentistry services today!
