Emergency Dentist Worcester

Urgent Oral Care When You Need It

Man holding his cheek in pain needing emergency dentist in Worcester

Should you have a dental emergency, you’ll need to act quickly. Delaying your care too long will make the situation worse. Luckily, you can count on Dr. Damerji and our dental team. We’re always on call, ready to assist, and reachable at any time. Just contact our office to get the emergency dentistry in Worcester that you need. That way, you’ll find fast relief and have your grin repaired in no time. See for yourself by reading below or by booking a same-day visit.

Why Choose Burncoat Family Dental for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day Appointments Available
  • Attentive & Caring Dental Team
  • Dental Insurance Friendly & Flexible Financing Welcome

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Woman holding her cheek in pain while talking to emergency dentist

Are you facing your first dental emergency? If so, don’t panic; we’ll walk you through the treatment process. To that end, here are four things to expect from your urgent dental visit:

  • A Same-Day Visit – We’ll book you for the earliest possible visit. In fact, Dr. Damerji will see you either the same or the next day. If you leave a voicemail at our emergency number, Dr. Damerji will usually return the call within an hour.
  • An Emergency Exam – At the start of your visit, our dental team will perform an emergency oral exam. Doing so helps us find your problem’s source and how to relieve your pain.
  • A Review of Findings – After the exam, we’ll share our findings with you. We’ll then suggest suitable procedures and draft a treatment plan.
  • Needed Dental Care – With the treatment plan drafted, our dental team will solve your oral issue. Whether you need a filling, crown, or something else, we’ll get your smile back on track.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

While they do differ from each other, many dental emergencies are fairly common. These sorts happen more often than the others. Should you face one, you really ought to visit us. Our dental team knows how to handle typical dental emergencies. In particular, give us a call if you suffer any of the following:

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Dentist showing patient model of teeth

Once their pain is alleviated and their healthy smile is restored, many patients start to worry about something else: the price. Don’t worry – our Worcester dental team is here to help you navigate the financial side of your treatment as well. Below, you will find some helpful information on the cost of emergency dentistry, but don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions!

Why Every Dental Emergency is Different

Dentist explaining treatment to patient

The reason the cost is different is because each situation is different! For instance, one patient may visit us because of tooth pain, and the next may come in for a same-day appointment because they knocked out a tooth. In fact, even if two patients visit us with the same symptoms, they may need two completely different treatments to restore their healthy, pain-free smile. 

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Patient looking at dental insurance form on phone

If you have dental insurance, it’s worth taking a look at your plan or calling your provider to learn more about your benefits. Of course, our team at Burncoat Family Dental is also here to help! We work with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Delta Dental (Premier and PPO), Aetna, MetLife, and several others. Plus, we can handle the paperwork on your behalf to make the process of utilizing your benefits much less stressful. In short, there’s a good chance that your dental insurance can lower your out-of-pocket expenses, so it’s worth reviewing your coverage and asking us for help, if you need it!

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Dental assistant smiling while handing patient form

If you don’t have dental insurance at the moment, that’s okay – that’s just one financial solution. Another one is CareCredit, which prevents you from having to pay for the entire cost of your care at once. Instead, you can choose one of their payment plans and space out the price into smaller, more manageable installments. We also offer our patients periodic specials, like a $99 emergency visit, so don’t hesitate to take a look at the “Special Offers” page on our website or ask us about our latest promotions when you call to schedule your appointment!

How Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Smiling woman sitting in dental office

Taking good care of your smile won’t just keep your teeth white and your breath fresh; it will also prevent common dental problems, like cavities. So, if you want to keep your teeth and gums happy and healthy, make sure that you:

  • Brush and floss consistently
  • Get a dental checkup and teeth cleaning biannually
  • Don’t over-indulge on foods and drinks with added sugar
  • Wear a mouthguard if you play sports or grind your teeth at night
  • Quit unhealthy habits, like biting your nails

If you ever have any questions about the price – whether it’s about essential restorative care or a routine checkup – don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We don’t want you to stress about any of your visits; we want you to have the positive experience you deserve at each one.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Many dental emergencies can be avoided with a little preparation

There are many reasons you may experience a dental emergency. But while not all of them can be avoided, some can be easily prevented with a few simple lifestyle changes. From regular brushing and flossing to protecting your teeth from accidental injury during sports, safeguarding your smile doesn’t have to be difficult. If you’re interested in learning how to avoid the dental chair outside of your regularly scheduled exam and cleaning, keep reading!

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Visiting the dentist regularly can help prevent dental emergencies

You know the way your teeth feel when you leave Burncoat Family Dental? That smooth sensation you can only get from your semi-annual exam and cleaning is just one benefit of visiting Dr. Damerji and Dr. Alyassi. That’s because when you see us regularly, we can easily screen your teeth and gums for many oral health problems that you could be missing on your own, making it less likely that you’ll need more extensive work down the road, and preventing a potential dental emergency.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home

Taking care of your oral hygiene at home is a great way to avoid dental emergencies

In addition to regular visits with Dr. Damerji and Dr. Alyassi, it is important that you care for your teeth and gums at home. This can be done by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day, not smoking, and notifying your Burncoat Family Dental team if you notice any unexpected changes in your mouth.

Watch Your Diet

Your diet plays an important role in preventing dental emergencies

Diets high in sugar and carbohydrates can not only cause problems with your overall health, but they can also harm your oral health, too. That’s because the bacteria that causes cavities (s. mutans) thrives on sugar and carbohydrates that linger in your mouth after eating. Conversely, eating a diet high in lean protein, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and dairy products can help keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong and your body functioning properly.

Wear a Mouthguard

Wearing a mouthguard will protect your teeth from a dental emergency

Whether you grind your teeth (bruxism) or play sports, it’s important to wear your gear as prescribed by Dr. Alyassi and Dr. Damerji. This will help prevent your teeth from accidental damage such as breaks, cracks, or being knocked out while at rest or at play. If you’re using a storebought guard that is uncomfortable or awkward to wear, speak to your dentist about having a custom guard made. These are made to fit your mouth perfectly, so you’re more likely to wear them and keep your teeth safe!

Use Tools, Not Teeth to Open Packaging

Use tools like scissors to open packaging, not your teeth

Sure, your teeth might work to open a stubborn piece of packaging if there are no scissors nearby; however, this can cause them to chip, crack, or fall out if you’re not careful. While it may be less convenient, taking an extra moment to get a proper tool to open it could save your smile!

The same goes for biting your fingernails: if it’s not food, don’t use your teeth on it!

Dental Emergency FAQs

How Do I Know if My Toothache is an Infection?

If your tooth feels sore, your gums surrounding the tooth are swollen, or you’re dealing with persistent sensitivity, then there’s a good chance that the root of the problem is an infection. That said, the only way to know for sure is to schedule an emergency exam. We recommend contacting our Worcester dental team when you first notice that something is wrong so we can pinpoint the issue and address it ASAP.

Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?

If you are experiencing potentially life-threatening symptoms, like uncontrollable bleeding or trouble swallowing, then you should go to the ER immediately. If, on the other hand, you’re dealing with a painful toothache, a loose restoration, a knocked-out tooth, or something similar, then your first call should be to our Worcester dental office. We’re open as early as 7:30 AM during the week, and we offer lunchtime hours as well. So, there’s a good chance that we’ll be able to schedule an exam on the same day.

Can I Pop a Dental Abscess on My Own?

You should NOT pop a dental abscess on your own. Not only will this expose your mouth to more bacteria, but it won’t address the root of the problem. The best thing to do is call us when you notice that there is a pimple-like bump on your gums. At your appointment, we will open and drain the abscess, removing all of the pus in the process. Then, we will determine if further care is needed to address the infection, like root canal treatment or a tooth extraction.

Should I Worry About a Chipped Tooth If It Doesn’t Hurt?

If your chipped tooth doesn’t hurt, you might assume that scheduling an appointment isn’t necessary. However, it’s possible that the tooth will break further or an infection will develop, and we want to prevent that from happening. So, even if you aren’t experiencing any abnormal symptoms, give us a call so we can conduct an exam within the next couple of days.

Is It Safe to Repair Dentures with Superglue?

The chemicals in superglue can be toxic, so don’t use this household adhesive to try and repair your dentures. Instead, give us a call to share what happened. Once we know a little more about your situation, including how severe the damage is and how old your restoration is, we can determine what the next best steps are.

What If I Can’t Afford Emergency Dentistry?

Receiving a large bill you weren’t expecting can be anxiety-inducing, which is why many patients try to take the “wait and see” approach. However, this only ends up hurting your wallet; the longer you wait, the worse the root of the problem will get. So, if you want to save your smile and your wallet, the best thing to do is schedule an emergency exam when you first notice that something is wrong, like it hurts to chew your food. At your appointment, we will determine the root of the problem, create your custom treatment plan, and review the financial solutions available so you don’t have to stress about the cost.
More to Explore

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Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? Not all toothaches are emergencies, but they can be serious if they stem from severe health issues. Your own tooth pain is likely an emergency if it features any of the following:

  • Sharp aches from biting down
  • Aching teeth that look darker than adjacent ones
  • Intense or persistent pain over 24 hours
  • Gum bumps near the affected tooth
  • Tooth sensitivity persisting for more than 30 seconds
  • Symptoms of a dental infection (swelling, fever, fatigue, etc.)

How you should handle a toothache: You can do several things to handle a toothache. For starters, check the pained area for trapped debris; it may be causing your ache. If you don’t find any debris, manage your discomfort with over-the-counter pain relievers, salt water rinses, and cold compresses. These resources should hold you over until your dental visit.

How we treat toothaches: At our practice, how we treat a toothache depends on its cause. We can only perform proper care once we diagnose the underlying dental issue. Based on our findings, we may suggest a tooth-colored filling, a root canal, or gum disease treatment. One of these options should help your pain fade quickly.

Learn More About Root Canal Treatment

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? While chipped teeth aren’t usually dental emergencies, you should still have them treated quickly. Leaving them alone lets the chips get worse and risks exposing your dentin or pulp. In either scenario, you’d likely suffer severe oral damage or tooth decay.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: If you can find it, you should first locate the chipped toothpiece and store it in a clean container. You should then rinse your mouth with warm water to clear away harmful bacteria and shards. Afterward, you must avoid using the injured tooth to bite or chew.

How we treat chipped teeth: Treatment for chipped teeth varies; the procedure(s) we use depend on your tooth’s level of damage. For instance, we could fix the chip with dental bonding if it’s small enough. Alternatively, a more cosmetics-focused patient may want to hide the chip with a dental veneer.

Learn More About Cosmetic Dental Bonding

Learn More About Veneers

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Whether a cracked tooth is a dental emergency depends on its damage. If the harm is minor, you can afford to delay treatment a bit; your problem isn’t urgent. However, a severe crack needs immediate care because it could cause a tooth infection. This high level of damage can also be tricky to spot, as not all cracks are visible. If your tooth is sensitive or aches from biting, you may have a hidden injury.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: Firstly, rinse your mouth with water; doing so removes harmful microbes near the tooth. You could then use pain relievers or a cold compress to ease any aches or swelling. While you wait for dental treatment, you should also avoid chewing with or near the tooth.

How we treat cracked teeth: Our office has three helpful ways to treat cracked teeth. The first is cosmetic dental bonding, which applies a special resin to hide the crack from view. Option two is a dental crown – a “cap” that hides the crack and protects it from further damage. The third and final treatment is a tooth extraction, which would remove and replace the cracked tooth with a prosthetic.

Learn More About Cosmetic Dental Bonding

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? While slightly sensitive teeth don’t count as an emergency, very sensitive ones do. These latter kinds suffer from exposed dentin and tooth roots, often due to aggressive brushing, an acidic diet, or bruxism. That means they put you at great risk of cavities, infections, and other oral problems when they go untreated. So, you should immediately see a dentist when your teeth have high sensitivity.

How you should handle very sensitive teeth: When your teeth are very sensitive, you should first call our office. We’ll confirm whether you should manage your issue at home or see us for care. Once that’s settled, our team can help you manage by suggesting some lifestyle changes. These may include drinking warm water, avoiding certain foods, or taking over-the-counter pain relievers.

How we treat very sensitive teeth: Depending on your sensitivity’s cause, we can treat it through several methods. Our team could recommend using special oral products - desensitizing toothpaste, prescription mouthwash, etc. – if your case isn’t that bad. On the other hand, we may perform a root canal or gum disease treatment if the sensitivity stems from an infection.

Learn More About Fluoride Treatments

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Nightguards for Bruxism

Learn More About Root Canal Treatment

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? A knocked-out tooth is absolutely a dental emergency! If it isn’t dealt with quickly, the issue will lead to permanent tooth loss. That means you should see us for same-day care if (or when) it occurs. Unless you act fast, there’s a good chance you’ll lose your pearly white for good.

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: While it’s a serious problem, managing a knocked-out tooth at home is pretty simple. The first step is to find the now-lost tooth and pick it up by its crown; touching the roots would cause damage. Next, rinse off the tooth and store it in milk or saline solution. This action would preserve your chomper for up to an hour while you wait for dental care.

How we treat knocked-out teeth: When possible, our office always tries to save and re-implant knocked-out teeth. Having them reintegrate with your bone and mouth tissues is better for your oral health. That said, we’ll offer replacement options like dental bridges and implants if they can’t be salvaged; these prosthetics let you avoid untreated tooth loss.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dentures

Learn More About Dental Implants

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? Lost fillings or crowns aren’t often emergencies, as these prosthetics aren’t meant to last forever. Even so, you should still see your dentist about them right away; teeth without fillings or crowns have a high risk of infection.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: It doesn’t take much to handle lost fillings and crowns. If it’s a crown you’re missing, you should locate the object and bring it to us; our team can reseal crowns when they’re in decent shape. As for dental fillings, just leave them alone; they can’t be resealed once they’ve fallen out.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns: As mentioned earlier, our team could reseat your restoration. If it’s lost or too damaged, though, we’ll give you a replacement instead.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Broken Dentures  

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? Patients often assume that their broken denture isn’t a dental emergency, especially if the damage is relatively minor. However, even small breaks can get worse with time, so it’s still a good idea to call our Worcester office right away.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture In addition to calling us to schedule an appointment, we recommend placing your denture in a small, clean container for safekeeping.

How We Treat Broken Dentures Minor damage, like a small crack, can usually be addressed at our office. If your denture has split down the middle, however, then we will need to have a new one made.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Loose Permanent Tooth  

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, especially since there’s a chance that the tooth could fall out completely! So, don’t wait – schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Worcester right away.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth To prevent the tooth from loosening further, don’t wiggle it with your tongue, touch it with your finger, or chew on that side of your mouth.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth Fortunately, a dental splint can often provide the support needed to help the tooth heal back in place. If that’s not an option, then we will likely need to extract the tooth before replacing it with a dental bridge or implant.

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? Soft tissue injuries like these do require your immediate attention, but they can usually be handled at home in a few simple steps.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue First, go to the sink and use clean, cool water to gently rinse the cut. Then, use a damp washcloth (or gauze, if you have it) to apply pressure. Once the bleeding stops, you can use a cold compress to alleviate lingering soreness and inflammation.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue Cuts to the gums, lips, and tongue are usually minor enough that they can be handled at home. That said, you should go to the ER if you’re bleeding uncontrollably, you’re having trouble breathing, or you’re experiencing any other potentially life-threatening symptoms.

Jaw Pain  

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? Jaw pain doesn’t typically warrant same-day care. That said, you shouldn’t hesitate to call us, especially if your discomfort has progressed to the point where it’s negatively impacting your ability to sleep, eat, or concentrate.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain To help alleviate your discomfort until your appointment, we recommend using a cold compress, taking OTC pain medication, and avoiding crunchy foods, like whole apples, raw almonds, and hard pretzels.

How We Treat Jaw Pain That depends entirely on the root of the problem! If it’s your wisdom teeth, for example, then we will extract them. If it’s chronic teeth grinding, then we will have a custom nightguard made for you.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

Something Stuck Between the Teeth  

Did a piece of food get lodged between your teeth? If so, don’t reach for something sharp, like a toothpick, since this can push it further into place. Instead, rinse your mouth with warm saltwater and use a clean strand of floss to remove the debris.