Book Book Online Like Us Like us on Facebook Reviews Read Our Reviews Call Give us a Call Map View our Map
Book Online

Emergency Dentist — Lebanon, NH

Broken Tooth? In Pain? We’re Here to Help!

Maybe you’ve suddenly tripped on the sidewalk and chipped a tooth, or maybe a dull discomfort in the back of the mouth has suddenly blossomed into searing pain. No matter what the specific circumstances are, every dental emergency patient has something in common – they need help NOW.

At Santavicca Dental Professionals, we understand that these situations are never convenient or timely. Nonetheless, we’re fully committed to your health and wellbeing and will accommodate dental emergencies in Lebanon as soon as possible. New and current patients are both welcome, so please don’t hesitate to contact us for further assistance.

If you are in pain or need help, don’t hesitate to give us a call right away!

Why Choose Santavicca Dental Professionals for Emergency Dental Care?

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Pained man should visit his Lebanon emergency dentist

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency can be a frightening situation, but the last thing you should do is panic. Give our office a call and describe the situation. We will give you guidance on your next steps. We may say that you should come to our office right away, that you should visit the local emergency room, or that it is all right if you wait a day or two before you visit us.

Before you receive professional attention, there may be some steps you can take on your own to manage the situation. Below, we provide a few details about what you can do to handle a few of the most common dental emergencies in order to lessen your pain and minimize the damage to your oral and overall health.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Woman gives thumbs up while visiting her Lebanon emergency dentist

The team of doctors and other staff here at Santavicca Dental Professionals is always ready to help you if you face a dental emergency. However, we would prefer that you never have to deal with such a situation in the first place. While some urgent oral health crises are inevitable, many others could have been prevented with a few precautionary measures. That is why we have put together this basic guide to help you drastically reduce the chances that you will have to endure a dental emergency.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home

Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss for preventing dental emergencies in Lebanon

Plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth lead to decay, and dental decay is often a precursor of a dental emergency. To prevent plaque and tartar from building up on your teeth, you should:

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Do not forget to brush the backs of your teeth and the area around the gum line.
  • Floss once a day. Be sure to use proper technique. Your dental hygienist can provide you with personalized coaching.
  • Drink plenty of water to rinse away food particles and bacteria.
  • Visit your dentist regularly (at least twice a year) for routine cleanings and checkups.

Limit Your Sugar Intake

Woman choosing apple over donuts to prevent dental emergencies in Lebanon

Sugar is a primary cause of tooth decay. It is best to limit how much of it you include in your diet. Also, acidic beverages, such as soda and fruit juices, can wear away at the tooth enamel, so you should be mindful of how much of them you consume. In addition to avoiding foods that are not tooth-friendly, you should eat plenty of calcium-rich items to help fortify your teeth, such as cheese, milk, and broccoli.

Don’t Chew on Hard Objects

Man chewing on pen headed for dental emergencies in Lebanon

Tooth enamel is extremely hard, but it is also brittle; it can easily break if it encounters hard objects. Therefore, it is best to avoid habits like chewing on ice or biting down on hard candy. You should also not use your teeth on non-edible items. For example, you should never use your teeth as a tool to open packages or take the tags off of clothing. To help you avoid doing such things, you might find it beneficial to carry a small pair of scissors or a pocketknife with you.

Play & Sleep Safely

Man wearing mouthguard to prevent dental emergencies in Lebanon

If you like to play sports, you should always wear a mouthguard while you are on the field are court — even if you are playing a “non-contact” sport. You can purchase mouthguards from most sporting goods stores, but custom ones from a dentist offer the highest level of protection.

If you suffer from bruxism (involuntarily teeth grinding), you should invest in a different type of teeth guard — a nightguard. It will stop the teeth from contacting one another while you sleep and prevent the wear and tear that bruxism can cause.

Dental Emergency FAQs

Woman in white shirt, thinking about questions related to dental emergencies

The team at Santavicca Dental Professionals is ready to leap into action to help you cope with your dental emergency in Lebanon. However, the ultimate outcome of an oral health problem depends largely on you. That is why we have compiled answers to some commonly asked questions about dental emergencies. Hopefully, what you find will equip you to handle urgent situations in the best way possible. If you do not see the information you were specifically looking for, give us a call and we will be happy to assist you.

Will My Toothache Go Away on Its Own?

Teeth cannot heal themselves. Therefore, toothaches generally do not go away on their own. However, there are some exceptions. If pain is coming from somewhere near a tooth, rather than the tooth itself, your discomfort might disappear without treatment. This might happen if you have a sinus infection or a minor gum injury.

Another reason why a toothache might suddenly vanish is if the nerve inside the tooth dies and is no longer able to send pain signals to the brain. However, the infection that cause the toothache in the first place may still be present and continue to threaten your oral and overall health. Without treatment, you could suffer significant damage to your jawbone or even develop systemic illness.

Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?

Unfortunately, most emergency departments in hospitals do not have the equipment or qualified personnel to address dental emergencies. They might just tell you to take some pain relievers and visit your dentist as soon as possible. However, you should go to the emergency room if you are experiencing any severe or life-threatening problems, such as a broken jaw, difficulty breathing, a high fever along with a toothache, or a soft tissue injury that is bleeding excessively.

What Does Throbbing Tooth Pain Mean?

In most cases, throbbing tooth pain points to an infection within a tooth. An infection can cause inflammation in the tooth’s pulp (the sensitive tissue in a tooth’s center that contains nerves). This usually occurs when decay or damage allows bacteria to sneak into the tooth’s interior. A tooth infection is a serious problem that requires prompt treatment. Otherwise, the infection could spread and cause systemic illness.

Another possible reason for throbbing tooth pain is bruxism (grinding and clenching). Since bruxism often occurs during sleep, many people are not aware that they do it. Unlike an infection, bruxism-related pain usually occurs across several teeth rather than a highly localized area.

What Should I Keep in My Emergency Dentistry Kit?

Here are some items that can help you deal effectively with almost any dental emergency:

  • A small storage container with a lid
  • Sterile gloves
  • Dressing, gauze pads, and cotton balls
  • An ice pack
  • Dental cement
  • An oral anesthetic
  • Pain medication
  • Dental floss
  • Your dental insurance information
  • Contact information for your dentist
  • An updated list of your current medications and medical conditions
More to Explore

Preventive Dentistry Restorative Dentistry Dental Implants Cosmetic Dentistry Periodontal Therapy TMJ/TMD Therapy Sedation Dentistry Technology View Our Services

Toothaches

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency?

A toothache in Lebanon can be a symptom of numerous dental problems, some of which are relatively minor, others of which are quite serious. Here are some signs that your toothache requires emergency care:

  • You are experiencing severe or throbbing pain that interferes with your daily life.
  • There is a pimple-like bump on your gums.
  • There is visible damage to a tooth.
  • A tooth is daker than the ones around it.

How You Should Handle a Toothache

Rinsing your mouth with warm water can clear out any debris. Flossing may also help. It is fine to take painkillers, but do not place aspirin directly on the gums because doing so could cause irritation. If there is a bump on the gums, do not attempt to pop it.

How We Treat Toothaches

We will perform a visual examination and perhaps take some X-Rays to determine why your tooth is hurting. Then, we will be able to recommend a treatment. In some cases, a small filling is all that is necessary. In other cases, root canal therapy or gum disease treatment is required. If the damage to the tooth is particularly severe, we may recommend extraction as the best course of action.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment

Chipped Tooth

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A chipped tooth is not usually an urgent emergency. However, you should still seek care as soon as you can because the damage to your tooth could easily worsen. Its rough edges might also irritate the nearby soft tissues.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth

Rinsing your mouth with warm water can clean the area, while a cold compress on your face may minimize swelling. If the tooth’s sharp edges are bothering you, you can cover them with a piece of sugar-free gum.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth

In most cases, dental bonding is able to repair a chip. The process is quick and painless, and it produces natural-looking results. However, the bonding may last for just a few years. If you are interested in a more permanent fix, you may be eligible for a veneer instead. Veneers have the potential to last for well over a decade.

Learn More About Dental Bonding

Learn More About Veneers

Cracked Tooth

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A minor crack is non-urgent, but severe damage requires immediate attention from an emergency dentist in Lebanon. Keep in mind that not all cracks are visible; they can occur beneath the gumline or between teeth. Really, anytime you suspect that a tooth has suffered damage, you should schedule a dental appointment.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth

Rinse your mouth with warm water to clear out any debris. If there is swelling, a cold compress may help. Try to avoid doing anything that could worsen the damage to the tooth, such as eating hard foods.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth

In cases of minor damage, we may be able to repair a cracked tooth in Lebanon with tooth-colored resin (dental bonding). If the problem is more severe, you might need root canal therapy and a crown to hold the tooth together. In some cases of extensive damage, extraction is necessary.

Learn More About Dental Bonding

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency?

Dental sensitivity may signal a minor or serious oral health problem. If you experience any new or severe sensitivity, you should certainly call your dentist right away.

How You Should Handle Sensitive Teeth

Give us a call and describe what you are feeling. We may give you tips on at-home care, or we might urge you to come in for an appointment. Avoiding hot and cold foods, being gentle when you brush, and taking other simple steps at home may help to lessen the sensitivity.

How We Treat Tooth Sensitivity

We will strive to determine the cause of the problem before we recommend a treatment. If gum disease has exposed sensitive tooth roots, you may need periodontal therapy or a gum graft. If your tooth enamel is weak, a topical fluoride treatment or desensitizing toothpaste might help. If an infection is to blame, you might need antibiotics and root canal therapy.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Gum Disease Therapy

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is a Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A lost tooth in Lebanon is one of the most urgent dental emergencies. To increase the chances that the tooth can be saved, you should receive treatment within an hour or so of it getting knocked out.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth

Touching the tooth only by its top portion, rinse off any debris. Then, find a way to keep it moist. Ideally, you should place it back in its socket or tuck it between your cheek and gums. If neither of those are possible, store it in milk or use a tooth preservation kit with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. You should not store it in plain water because it could damage the tooth.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth

If the tooth is still viable, your emergency dentist in Lebanon may be able to replant it. Once it is splinted into place, your body should reintegrate it over time. However, if saving the tooth is not possible, we will tend the damage to your mouth and urge you to protect your future oral health by getting the tooth replaced. You might choose to get a dental implant, bridge, or denture.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency?

A lost filling or lost dental crown in Lebanon is not a particularly urgent emergency. However, you should still seek care promptly because the exposed tooth could easily incur further harm.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown

You might be able to temporarily reattach a lost crown with toothpaste or denture adhesive. However, you should not try to force it onto the tooth if it does not want to fit. You should also avoid doing anything that might harm the tooth, such as eating hard or sticky foods.

How We Lost Fillings or Crowns

If your restoration has not suffered too much damage, we might be able to recement it into place. However, that is not always possible. You may need an entirely new restoration. If the condition of your tooth has worsened since it first received a restoration, you might need to undergo other restorative treatments as well.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Metal-Free Dental Crowns

Broken Denture

Is a Broken Denture a Dental Emergency?

Wearing a broken denture in Lebanon may damage your mouth, while not wearing your denture at all can affect your ability to eat and smile with confidence. You should see your dentist as soon as possible.

How to Handle a Broken Denture

Do not try to repair the denture on your own; you might accidentally worsen the damage. You should also not try to wear the denture. Instead, store it someplace safe until you bring it to our office.

How We Treat Broken Dentures

In some cases, we are able to repair broken dentures in-house. Most of the time, though, it is necessary to design an entirely new prosthetic. If you require a new denture, you might view this is an opportunity to upgrade to implant-supported tooth replacement.

Learn More About Dental Implants

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A loose tooth in Lebanon is in danger of falling out altogether, so you should certainly seek care as soon as possible.

How You Should Handle a Loose Permanent Tooth

Avoid doing anything that might cause the tooth to become even looser. For example, you should not eat hard foods or wiggle the tooth with your fingers or tongue.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth

We might be able to stabilize the tooth so your body can regain a firm hold on it. However, it is also possible that extraction will be necessary. You may be able to replace the tooth later with a 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?

Whether they happen during sports or other activities, soft tissue injuries in the mouth can be mild or severe. They sometimes merit an emergency dental appointment.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Gently clean the area with water, and use a clean washcloth or a piece of gauze to control bleeding. A cold compress may minimize swelling. If you are bleeding excessively or have other serious injuries, head to the ER right away.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

We may clean the wound and stitch it closed. We might also recommend that you invest in a custom mouthguard to reduce the risk of future injuries.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency?

Jaw pain can have numerous causes, some of which require a visit to an emergency dentist in Lebanon. Any new or severe discomfort is always a reason to seek medical care.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain

Call us and describe what you are feeling. We might give you tips on at-home pain relief. For example, a cold compress and pain medication may help. It is also possible that we will urge you to come to our office or visit the local emergency room right away.

How We Treat Jaw Pain

We will strive to determine the cause of the pain before we recommend a treatment. Wisdom tooth removal, TMJ therapy, and a range of other services might be appropriate, depending on the specifics of the situation.

Learn More About TMJ Therapy

Learn More About Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

You might be tempted to use a sharp object, like a toothpick, tweezers, or a knife, to poke the debris out from between your teeth. However, doing so is an unwise idea because you might accidentally injure yourself. Instead, swish vigorously with water. You can also use dental floss. Tie a knot in the floss, insert the floss between your teeth, and move it back and forth, trying to use the knot to knock the debris out of place. If your efforts prove to be unsuccessful, give us a call. We will do everything we can to assist you.