Emergency Dentist Braintree

Get the Care You Need from a Team You Trust

We understand that accidents can happen, leaving you in pain and anxious about the issue you’re experiencing becoming worse. That’s why Dr. Salem and our multidisciplinary team of specialists offer same-day care whenever possible for emergency situations. If you have out-of-the-ordinary symptoms or dental discomfort, don’t hesitate to call our office directly to get the timely care you need and deserve from our emergency dentists in Braintree.

Why Choose Dr. George Salem and Associates, PC of Braintree for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day Emergency Appointments When Available
  • Multiple Flexible Payment Options
  • Expertly Administered Dental Sedation

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Woman wincing and holding her jaw needing emergency dentist in Braintree
  1. Call Us: It can be difficult to know what situation requires emergency treatment, which is why we always recommend calling our team whenever you’re in doubt. Our knowledgeable and friendly front desk staff can schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible. We’ll also provide you with over-the-phone first aid guidance to keep the problem from progressing any further.
  2. Come In: As soon as you arrive at our office, we’ll jump into action collecting any necessary diagnostic images and examining your teeth and gums. Based on our findings, we can diagnose the problem at-hand and explain it to you.
  3. Get Treated: Once we make a diagnosis, we can create a customized treatment plan that we can walk you through, so you know exactly what to expect. We’ll also answer any questions you may have before moving forward with our recommended course of action.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Below, we have outlined some of the most common dental emergencies that we treat. Regardless of whether your specific situation is listed, we invite you to call our office if you find that you may need emergency dental care.

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Woman talking to dentist holding jaw in pain

If you’ve developed an oral issue that requires immediate attention, the last thing you want to worry about is how much it will cost to repair. However, many patients fear that they might not be able to afford the required services and want to know what to expect in advance.

Several factors can affect your invoice, so we can’t provide detailed information until our Dr. George Salem and Associates team can examine you. Then, we’ll recommend appropriate treatment plans and provide pricing based on our findings. Continue reading to learn more about how the cost of dental emergencies is calculated, and feel free to contact us for additional information.

Every Dental Emergency is Unique

Dentist showing patient her dental x-rays

It’s practically impossible to provide an accurate idea of what you can expect to pay for your dental emergency until we’ve identified the issue and can suggest potential solutions. Some problems can be handled effectively with relatively non-invasive and cost-effective options. For instance, a toothache from a cavity might only require a tooth-colored filling to fix the damage.

However, other more severe concerns may need more complicated and involved procedures, like a root canal to remove infection from a decayed or injured tooth. If you require additional restorations or replacement teeth, that can also increase the total due.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Fingers zooming in on “Dental Insurance” on a tablet

Most dental insurance policies include provisions for urgent scenarios; for example, many plans include one complimentary emergency exam per year. Other major services that might be required, like root canal therapy, extractions, and restorations, often receive anywhere from 50% to 80% coverage. Every plan is different, though, so it’s worth checking your details to know what’s available to you.

Please let us know if you’re struggling to find the information or need assistance with insurance claims or paperwork. Our friendly office staff are familiar with many providers and can help you maximize your benefits.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Model tooth next to calculator on dollar bills

We know that many patients don’t carry dental insurance, but we don’t want your budget to keep you from receiving smile-saving care you deserve. To make emergency services more affordable, we’ve partnered with a third-party financer, CareCredit. If your application is approved, this program allows you to break up your total invoice into more manageable monthly installments that won’t break the bank.

Preventative Care Can Save You Money

Man in blue shirt in dental chair smiling at dentist holding clipboard

Although some dental emergencies simply can’t be avoided, most of them result from decay, disease, or other injuries that were never addressed and could have been prevented. Investing in basic dental visits every six months allows our team to monitor your condition so that we can catch and treat any areas of concern before they progress.

Plus, most dental insurance policies include up to 100% of the cost of routine checkups and cleanings to encourage more people to develop healthy habits. That means scheduling regular appointments can preserve your grin and conserve your finances!  

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Woman holding her hand to her face in pain talking to dentist

Dental problems don’t usually resolve themselves and tend to only get worse over time, meaning that many emergencies likely could have been prevented. Investing in regular checkups and maintaining healthy habits now can avoid a potentially urgent situation to save you time, frustration, discomfort, and additional expenses to treat a problem that was allowed to progress.

Continue reading to learn a few easy ways you can safeguard your smile in the future, and feel free to contact us with any questions.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Large model tooth next to a calendar with the 15th circled in red to indicate appointment

Visiting us every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning allows us to monitor your dental condition so we can catch and address any areas of concern before they do real harm. For example, if you show signs of weakening enamel, we can apply a topical fluoride treatment to strengthen the protective outer layer of your teeth before bacteria cause cavities.

We also screen the soft tissues of your mouth for oral cancer to preserve your dental and overall well-being.

Practice Consistent Hygiene Habits at Home

Woman in white robe brushing teeth at bathroom mirror

Regularly cleaning your teeth at home is essential to any preventative dental care routine. You should brush for a full two minutes twice daily, followed by flossing and rinsing with mouthwash. This is a simple but effective way to eradicate plaque and unhealthy germs that contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues.

Enjoy a Nutritious Diet

Healthy foods on a white table in the shape of a heart

The food choices you make have a very real impact on the health of your teeth and gums. For instance, sugar attracts microbes that work in tandem with acids from the food you eat to erode your enamel, leading to cavities. Plus, darkly pigmented ingredients like coffee, tea, wine, berries, and tomatoes can leave stains behind.

To keep your grin looking and feeling great, why not opt for more wholesome meals that support your mouth? Dairy products like cheese and yogurt contain calcium for strong teeth and bones, while citrus fruits and leafy greens have high vitamin C content for healthy connective tissues.

Wear a Mouthguard

Several colorful mouthguards on an orange background

Chips, cracks, and other injuries that compromise the structure of your teeth leave them vulnerable to potential additional harm, like breaking further or becoming infected. If you participate in team sports or other close-contact or high-impact activities, we can provide a custom-fitted mouthguard to safeguard your smile if you take a blow to the face.

Unfortunately, chronic teeth grinding (bruxism) can also cause issues like fractures, overly worn enamel, and even bite misalignments. Wearing a nightguard shields you from all the added pressure of constantly clenching down.

Don’t Use Teeth as Tools

Woman opening a box at a table by her kitchen

If you’ve ever felt tempted to tear open a letter or break the seal of a package with your teeth, you’re not alone. Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, so you might think it’s safe to use them in this capacity.

However, your teeth are intended to bite into and grind food, not inanimate objects. You can avoid possible problems by taking a few minutes to locate the right tool for the job instead, like scissors or a letter opener.

More to Explore

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Toothaches  

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency? Patients often assume that toothaches don’t warrant an emergency visit. The reality is that there are several cases where they do! If your pain has lasted for more than 24 hours, there is a pimple-like bump on your gums, or you’re dealing with persistent sensitivity, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact our Braintree dental team ASAP.

How You Should Handle a Toothache We mentioned an important to-do above: contacting us to schedule an appointment. In addition to that, we recommend avoiding crunchy foods, rinsing periodically with warm saltwater, and, if needed, taking OTC pain medication as instructed.

How We Treat Toothaches Toothaches are often the result of cavities, which can be treated with tooth-colored fillings and dental crowns. There are some cases where the root of the problem is an infection. In that case, root canal treatment is needed to restore the look, health, and function of your tooth.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Chipped Teeth  

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? Chipped teeth do warrant a visit to our office. That said, patients with small chips can usually wait a day or two for an appointment, if needed.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth In addition to avoiding crunchy, hard, and sticky foods, patients with a chipped tooth should cover the sharp edge with some sugar-free gum to avoid a soft tissue injury.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth Veneers and cosmetic dental bonding are two common solutions for chipped teeth. The one we recommend for you will depend on a few key factors, including the extent of the damage. Don’t worry – we will review the pros of each at your appointment, answer any questions you have, and help you decide which one is best for you.

Cracked Tooth  

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? If there is a small, hairline crack in your enamel, you may not need to come to our office the same day. If, however, it is more substantial in size or you’re in pain, then you should visit us ASAP for the necessary restorative care.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth First, do NOT chew on that side of your mouth, eat anything hot/cold, or touch the tooth with your finger. Instead, do what you can to protect your tooth from breaking further, like eating plain yogurt and other foods that require little-to-no chewing.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth There are some cases where a dental crown can be used to treat a cracked tooth. Other times, the damage is so severe that we need to extract the tooth. In that case, we will also replace it with a dental bridge, denture, or dental implant.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Very Sensitive Teeth  

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? Sometimes, yes! For example, if you are experiencing dental sensitivity, but you haven’t eaten anything hot or cold, then a decayed tooth may be the root of the problem. So, don’t wait – contact us ASAP to share what’s going on.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth First, avoid doing anything that will exacerbate your symptoms, like drinking hot coffee. Second, switch to a desensitizing toothpaste and, if that doesn’t work, take OTC pain medication as directed until your appointment.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth Cavities can be treated with tooth-colored fillings, dental crowns, and root canals. That said, sometimes dental sensitivity is the result of something else, like an infection in your gums. In that case, we will need to intervene with gum disease treatment right away.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

LEARN MORE ABOUT GUM DISEASE TREATMENT

Knocked-Out Tooth  

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, a knocked-out tooth is without a doubt a dental emergency. So, don’t hesitate to contact our Braintree dental team to schedule an emergency appointment. Over the phone, we’ll guide you through what to do in the meantime so you experience as little stress and anxiety as possible.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth Scheduling an appointment with us ASAP is important because there is only a small window of time when your tooth can be saved. It’s also important to place the tooth back in its socket or in a clean container filled with milk so the root surface cells are preserved.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth Ideally, we will be able to save your tooth. If that’s not possible because the tooth was badly damaged or lost, don’t worry – we can replace it with a custom-made, lifelike, and long-lasting dental implant.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Lost Filling or Crown  

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? Patients often assume that emergency visits are only necessary if they are in pain. That’s not the case! Without your dental filling or crown securely in place, your tooth is at risk of breaking or developing an infection, so don’t put off scheduling an appointment.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown In addition to giving us a call to schedule an appointment, we recommend not chewing on that side of your mouth and, if possible, preserving your restoration by placing it in a small, clean container.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns Both lost fillings and lost crowns can be replaced. If you have your dental crown and it’s in good condition, then we may be able to re-cement it back in place as well. Ultimately, the treatment we recommend will depend on several factors unique to your case, including the type of restoration that was damaged and how old it is.

Broken Denture

  • Is a broken denture a dental emergency? Broken dentures could harm your gums, oral tissue, and jaw if you continue to wear them. We consider broken dentures to be a dental emergency, so call us right away and we’ll be happy to repair them.
  • How to handle a broken denture: Don’t resort to denture repair kits or do-it-yourself solutions. Instead, schedule an appointment with our office, and we’ll see you as soon as possible.
  • How we treat broken dentures: Sometimes we can simply make small adjustments to ensure your dentures fit comfortably in your mouth. Other times, we have to replace the denture entirely. It all depends on the severity of the damage.

Learn More About Tooth Replacements

Learn More About Dental Implants

Loose Permanent Tooth

  • Are loose permanent teeth a dental emergency? Typically, teeth become loose due to injury or severe gum disease and are at risk of falling out – they’re definitely a dental emergency!
  • How you should handle a loose permanent tooth: It’s very important not to touch or wiggle your loose tooth. Schedule an emergency appointment with your Braintree dental team and let us take care of you!
  • How we treat loose permanent teeth: Depending on what loosened your tooth, we might make a splint for it out of resin and wire. If gum disease is involved, we have several advanced treatments for restoring your oral health and your tooth’s structural support. Whatever the case may be, we’ll do our best to save your loose tooth!

Learn More About Dental Implants

Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

  • Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency? Not all injuries are necessarily dental emergencies, but oral bleeding and cuts can be alarming. Give our office a call and explain your symptoms, and we’ll walk you through first-aid steps and help you schedule an appointment if necessary.
  • How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: Generally, you should start by gently cleaning the area. Gauze or soft cloth can be used to staunch any bleeding, and cold compresses work wonders on swelling.
  • How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: If your cut is small, we can stitch it for you. However, if your cut is large, deep, or doesn’t stop bleeding after ten minutes of applied pressure, go to the ER!

Learn More About Dental Restorations

Jaw Pain

  • Is jaw pain a dental emergency? Jain pain is not always a dental emergency. However, if your pain is consistent, that could indicate something’s wrong with your teeth or bite alignment. In this scenario, it’s best to call our office so we can assess the problem.
  • How you should handle jaw pain: Over-the-counter pain relievers and a cold compress can alleviate your discomfort while we arrange your appointment.
  • How we treat jaw pain: Once again, it will depend on what’s causing your pain. If the problem is bite or dental misalignment, for example, we might be able to treat it with orthodontics. In the case of impacted wisdom teeth, however, we might recommend an extraction.

Learn More About Orthodontics

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

You might get debris stuck in your teeth due to completely mundane circumstances. Not every popcorn kernel lodged between your pearly whites is a dental emergency! However, if the debris is a dangerous or pointy object, or if you can’t get it out after some dedicated flossing and rinsing, give us a call. We’ll provide next-step guidance and remove the object if necessary.