Emergency Dental Care in Annandale, NJ

Though we do all we can to prevent them, accidents unfortunately still happen – and often when we least expect them. Dental trauma can be painful and emotionally overwhelming. Fortunately, our doctors at Walnut Pond Dental in Annandale, NJ provide emergency care when the unexpected happens. Drs. Carson Ferris-Zeolla and Victoria Uryniak are skilled and knowledgeable, and are trained to handle a dental emergency with expertise and compassion. Our team is committed to our patients’ wellbeing. We will do everything we can to alleviate your dental pain so you can enjoy life again.

Do I Need Emergency Dental Care?

First and foremost, if you are experiencing severe pain, you need to see a dentist as soon as possible. Sometimes, however, dental emergencies may not be painful. It is helpful to understand what types of situations are time-sensitive, so you can seek the care you need. Minor chips and cracks that are cosmetic in nature do not necessitate emergency care. However, if a tooth has been knocked-out, or if your tooth has sustained a deep fracture, it is important to seek assistance right away.

Common Dental Emergencies and How to Handle Them

Knowing how to hand an emergency situation before it occurs can save you a tremendous amount of time, stress, and worry. While you are on your way to our office, there are a few things you can do to alleviate discomfort and address the situation. Listed below are some of the most common dental emergencies:

• Avulsed (Knocked-Out) Tooth: A tooth can be knocked-out due to blunt force trauma such as an accident or sporting injury. If you have experienced this, retrieve the tooth if you can. After thoroughly rinsing off the tooth, place it back into the socket if possible. If this is not feasible, you can place the tooth in a cup of milk or saltwater. Immediately call our office to let us know you are on your way.
• Fractured Tooth: If a large portion of the tooth has broken off, try to locate it and bring it with you to our office. If the tooth is causing you pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
• Dental Abscess: If you experience a pimple-like area on your gum or have swelling of the jaw, it could be a dental abscess. This infection can spread to adjacent teeth and other areas of the body, so it is important to have it treated as soon as possible. Root canal therapy is often necessary to repair an abscessed tooth.
• Soft Tissue Trauma: If you experience an injury to the gums, lips, cheeks, tongue, or other surrounding oral tissues, rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution and apply gentle pressure with a piece of gauze. (A tea bag can be used if gauze is not available.) Call our office for further instruction. While not all soft tissue injuries require a dental visit, we can help you determine what should be done next.
• Lost Filling or Crown: It is important to address this issue as soon as possible, especially if you experience pain. However, if you cannot make it to our office right away, protect the area as much as possible in the meantime. For lost fillings, use a piece of dental waz. For crowns that have fallen off, place the crown back over the tooth to protect it, bonding it with an over-the-counter dental cement, if possible.
• Toothache: If you are experiencing tooth pain, a warm salt water rinse can help soothe the area. Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen can help to reduce discomfort. If swelling is present, apply a cold compress to the external surface.

Contact Walnut Pond Dental

If you are experiencing a dental emergency, contact our office. We keep extended office hours on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays for the convenience of our patients. If your emergency occurs during regular business hours, we will fit you into our schedule. Call our office at (908) 200-7007.