A dental emergency can be frightening, especially when experiencing severe pain. In most cases, severe dental pain cannot be relieved without the intervention of a dentist. When dental emergencies occur with you or a family member, you must seek help immediately to save your tooth or prevent a serious situation such as an infection. If you are in pain, Drs. Arvi Duka, Adelina Duka, and the team at Framingham Family Dental Care are here to give you the relief you need. 

How to Know When to Seek Emergency Dental Care

Many dental emergencies come with excruciating pain, but not all dental emergencies cause pain. Being at risk of losing a tooth is also a dental emergency because your dentist needs to work quickly to save your tooth. 

Here are some common dental emergencies:

  • Severe mouth or jaw pain
  • Tooth infection that presents with intense pain and facial swelling
  • Loose teeth
  • Painful inflammation or swelling
  • Sudden sensitivity to hot or cold food and beverages
  • Jaw injury
  • A toothache that causes facial or jaw swelling, which can indicate an abscessed tooth

Understanding an Abscessed Tooth

You will know fairly quickly if you have an abscessed tooth, although you may not know that this is what is happening. The most important thing to remember is that an abscessed tooth is an emergency; if you don’t get help immediately, there can be serious consequences. 

An abscessed tooth typically can’t be relieved with Tylenol or ibuprofen. Seek emergency help immediately if you experience any of these symptoms with severe tooth pain:

  • Fever of more than 103 degrees
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Vomiting
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Confusion
  • Flushing
  • Dizziness

What to Do When You Have a Dental Emergency

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), more than two million people go to hospital emergency rooms every year when experiencing extreme dental pain. A solid plan is the key to being prepared for a dental emergency. 

If you suspect you have an abscessed tooth or infection, seek care immediately. For other dental emergencies, there are some steps you can follow. Pain relief for mild dental pain can be found if you swish warm salt water around in your mouth.

You can also use a topical numbing agent such as Oragel, which you can buy at supermarkets, big box stores, and pharmacies. Additionally, ice packs can be applied to the side of your face to provide relief from pain and swelling. 

If a tooth falls out or is knocked out, try to keep the tooth attached in the empty socket until you can see a dentist. Use moistened gauze to hold the tooth in place. If you can’t do that, put the tooth in a glass of milk to keep it preserved.

Emergency Dentist Near Me Marlborough, Massachusetts

Do you need immediate tooth pain relief? Drs. Arvi Duka, Adelina Duka, and the Framingham Family Dental Care team can accommodate patients from Marlborough, Massachusetts, and areas nearby with same-day dental appointments. Give us a call today at (508) 665-2016 to learn more about our services.