Emergency Dentist – Worcester, MA
Reliable Same-Day Emergency Dental Care for the Whole Family
Whether your child just took their first tumble while learning how to ride a bike or your dental crown broke off while enjoying your favorite daily snack, our dental team at Community Dentists of Worcester is here for you when you need us the most. We offer same-day emergency dentistry appointments to help restore the health and look of your smile. Give our gentle emergency dentist in Worcester, MA a call if you ever find yourself requiring urgent dental care!
Why Choose Community Dentists of Worcester for Emergency Dentistry?
- Emergency Appointments Available
- We Accept Medicaid/MassHealth
- Comprehensive Dentistry for Patients of All Ages
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
The first step you should always take in the midst of a dental emergency is to call our dental office. We’ll provide you with over-the-phone first aid guidance and schedule a visit for you as soon as possible. Once you arrive, we’ll conduct a visual examination of your mouth and capture X-rays, if necessary. After we’ve diagnosed the issue at hand, we’ll walk you through our proposed treatment plan and get your OK to begin restoring your smile. Before you leave, our team will schedule any necessary follow-up visits with you.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
If you aren’t sure whether your situation constitutes as a dental emergency, then give us a call. We see patients for all types of reasons, from broken restorations to an object lodged between their teeth, and we’ll let you know whether you should come in today or within the week.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
The only way we can determine the cost of your dental emergency in Worcester is to examine the problem first so we can come up with a treatment plan. Our team is happy to accept MassHealth and works with dental insurance companies to help you get the most bang for your buck. If you have any concerns about cost, please don’t hesitate to ask our staff – we’ll do everything we can to get you the care you need while meeting your budget.
Why Every Dental Emergency is Different
Above, we mentioned that we need to conduct an exam before we can provide you with an estimate of the cost. That’s because we have to know what the root of the problem is first. In some cases, it’s a small cavity. Other times, it’s a severe infection or a large crack in your enamel. Each of these dental injuries requires different treatments, and we will customize yours to ensure you leave our office with a smile that looks, feels, and functions perfectly.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
In addition to accepting MassHealth, our team at Community Dentists of Worcester is in-network with several popular providers, including Guardian, Humana, Mass Health, and Principal. So, if you have dental insurance but you aren’t familiar with your benefits, don’t hesitate to ask us for help! We can take a look at the fine print to see if you have a free emergency exam or a discount on restorative services. We’ll also take any red tape into account, like waiting periods, and provide you with an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses. Ultimately, our goal is to make utilizing your available benefits as easy as possible.
Other Ways to Make Dental Emergencies Affordable
Patients without dental insurance can take advantage of the other financial solutions available at our Worcester office! The first is CareCredit, which prevents you from having to pay for the entire cost of your emergency dental care at once. The second is our periodic specials, which are created with the goal of keeping our patients’ out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum. If you want to learn more about either of these options, let us know; we’d be happy to answer any questions you have!
How Caring for Your Smile Helps You Save
Oftentimes, patients don’t think about emergency dental care (or the associated costs) until they are already in our chair. However, you can protect your smile and your wallet with a few healthy habits in place. Some examples include coming in twice a year for a checkup and cleaning, brushing and flossing consistently at home, wearing a mouthguard during sports, and not using tobacco products.
We know that patients often experience stress, anxiety, and nerves stemming from the cost. That’s why we go the extra mile to make navigating the financial side of your care as easy as possible.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Sadly, there’s no way you can completely avoid experiencing a dental emergency. There are, however, some preventive measures you can take to reduce your chances of ending up in your emergency dentist’s treatment chair. Keep reading to learn a few of our recommendations!
Visit Your Dentist Twice a Year for a Checkup and Cleaning
Remember, even if you brush and floss consistently, it’s possible for plaque and tartar to build up. It’s also possible for oral cancer, tooth decay, and gum disease to develop under the radar. That’s why it’s so important that you come to our Worcester dental office every six months for a dental checkup and teeth cleaning.
Tip: If you start to experience abnormal dental symptoms between visits, like pain when chewing your food, then get in touch with us ASAP!
Brush, Floss, and Rinse with Mouthwash Consistently
Of course, you need to take great care of your smile at home too. That way, your risk of damaged restorations, cavities, and other common oral health problems is significantly less. Make sure that, in addition to brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently, you don’t go on autopilot in the process. It’s important that you focus on thoroughly removing food particles, plaque, and other debris from your teeth, tongue, and gumline.
Maintain a Balanced Diet
It’s no secret that sugar is one of the leading causes of cavities. However, that’s not the only way what you eat can impact your oral health. Extremely crunchy foods, like hard pretzels, increase the risk of a chip, crack, or fracture, which is why we recommend avoiding them. Instead, stick to a well-balanced diet filled with nutrient-dense foods, like plain yogurt, oatmeal, and scrambled eggs.
Wear a Mouthguard During Sports
Wearing a mouthguard while participating in sports like football and soccer is essential. We also recommend wearing one if you rollerblade, run, skateboard, or lift weights. That way, your teeth are protected from impact, grinding, and clenching, reducing your risk of a dental emergency in the process.
Tip: If you don’t have a mouthguard, schedule an appointment with us so we can have a custom one made!
Break Bad Habits
Just like smoking can wreak havoc on your teeth and gums, biting your nails can damage your enamel and chewing on ice cubes can lead to a fracture. For those reasons, we strongly recommend breaking bad habits, even if you haven’t run into any issues yet. It may be difficult, but your effort could save your smile and your wallet!
Dental Emergency FAQs
What Does Throbbing Tooth Pain Mean?
Throbbing tooth pain could be due to everything from a crack in your enamel to a severe infection. It’s never good news, which is why we recommend scheduling an emergency exam with our Worcester dental team ASAP. From there, we can pinpoint the root of the problem, review your treatment options, and provide the necessary restorative care to alleviate your discomfort in the short and long term.
Will a Toothache Go Away on Its Own?
You might be surprised to hear that your toothache can go away with time. However, that’s not the good news you think it is; the root of the problem is still present. That’s why it’s so important that you consider other abnormal symptoms, like a pimple-like bump on your gums, persistent sensitivity, or dark discoloration on the tooth. Providing the care you need as early as possible is crucial because it ensures that we can take the most conservative approach to alleviate your pain and restore your tooth.
How Should I Sleep with Tooth Pain?
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to alleviate your discomfort from home, starting with taking OTC pain medication as directed. You should also steer clear of hot/cold drinks, eat plain foods, like yogurt, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth, and keep your head elevated throughout the night.
Important note: You shouldn’t use these tips in an attempt to avoid getting the dental care you need. These are solely for short-term relief, so you can get a good night’s sleep prior to your appointment with us.
Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?
Patients often assume that they should go to the ER if they are in pain. While that’s usually the case, hospitals don’t typically have dentists on staff. So, they can’t treat cavities, cracks in your enamel, and other common dental injuries. That’s why it’s best to only go to the ER if you’re experiencing potentially life-threatening symptoms, like difficulty breathing, uncontrollable bleeding, or trouble swallowing. Outside of that, your first call should be to your dentist.
Do I Need to Go to The Dentist for A Small Chip in My Tooth?
Even if the chip is minor, there’s a chance that it could break further or an infection can develop. For that reason, we recommend getting in touch with our Worcester dental team, even if you aren’t in pain. From there, we can conduct an oral exam and, if necessary, review your treatment options, like dental bonding.
Is It Safe to Repair Dentures with Superglue?
No, dentures should not be repaired with superglue. Although effective, this adhesive isn’t meant for dentures. In fact, it contains toxins that are not safe to ingest, which can negatively impact your overall health as well. Simply put, if you have a crack in your dentures, don’t use something you have at home to try and remedy the situation – contact us to schedule an appointment!
I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I am Missing One or More Teeth I Need Periodontal TreatmentI Want to Enhance My SmileI Want a Straighter SmileI Need a Dentist For My ChildView Our Services
