Emergency Dentistry Melrose

Timely Dental Care to Get You Out of Pain

Man in striped shirt rubbing jaw in pain

Whether you just knocked out a tooth, you're experiencing jaw pain due to your TMJD, or you have a toothache that's keeping you from carrying on with your day-to-day life, our team at Melrose Dental Group is here to help. We work quickly to see our patients as soon as possible, and Dr. Leno's decades of experience allow him to provide precise and quick care and diagnoses, ensuring that you find relief fast. Give our office a call today to schedule an appointment and get the fast, professional emergency dentistry in Melrose your smile needs.

Why Choose Melrose Dental Group for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available
  • Affordable & Easy-to-Use In-House Membership Plan
  • Knowledgeable Dentist with Decades of Experience

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Melrose dentist with mask looking at patient
  • Call Our Office: The first step you should always take if you find yourself in the middle of dealing with a dental emergency in Melrose is to contact our office. Once you're in touch with our team, we'll be able to provide you with helpful over-the-phone first aid guidance as well as schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible.
  • Come in for an Examination: When you arrive, our team will guide you back to one of our treatment areas. If necessary, we will capture X-rays to be able to thoroughly assess the tooth or area of the mouth causing you pain. Dr. Leno will also conduct a thorough examination of your teeth and gums in order to diagnose the problem at hand.
  • Get Treated: After making a diagnosis, Leno will share his recommended treatment plan with you with the goal of getting your oral health back on the right track and addressing any damage to your smile that may have occurred. Depending on the procedure needed, we may be able to complete the treatment the same day, or our front desk staff will schedule an upcoming visit.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

It can be difficult to tell what constitutes a dental emergency and what doesn't. If you're on the fence about calling an emergency dentist in Melrose for your situation, our team recommends browsing through the list of some of the most common problems we treat below. However, even if you don't see your specific issue listed, we still recommend giving us a call if you're experiencing oral pain or out-of-the-ordinary symptoms.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies

Dental instruments lying on stack of hundred dollar bills

The cost of visiting an emergency dentist can vary depending on several factors, like the type of dental problem you face, whether you have dental insurance or are a part of an in-house membership plan, and what type of treatment you require. When we create a treatment plan for you, our team will provide you with a cost estimate so you know exactly what to expect. To help you get the care you need, we're proud to offer an affordable membership plan that covers one emergency visit a year, as well as all yearly preventive dentistry, and we also offer financing through CareCredit.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

There’s no way to completely eliminate the risk of oral health emergencies, but there are some preventive steps you can take to minimize your risk of experiencing common dental crises. With good oral habits, you can keep your teeth healthy and strong while protecting them from injury and unnecessary erosion. Here’s a quick look at some of the best ways to prevent painful dental emergencies from the friendly team at Melrose Dental Group, but please feel free to contact our office if you’d like to know more.

Close up of man putting in a mouthguard

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Chair at dentist’s office.

The American Dental Association recommends seeing your dentist every six months for routine exams and cleanings. These appointments allow the skilled team at Melrose Dental Group to carefully evaluate your oral health, check for signs of damage and infection, and advise you as to better hygiene habits. If an oral health issue is caught early enough, we’ll be able to treat it before it can cause serious pain and damage.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene at Home

Toothbrush with paste.

Your daily oral hygiene habits are your first line of defense against infections. Be sure to brush at least twice and floss at least once daily while rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash regularly to reduce populations of harmful oral bacteria and the food residue they feed on.

Stick to a Nutritious Diet

Spread of healthy foods.

Many popular foods are heavy with sugars that can feed harmful oral bacteria and acid that erodes dental enamel on contact. Be sure to enjoy a diet that is rich in wholesome proteins, vitamins, and minerals so your teeth and gums can stay healthy and strong and always remember that water should be your primary beverage.

Wear a Mouthguard

Man wears athletic mouthguard.

If you play sports, be sure to wear an athletic mouthguard to protect your smile from falls and blows to the face. If you grind your teeth in your sleep, wear a nightguard to cushion your teeth and gums from unnecessary erosion and strain. We can provide you with a customized nightguard that offers protection far superior to similar store-bought products.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

Man uses bottle opener.

Using your teeth to chew on ice or inedible materials like wood, plastic, glass, metal, and fingernails or to open packages or bottles is a great way to break, chip, crack, and otherwise destroy them, so be sure to kick these habits. It’s much better to use an appropriate tool such as a box cutter or bottle opener.

Dental Emergency FAQs

Will my toothache go away on its own?

Sometimes a mild toothache may fade on its own, but that doesn't mean the problem is gone. Tooth pain is usually a sign of an underlying issue, such as decay, infection, or a damaged tooth. If left untreated, it could worsen and lead to more serious complications.

Even if the pain temporarily disappears, the root cause may still be sticking around. That's why it's important to schedule an appointment with us at Melrose Dental Group as soon as you notice discomfort. We'll find the issue early and help prevent more complex (and costly) treatment down the road.

Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?

In most cases, dental emergencies are best handled by our professional dental team. Emergency rooms generally aren't equipped or staffed to treat dental issues like toothaches, broken teeth, or knocked-out teeth. However, you should go to the ER if:

  • You have uncontrollable bleeding that lasts more than 10 minutes
  • You've sustained serious facial trauma, such as a broken jaw
  • You're experiencing severe swelling that affects your breathing

For everything else, contact our team right away. We keep space open in our schedule for urgent visits so you can get relief fast. We'll also give you expert advice over the phone to help you cope until you can see us.

What should I keep in my emergency dentistry kit?

Having a dental emergency kit at home or in your vehicle can help you manage pain and protect your smile until you can reach our Melrose dental office. We recommend including:

  • Gauze to stop bleeding
  • A small container to hold a knocked-out tooth or restoration
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers (avoid aspirin if there's bleeding)
  • Dental wax to cover sharp edges of broken teeth
  • Salt packets for rinsing with warm salt water
  • A small mirror and flashlight for examining your mouth

With a kit secured in an easy-to-reach place, you can apply strong first-aid strategies to protect your smile before you get to our office.

Do I need to visit for minor chips in my teeth?

Yes, even a small chip in your tooth deserves a dental exam. While it might not hurt, a chipped tooth can lead to bigger problems like enamel wear, tooth sensitivity, or even cracks.

At Melrose Dental Group, we'll give your grin a thorough exam and assess the damage before offering solutions. Getting a chip checked early can prevent the damage from getting worse, requiring more extensive work. Plus, fixing even minor cosmetic blemishes helps keep your smile looking its best and protects your long-term oral health.

More to Explore

I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I Am Worried About Gum Disease I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I Am Missing One or More Teeth I Want to Enhance My Smile View Our Services

Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? Not every toothache is an emergency, but your own could qualify if it becomes severe enough. See your emergency dentist in Melrose if it features:

  • Tooth sensitivity lasting for more than 30 seconds
  • Sharp aches from biting down
  • Intense or persistent pain for over 24 hours
  • Aching teeth that look darker than adjacent ones
  • Gum bumps near the affected tooth
  • Signs of a dental infection (swelling, fever, fatigue, etc.)

How you should handle a toothache: You can do several things to manage a toothache before your treatment. For starters, make sure to check the painful area for debris; it may be causing your ache. You should then take over-the-counter pain medicine (or rinse with salt water) if there isn’t any. These methods would ease your ache until your dental visit.

How we treat toothaches: At Melrose Dental Group, how we treat toothaches can vary from patient to patient. We’ll only make a definitive suggestion once we diagnose the underlying issue. Our team can then advise you to get a tooth-colored filling, a root canal, or gum disease treatment. These and similar options should help your pain fade quickly.

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? Most chipped teeth aren’t dental emergencies, but they still deserve timely dental care. Even if it’s very small, an untreated chip could get worse and expose your tooth’s dentin or pulp. That could result in severe oral damage and tooth decay.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: To handle a chipped tooth at home, you should do three things. The first step is to find the chipped piece (if it fell out) and store it in a clean container. Step two is to rinse your mouth with warm water; it’ll remove harmful microbes and shards. Your final move should be to avoid using the injured tooth for a while.

How we treat chipped teeth: Our treatments for chipped teeth vary from patient to patient; your own will depend on the damage to your tooth. For example, we could fix your chip with dental bonding if it’s small enough. Our team could also hide the chip with a dental veneer for a more cosmetic-focused approach.

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? A tooth with only a slight crack isn’t in serious danger, so the problem isn’t urgent. However, a severe or heavy crack needs immediate care; it could cause a tooth infection. You’ll also need to pay close attention – not all cracks are visible. If your tooth seems to ache suddenly or for no reason, it may have a hidden crack.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: Before your final treatment, you can take several steps to manage your cracked tooth. The first one is to rinse your mouth with warm water; it’ll remove harmful microbes from the area. Next, rely on pain relievers or a cold compress to ease aches or swelling. You can also prevent further danger by not chewing with or near the tooth.

How we treat cracked teeth: Our practice can treat cracked teeth with several procedures. If the damage is minor, we’ll often rely on cosmetic dental bonding, which applies resin to hide the crack from view. We also fix moderate to severe cracks with dental crowns, ensuring the problem area is hidden and protected. The final option is a tooth extraction that removes and replaces the cracked tooth with a prosthetic.

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? While minor tooth sensitivity isn’t bad, very sensitive teeth count as emergencies. These kinds stem from things like deep cavities, cracked teeth, and gum disease – major threats to your oral health. Given those potential causes, please see us if your teeth get very sensitive.

How you should handle very sensitive teeth: The first step is to call our office; we’ll confirm whether your teeth need dental care based on your feedback. Once we’ve heard from you, our team can also suggest lifestyle changes to help you manage. Such tips include drinking warm water, avoiding certain foods, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers.

How we treat very sensitive teeth: Depending on their cause, our practice has several ways to treat very sensitive teeth. Option one is to suggest special oral products – desensitizing toothpaste, prescription mouthwash, etc. – for mild cases. If your sensitivity stems from an infection, we’ll advise that you get a tooth-colored filling or gum disease treatment.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? Among all the oral issues you could have, a knocked-out tooth is one of the most serious; it definitely qualifies as a dental emergency. You’ll need to have it addressed quickly to avoid long-term harm to your looks and oral health. Otherwise, you could lose your tooth and require costly dental work. It follows that you should see your dentist for same-day care.

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: As awful as a knocked-out tooth is, you can take steps to (initially) handle it at home. Your first move should be to find this tooth and pick it up by its crown; touching the roots would further harm it. From there, rinse the pearly white and store it in some milk or saline solution. Another good idea is to use a tooth preservation kit with an ADA seal of approval.

How we treat knocked-out teeth: If you visit our office quickly enough, we could potentially save your tooth. We’d just need to try re-implanting it in your mouth; it could then reintegrate with your smile. Otherwise, you’ll need to consult us about replacement options – dental bridges, dentures, dental implants, etc. Such prosthetics would help you avoid the side effects of tooth loss.

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? Since fillings and crowns aren’t meant to last forever, losing one or the other isn’t an emergency. Still, you really should have the missing part replaced by your dentist when you can. Patients who lack a filling or crown are at higher risk of tooth infections.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: Patients who lose a dental crown should first locate it and then bring it to our office; we can reseal it if it’s still functional. That said, we can’t do the same for a missing dental filling, so please leave it alone.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns: If your crown is intact, we could recement it into place. However, you may need a new filling or crown if the old one is lost or too damaged and weak.

Broken Denture

Is a broken denture a dental emergency? A broken denture is usually an emergency, as wearing it can injure your gums, soft tissues, jaws, and remaining teeth. Given that fact, please call us quickly if your denture’s artificial teeth or base gets damaged.

How you should handle a broken denture: Should you suffer a broken denture, please don’t wear it; doing so harms it and your mouth. Avoid doing any DIY repairs as well, as they cause adverse side effects. Last but not least, remember to see a qualified dentist to fix your device(s).

How we treat broken dentures: Our practice has several ways to treat a broken denture. If the damage is slight, we could “fill in” small chips and cracks with composite resin. Another option is for our dentists to perform a relining if the denture has a poor fit. For severe damage, we could even replace the prosthetics or provide you with implant dentures.

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a loose permanent tooth a dental emergency? Loose permanent teeth can lead to tooth loss, so they count as dental emergencies. The smile gaps from such a loss are also quite bad for oral health, increasing the risk of issues such as decay and gum disease.

How you should handle a loose permanent tooth: When you have a loose permanent tooth, please visit us as quickly as possible; we’ll work to save it. You should also avoid touching or using the tooth until you arrive at our office. While you wait, your best bet is to swish warm water in your mouth.

How we treat loose permanent teeth: At Melrose Dental Group, we strive to save teeth before considering other options. Our team can often use dental splints and similar methods to keep a loose tooth safe. That said, we typically perform extractions when the affected teeth can’t be salvaged. Our staff can then place a dental implant or bridge as a suitable replacement.

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency? If the resulting damage is severe, an injury to your gums, lips, or tongue is an emergency. A fairly deep cut in your mouth can bleed a lot and threaten your long-term oral health. To be specific, it could get irritated and develop an infection without care.

How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: Your first step should be to rinse your injury with clean water; doing so washes away debris. From there, apply pressure with a clean washcloth until the bleeding stops. You could also apply an ice pack or cold compress to address pain and swelling.

How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: So long as it isn’t too bad, our dental team can clean your wound and stitch it closed. You should otherwise visit a local ER if the injury doesn’t stop bleeding within ten minutes.

Jaw Pain

Is jaw pain a dental emergency? Jaw pain is only an emergency when it interferes with daily life and causes serious oral health issues. In those instances, you should take it seriously and visit your local dentist for care.

How you should handle jaw pain: Firstly, please call us to receive informed care tips over the phone. Our team can instruct you to use over-the-counter pain relievers, ice packs, etc. If your jaw is broken or dislocated, we’ll also advise you to visit an ER first; we’ll gladly fix your smile afterward.

How we treat jaw pain: Based on the source of your ache, our treatments for jaw pain can vary. We often provide patients with a custom mouthguard when the underlying issue is bruxism. On the other hand, our team may suggest an extraction if the core problem is an impacted wisdom tooth. We’ll also advise you to visit an ER for severe cases, though we’ll fix your teeth once you’re discharged.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Depending on the situation, an object stuck between teeth can be an emergency. Whether it’s an urgent problem (or not) is based on the discomfort it causes. With that said, don’t try dislodging the debris with toothpicks or tweezers; these tools can harm your mouth. You should instead floss and rinse your mouth with water, or see us for a precise solution.