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Emergency Dentist – Branford, CT 

Quality Dental Care at a Moment’s Notice

Pained woman who needs to visit her Branford emergency dentist

No one ever expects to need emergency dental care, but if they are experiencing a severe toothache or other painful dental problems, the last thing they want to do is waste time searching for someone who is available to treat them. To make sure you never find yourself in such a situation, put New Haven Dental Group’s number in your phone right now. You will be covered if you ever require short-notice dental care. We are ready and able to accept emergency patients, and we are even often able to provide same-day emergency dentistry in Branford for those who need urgent attention.

Why Choose New Haven Dental Group for Emergency Dental Care?

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Man with toothache visiting his Branford emergency dentist

Whether your dental emergency is due to a sudden injury or a longstanding dental problem that suddenly announces its presence, the best thing to do is seek professional help right away. Our team will leap into action to relieve your pain and repair the damage to your oral health as soon as possible. Here is generally what you can expect when you call us with a dental emergency:

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Are you unsure if you need urgent dental care? Many patients postpone calling us because they do not want to make a big deal out of nothing. However, we encourage you to give us a call anyways! Not all emergencies are easy to identify, and leaving one untreated will only allow it to get worse. When you give us a call, we can help you determine how serious your situation is and whether or not you need to come in for an emergency appointment. Below, you will find some of the most common situations where we highly recommend you give us a call immediately.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies 

Dentist and patient discussing the cost of dental emergencies in Branford

There are many different kinds of dental emergencies. Logically, then, there is no fixed price for urgent dental care. One patient may need nothing more than a prescription to feel better, while another may require root canal therapy and a crown. When you come to us for emergency dental care, we will be upfront about your treatment options and their associated costs.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Woman with healthy smile thanks to Branford emergency dentist

Some dental emergencies are inevitable. In many cases, however, such situations occur because an individual made a mistake that left their teeth vulnerable to damage. We want to help you avoid taking such missteps. On this page, you will discover some practical advice that you can apply every day in order to greatly reduce your risk of suffering from a dental emergency. If you have more questions, we invite you to reach out to our team.

Maintain Great Oral Hygiene Habits at Home

Man flossing to prevent dental emergencies in Branford

A thorough dental care routine establishes the foundation for a lifetime of oral health. You should brush thoroughly twice a day, floss once a day, and drink plenty of water. Many patients find that using a mouthwash is also helpful for combating potentially harmful oral bacteria.

Visit Us Regularly for Checkups

Woman visiting her dentist for dental checkup in Branford

It is also vital that you attend regular checkups with your dentist. At these appointments, your dentist has the opportunity to spot any developing oral health problems before they worsen to the point where they could cause a dental emergency. They can also coach you on how best to care for your teeth at home. Most people should visit their dentist every six months, but if you have gum disease or other ongoing oral health concerns, more frequent appointments may be in order.

Do Not Bite Down On Anything Hard

Woman chewing on pen headed for dental emergency in Branford

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, but it is far from invincible. It is vulnerable to breakage if it is exposed to too much force. That is why you should not use your teeth to bite down on anything extremely hard. Ice, jawbreaker candies, and unpopped popcorn kernels are just a few of the things you should do your best not to bite down on. You should also resist the temptation to use your teeth to bite on inanimate objects, such as pens and pencils.

Get a Mouthguard for Sports and Bedtime

Colorful mouthguards to prevent dental emergencies in Branford

Everyone who plays sports should invest in a custom mouthguard, even if your activity of choice is considered to be a “non-contact” sport. Your mouthguard will reduce the risk of injury to your teeth, gums, and other tissues in your mouth. Custom mouthguards have even been shown to reduce the risk of concussion.

If you often wake up with a sore jaw, you may be grinding your teeth while you sleep. Over time, that grinding can wear away at your enamel and possibly lead to a dental emergency. Putting a preventive nightguard in your mouth every evening before you go to sleep places a barrier between your teeth and stop them from harming one another.

Use Tools, Not Your Teeth to Open Packaging

Man opening package with tool to prevent dental emergencies in Branford

Many people use their teeth to tear open packages or to remove tape from boxes. Doing so is unwise because it exposes your teeth to more force than they are designed to handle. You could easily end up breaking one. Try to carry a small multi-tool with you so you can use it to open packages instead of your teeth.

Dental Emergency FAQs

Man in white shirt, thinking about questions about emergency dentistry

Our team is ready to serve you when you require the attention of an emergency dentist in Branford. Before you save our number in your phone, though, you might have questions about what to expect when you are facing a serious oral health problem. That is why we have put together the following brief list of FAQs, along with their answers. If you do not see the information you were specifically looking for, feel free to contact us directly. We look forward to hearing from you!

Will My Toothache Go Away on Its Own?

Teeth do not heal on their own, so it is unlikely that your toothache will disappear without treatment. However, there are exceptions to the rule. For example, if your pain is caused by something near a tooth, rather than the tooth itself, you may find that the issue resolves on its own. This may be the case if you are dealing with congested sinuses or a similar problem. If the tooth itself is suffering, your pain might disappear if the nerve inside the tooth dies. However, an infection could still be present and continue to damage the nearby tissues.

Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?

Most emergency room personnel do not have the training or equipment to properly address a dental emergency in Branford. In many cases, the most they can do is provide medication and tell you to visit your dentist as soon as possible. Of course, there are some dental emergencies that necessitate a visit to the ER. This is the case if you have uncontrolled bleeding, a high fever, broken facial bones, or any life-threatening symptoms. If you are not sure whether you should go to the ER or our office, give us a call, and we will guide you on your next steps.

What Does Throbbing Tooth Pain Mean?

Throbbing tooth pain often means there is an infection in the tooth. When bacteria reach the tooth’s innermost layer (the pulp), the nerve in the tooth may become irritated and send powerful pain signals to the brain. Such infections are often the result of decay or trauma. They require prompt care. Otherwise, the infection could spread and cause harm to the surrounding tissues or even cause systemic illness.

In other cases, throbbing teeth are the result of chronic bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching).

What Should I Keep in My Emergency Dentistry Kit?

Having an emergency dentistry kit can minimize the pain and oral damage that you experience as a result of an oral health crisis. Here are some items that it would be good to keep on hand:

  • A small storage container with a lid
  • Sterile gloves
  • Gauze pads and dressings
  • Dental cement
  • A topical anesthetic (Orajel or a similar product)
  • Anti-inflammatory medication (ibuprofen tends to work well)
  • Denture adhesive
  • Floss
  • An ice pack
  • Contact information for our dental practice
  • Your dental insurance information
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Contact Us
Branford
(203) 488-0091 195 Montowese St.
Branford, CT
Office Hours

8:00am – 5:00pm
8:00am – 5:00pm
8:00am – 5:00pm
8:00am – 5:00pm
8:00am – 5:00pm
Closed
*Every Other Thursday