Emergency Dentist – Woodbridge Township, NJ 

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Get professional checkups and cleanings at least twice a year. Doing this allows our team to treat minor problems before they turn into major emergencies. After all, cavities and gum disease will often not show symptoms until they have already started to do real damage to your teeth and gum tissue. This is one of the reasons why chronic tooth decay and gum infections are so common, especially among older patients. If you have questions during your visit or would like at-home oral hygiene tips, we’re always happy to help!

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

Maintaining a consistent brushing and flossing routine is one of the most effective ways to avoid long-term dental problems in between your regular checkups in Woodbridge. Make sure to use a toothpaste that is fluoridated as this mineral is proven to fight off cavity-causing bacteria. Flossing at least once a day will remove plaque from the sides of teeth as well as prevent bacteria from consuming loose food debris. Adding a mouthwash to your routine can also provide additional protection, especially if you currently have dental implants or other restorations like crowns.

Stick to a Nutritious Diet

Be careful when eating particularly hard, sticky, or chewy foods. These can easily get stuck in teeth and even crack or chip them if eaten haphazardly or in excess. Maintaining a balanced diet low in refined sugars and starches ensures your mouth gets the vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy in the long-term. If you do indulge, do so in moderation and practice oral hygiene afterwards.

Wear a Mouthguard

Always wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports, including basketball, football, lacrosse, hockey, baseball, karate, or other activities that carry a high risk for impact. Custom mouthguards from our dental office are not only more effective than store-bought solutions thanks to their improved coverage, but they also fit more comfortably and last substantially longer. This is especially the case if you have a particularly bad teeth grinding and clenching habit. If you grind or clench your teeth, a nightguard will protect your teeth as you sleep, reducing the risk of a cracked or chipped tooth.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

Don’t use your teeth as a tool to open packages, bottles, or remove tags. This can easily erode, chip, crack, and even break a tooth completely. It can also cause restorations like crowns or veneers to come off, leaving your natural tooth exposed. Avoid chewing on extremely hard items like ice, pens, pencils, and popcorn kernels as well. If you have trouble breaking habits that negatively affect your teeth, let us know so we can help!

Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?

If you or your loved one is suffering from a broken, hurting, or knocked-out tooth, your first instinct might be to head to the nearest emergency room. Unfortunately, though, most ER doctors are not equipped to address the root causes of dental emergencies. At most, they may be able to temporarily relieve your pain, but you’d have to visit an emergency dentist in Avenel to get to the bottom of your problem.

That being said, there are a few scenarios in which you should make a beeline for the ER before calling us, which include:

• Jaw dislocations and fractures
• Deep lacerations to the mouth or face
• Swelling that is affecting your ability to breathe or swallow

In almost all other dental-related emergencies, you’re better off contacting our team straight away.

Will my toothache go away on its own?

Generally, toothaches do NOT go away on their own. In fact, tooth pain often worsens the longer you put off seeking treatment. Just to be on the safe side, it’s best to have our dentists take a look at your tooth. Even if the pain is minor or temporary, doing so can help us catch potential issues in their early stages, making them easier (and more cost-effective) to address.

Is my tooth pain from an infection?

If one of your teeth feels extremely sore or you’re experiencing a constant, throbbing pain, it’s most likely the result of an infection in or near the tooth. Other signs of a dental infection include:

• Chronic bad breath
• A persistently bitter taste in your mouth
• A feeling that one or more of your teeth are loose
• Swollen or red gums
• Sensitivity in a specific tooth
• A draining sore on the gums near the hurting tooth

The only way to know for sure whether your toothache is caused by an infection is to have a dentist take a close look at it and capture X-rays.

Does emergency dental care cost more?

An initial emergency dental exam is actually relatively inexpensive in most cases. However, many of the procedures that are commonly prescribed for dental emergencies (dental crowns, fillings, root canals, etc.) are considered more restorative than preventive in nature. Essentially, these treatments often do not qualify for as much insurance coverage as routine dental procedures like checkups and cleanings.

Don’t let that deter you from getting treatment for your dental emergency in Avenel, though! The longer you delay care, the more likely your emergency is to worsen and lead to even higher costs (and more pain) down the road. Our team can help you navigate your financial options and make your emergency dental care as affordable as possible.