Always Ready to Help

When you’re caught off guard by a dental emergency — whether you have a toothache or your child accidentally knocks out a tooth — the last thing you want to do is spend precious time searching for an emergency dentist.

At White Oak Dental & Orthodontics, we’re always ready to provide immediate and professional care when it’s needed the most.

We offer same-day appointments for emergency dentistry in Avenel — and we’re also open early, late, and on Saturdays so neither you nor a loved one are ever stuck waiting in pain.

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

No matter what your dental emergency in Avenel or Woodbridge Township is, your first step should be to give us a call as soon as you can. From there, here’s what you can expect:

  • We’ll schedule your same-day appointment. We make it a priority to see emergency patients the same day that they call us. With both late and weekend hours, you can rest assured that you’ll get the care you need as quickly as possible!
  • Next, we’ll examine the problem. Once you’ve reached us for your appointment, Dr. Alvin Aquino will perform a quick examination to determine the source and severity of the issue you’re facing.
  • Then, we’ll review your treatment options. Dr. Aquino will go over his findings with you as well as your treatment options. He’ll fully explain each one and help you pick the one that’s best for you. At this time, we can also give you a personalized estimate and review your payment options.
  • We’ll work quickly to repair your smile. As soon as you and Dr. Aquino have agreed on a treatment plan, we’ll work quickly to get you out of pain and repair your oral health. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying a happy, healthy smile once again!
orthodontist avenel

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

We’ll make this simple for you: If you or a loved one experiences any out-of-the-ordinary oral symptoms (especially pain), please go ahead and give us a call.

Even if you’re unsure if your situation counts as an emergency, we want to hear from you! On the phone, explain your situation the best you can, and we’ll walk you through what to do next.

Any of the following symptoms or issues could mean that you’re experiencing a dental emergency.

orthodontist avenel

Toothaches

Most toothaches are the result of severe dental decay, meaning the only way to address the problem is by seeking professional dental attention.

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact Dr. Aquino right away and schedule an emergency appointment:

  • Pain that lasts more than 24 hours
  • Increased tooth sensitivity
  • Biting down becomes painful
  • A bump on the gums near the painful tooth
  • Signs of a serious infection (i.e., swelling, fever, fatigue)

 

How You Should Handle a Toothache

Gently brush and floss your teeth to remove any debris that could be contributing to your pain. Rinse with warm salt water to help ease inflammation and kill any harmful bacteria. If needed, you can take over-the-counter pain medication and use a cold compress to reduce swelling and minimize discomfort.

Chipped Teeth

Although you can wait a few days to seek treatment for a chipped tooth, you should still try and address it as soon as possible. If you leave a chipped tooth untreated for too long, it’s at risk of further damage and possible infection.

 

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth

Frist, find as many pieces of your tooth as you can and store them in a clean sealable container. Then, rinse your mouth with warm water to clear away any bacteria and lingering pieces of your tooth.

Don’t use your injured tooth to chew or bite anything! You can also cover the sharp edges of your chipped tooth with sugarless gum or dental wax to protect your soft oral tissues.

Cracked Tooth

In a word: Yes! Even the smallest crack can put your tooth at risk of infection and further damage. For that reason, you should always visit a dentist right away for a cracked tooth.

Since cracked teeth aren’t always easy to spot, it’s best to make an emergency appointment shortly after sustaining a blow to the face, especially if you’re experiencing dental pain or sensitivity.

 

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth

Gently rinse your mouth to wash away any lingering harmful bacteria. If needed, you can take over-the-counter pain medication and use a cold compress to alleviate your discomfort. Make sure you avoid chewing on the injured side of your mouth while you wait for your appointment.

Other Symptoms or Issues

The following symptoms or issues may also signal that you’re experiencing a dental emergency:

  • Sensitivity to hot and cold
  • Knocked-out tooth
  • Lost filling or crown
  • Broken denture
  • Loose tooth
  • Gums, lips, or tongue injury
  • Jaw pain or clenching
  • Something stuck between teeth

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can happen, even when you take good care of your oral health. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t avoid behaviors that can dramatically increase your risk of experiencing an emergency later.

By taking proactive steps to protect your smile and avoiding habits that put it in harm’s way, you can keep your pearly whites looking beautiful and staying functional for years to come.

Below, you can learn more about a few ways to get started.

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. Make sure to use fluoridated toothpaste 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 long-term. If you do indulge, do so in moderation and practice oral hygiene afterward.

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 grind or clench your teeth habitually: A nightguard will protect your teeth as you sleep, reducing the risk of a cracked or chipped tooth.

Use Tools — Not Your Teeth

Don’t use your teeth as a tool to open packages or bottles or to remove tags. This practice 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!

Dental Emergency FAQs

Are you still not quite sure what to do in a dental emergency? We understand that they can be stressful and even scary.

That’s why our team will gladly give you the guidance you need over the phone and tell you how to handle the situation until you can reach our dental office and receive the appropriate treatment.

While you’re waiting for your appointment, it may help to soothe your anxieties if you read through this list of frequently asked questions about emergency dentistry.