Emergency Dentist – Falmouth, ME

Toothaches  

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency? Even if your symptoms are relatively new, it’s a good idea to get in touch with our Falmouth dental team. That way, we can schedule a time for you to meet with Dr. Kyra Chadbourne, and she can determine what the root of the problem is.

How You Should Handle a Toothache Until your appointment at our office, periodically rinse with warm saltwater, avoid crunchy, sugary, and acidic foods, and take OTC pain medication as directed. If you’re struggling with throbbing pain, then keep your head elevated while you sleep too.

How We Treat Toothaches Toothaches are sometimes the result of tooth decay and are other times the results of something else, like a small crack. That’s why we need to conduct a comprehensive oral exam before discussing your treatment options, like a tooth-colored filling, dental crown, or root canal.

Chipped Teeth  

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? That depends largely on the size of the chip. If it’s substantial or you’re in pain, then contacting us should be a top priority. If, on the other hand, it’s barely noticeable and you’re not experiencing any abnormal dental symptoms, scheduling an appointment before the end of the week should suffice.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth First, get an appointment with Dr. Chadbourne on the calendar. Then, transition your focus to protecting your tooth. We recommend periodically rinsing with clean, room-temperature water, covering the tooth with some sugar-free gum, and avoiding any crunchy, hard, and sticky foods.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth Very small chips are often fixed with direct bonding. More substantial chips, however, are usually addressed with a veneer. At your appointment, we will review all of your treatment options, share our recommendations, and answer any questions you have so you can make a decision on how to move forward with confidence.

Cracked Tooth  

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? Absolutely! In fact, even if you can’t see the damage, but you suspect that something is wrong because of the symptoms you’re experiencing, we recommend scheduling an emergency exam so we can provide the necessary care sooner rather than later.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth It goes without saying that you shouldn’t chew on that side of your mouth or touch the tooth with your finger. Instead, stick to soft foods, rinse periodically with clean, room-temperature water, and take OTC pain medication, if needed.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth The good news is that a cracked tooth doesn’t always need to be extracted. If the damage is so extensive that that’s the only option, however, then we will do so. We will also start the process of replacing the tooth with a dental bridge or implant.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? Tooth sensitivity can vary in severity, but very sensitive teeth may be a sign of a dental emergency. Severe sensitivity often comes from enamel erosion, gum recession, or exposed tooth roots, which could signal more serious problems like infection or tooth decay.

How you should handle sensitive teeth: If you're experiencing very sensitive teeth, try to avoid hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks, as these can worsen the discomfort. Use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth and brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Avoid acidic foods and beverages that can wear down enamel further. If the sensitivity persists, worsens, or is accompanied by pain, swelling, or other symptoms, call us to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

How we treat tooth sensitivity: Treatment for sensitive teeth depends on the cause. For example, Dr. Chadbourn may apply a fluoride treatment to strengthen your enamel. If the sensitivity is due to gum recession, she might suggest gum grafting or other procedures to cover the exposed roots. In cases where decay or damage is the cause, a filling, crown, or root canal may be the best solution.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? A knocked-out tooth is definitely a dental emergency, and it requires immediate attention. When a tooth is completely dislodged from its socket, time is of the essence. The sooner you act, the better the chances are of saving the tooth. Ideally, you should see a dentist within 30 minutes to an hour after the injury.

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: If you have a knocked-out tooth, pick it up by the crown (the part you chew with). Gently rinse it with water if it's dirty, but don’t scrub it or remove any attached tissues. If possible, try to put the tooth back into its socket without forcing it. If this isn't possible, keep the tooth moist by placing it in a container of milk or saliva. Avoid using plain water as this can damage the tooth. Then, come see us right away.

How we treat knocked-out teeth: Upon arrival, our team will assess the tooth and the socket to see if the tooth can be re-implanted. If so, we'll carefully place the tooth back in its socket and stabilize it with a splint. The tooth may need to be monitored for several weeks to ensure it successfully reattaches. In cases where the tooth cannot be saved, Dr. Chadbourne will discuss options like dental implants or bridges to restore your smile.

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? A lost filling or crown is considered a dental emergency if it leaves your tooth exposed to further damage or causes pain. Fillings and crowns protect vulnerable areas of a tooth, and without them, it can become more susceptible to decay, infection, or damage.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: If you lose a filling or crown, try to keep the area clean and avoid chewing on the affected side of your mouth. If the crown is still intact, you can clean it gently and try to use dental adhesive or toothpaste to put it back on temporarily. Don’t use superglue or any non-dental adhesive! If you have lost a filling, you can put a bit of dental wax (available at most pharmacies) over the area until you can come to see us.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns: Dr. Chadbourn will need to examine the affected tooth and restoration to decide the best way forward. If the crown is still usable, we can clean it and reattach it to the tooth with bonding adhesive. If it’s damaged or the tooth structure has changed, a new crown will need to be created. For lost fillings, Dr. Chadbourn will remove any decay that may have developed and replace the filling with a new one.

Broken Denture

Loose Permanent Tooth

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Jaw Pain

Something Stuck Between the Teeth