Not every toothache requires a rush to the office, but some oral problems do need immediate attention to protect your health and preserve your smile. Severe, sudden pain; uncontrolled bleeding; a tooth that has been knocked out or fractured; and signs of spreading infection — such as fever, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing or swallowing — are all situations that should be evaluated without delay. If you or a family member experience any of these symptoms, seek prompt care to reduce the risk of complications.
When in doubt, it’s better to err on the side of caution. Rapid assessment can prevent a treatable issue from becoming more serious or even systemic. Even if the problem seems minor at first, changes that occur over hours or days — increasing pain, swelling, or mobility — are reasons to contact your dental provider right away. Early evaluation helps the clinical team determine whether immediate intervention or a scheduled appointment is the right course.
Patients often find it helpful to note exactly what happened and when symptoms began before arriving at the office. Bring any broken tooth fragments, crowns, or removable appliances you can find, and be prepared to describe recent injuries, medical conditions, and medications. This information helps clinicians prioritize care and begin appropriate treatment as quickly as possible.
Emergency dental care begins with focused triage: identifying the most urgent concerns and addressing them to stabilize the patient. The initial evaluation usually includes a targeted medical and dental history, a visual exam of the mouth and surrounding structures, and, when needed, imaging to clarify the extent of an injury or infection. This process allows clinicians to develop an efficient, evidence-based plan for relief and repair.
Pain control and infection management are commonly addressed first. Depending on the finding, treatment may include local anesthesia to allow comfortable examination and procedures, prescribing an appropriate medication for infection or inflammation, or providing temporary measures to protect a compromised tooth. These steps are intended to relieve acute symptoms and reduce the likelihood of further damage while definitive care is arranged.
Stabilization can also involve short-term restorative work, such as reattaching a crown, smoothing a sharp fracture, or placing a temporary filling or band to protect exposed tooth structure. Clear communication about next steps — what was done, why, and what follow-up is recommended — helps patients feel informed and supported throughout the emergency care process.
Dental emergencies come in many forms, and effective emergency treatment requires both experience and versatility. Our practice regularly sees patients with severe toothaches, broken or chipped teeth, lost restorations, and problems related to wisdom teeth. We also treat infections of the gums and soft tissues, traumatic injuries, and issues with removable prosthetics that suddenly become unusable or painful.
Some conditions, such as a minor chip that is not painful, can often wait for routine care. Others — particularly injuries involving visible tooth movement, extensive exposure of the nerve, or signs of spreading infection — should be seen immediately. Proper diagnosis determines whether a tooth can be saved, needs urgent restorative work, or requires referral for specialized care.
Treatment for an emergency depends on what the evaluation reveals. For many painful tooth problems, the first goal is to remove the source of pain and protect the tooth. That can mean placing a filling, performing bonding to repair a chip, or placing a temporary crown to stabilize a fractured tooth. When the dental pulp (nerve tissue) is severely inflamed or infected, root canal therapy is often the definitive treatment that saves the natural tooth.
In some cases the damage is too extensive for conservative repair, and extraction becomes the safest option. While losing a tooth is never ideal, modern replacement options allow for restoration of function and appearance. Dental implants, fixed bridges, and removable prostheses each have a role depending on clinical factors and patient preference. Your clinician will discuss the most appropriate next steps and the timeline for restorative treatment following an emergency.
When immediate repairs are made, follow-up visits are an essential part of care. These appointments allow the team to monitor healing, complete definitive restorations, and coordinate any specialist referrals. Clear post-treatment instructions help patients manage discomfort and protect the treated area until more permanent care can be provided.
Proper aftercare reduces pain and speeds recovery. Basic measures such as using cold compresses to control swelling, taking recommended medications as directed, and avoiding hard or chewy foods on the affected side are practical first steps. Gentle rinsing with warm salt water can soothe soft-tissue irritation, while careful oral hygiene helps prevent secondary infection. If you experience worsening symptoms after treatment, contact the office so the team can reassess the situation.
Many dental emergencies stem from preventable causes: untreated decay, weakened restorations, or accidents during sports and daily activities. Protective strategies — like wearing a mouthguard during impact sports, addressing small dental problems before they worsen, and keeping routine dental visits — significantly reduce the likelihood of urgent care needs. Patient education is part of emergency care; helping patients understand risk factors empowers them to make choices that protect long-term oral health.
Our goal is to deliver timely, compassionate emergency treatment and a clear plan for recovery. Smith Tano Dental Group is committed to helping patients regain comfort, preserve dental health when possible, and plan for lasting restoration when needed. If you are experiencing a dental emergency or are unsure whether your symptoms require urgent care, please contact us to discuss your situation and arrange timely evaluation.
Pain is your body's way of signaling that something is not quite right and though there are many reasons for oral pain, one of the most common complaints and reasons for seeking urgent dental care is a toothache. Whether you simply need a dental filling, a crown, or require a root canal procedure to save your tooth, we'll alleviate your discomfort and restore the look and function of the involved tooth.
Dental trauma can result in a defect as minor as a small chip in tooth enamel to a more extensive and painful crack or fracture. With sufficient force, a tooth can even be displaced or completely knocked out of its socket. With prompt emergency care, many injured teeth can be restored and saved.
The last teeth in your mouth to develop, wisdom teeth often do not have enough room to fully erupt or may be positioned in the wrong direction. These issues can affect your dental health as well as overall well-being. Our office provides skilled care to address the complications caused by problematic wisdom teeth.
A broken or lost dental prosthesis or restoration can cause embarrassing gaps in your smile as well as compromise your ability to eat and speak with ease. If you've lost or broken a dental filling, denture, crown, or other dental appliance, you can rely on our office to perform a prompt repair or provide a durable and cosmetically pleasing replacement as quickly as possible.
At the office of Smith Tano Dental Group, emergency appointments are always available. Of course, in addition to providing top treatment for dental emergencies, we also welcome patients searching for high quality and affordable care. We offer a complete range of the latest and best cosmetic and dental services for every member of your family.
If you are suffering from a toothache or have sustained a dental injury, it is important to visit the dentist as soon as possible before more serious complications arise. Whether your dental emergency is painful, if it affects the appearance of your smile, or if you suspect that an infection is present, our office will make every effort to see you as promptly as possible for care.
At the office of Smith Tano Dental Group, we treat your dental emergency as our top priority. Our caring team will respond to your emergency call right away, making sure you get the gentle, state-of-the-art care you need without delay.
As your trusted emergency dentist in Swampscott, we provide the highest quality of care to mitigate the stress, anxiety, and discomfort of dental problems. Our dedicated team will help you start feeling better as soon as we receive your emergency call.
At the office of Smith Tano Dental Group, we provide skilled and experienced care to effectively resolve a broad range of dental emergencies, restoring a patient's oral health while protecting their overall wellbeing.
However, even so, specific dental emergencies pose significant threats to one's health. These situations require immediate, emergency room care. Serious and potentially life-threatening dental emergencies include significant oral and facial trauma such as jaw fractures, deep wounds or lacerations to the face and mouth, an abscess or infection that causes widespread facial or submandibular swelling, or affects breathing and swallowing.
At the office of Smith Tano Dental Group, we provide prompt, skilled, and experienced care to address dental emergencies. We understand that finances are always a concern and do our best to provide options in care that are both affordable and respect your budget.
Once we've had the opportunity to examine your smile, we can give you a clear picture of any existing dental issues, along with a quote for what the cost of treatment will be. The cost of care all depends upon the extent and complexity of issues affecting the health or appearance of your smile and the types of procedures that are required.
To help alleviate any additional stress or delay, you can count on our staff to work with you to optimize coverage for your dental care and to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. For patients without insurance, we strive to make things easier as well! We invite you to visit our financial information page or speak to an expert in our business office.
Dental emergencies are often painful and debilitating experiences. For this reason it's important to have an emergency dentist in Swampscott, who welcomes patients with urgent dental needs while providing the prompt care required to restore oral health.
Here are just some of the reasons why so many patients choose our office for emergency dental care and to meet their family's dental needs:
We're dedicated to helping patients enjoy good oral health and beautiful smiles. We look forward to helping you keep your smile in tip-top condition. You can rest assured that our highly skilled office team will provide you the highest quality of state-of-the-art dental care and have you smiling again in no time!
To make an appointment or for more information on our office and the many state-of-the-art services we provide, give us a call today.
