Emergency Dentist – Concord, NH

Call Us When You Need Help

Are you faced with a chipped tooth? Did you accidentally lose your dental crown? Do you have a broken denture? No matter the problem or injury, you can always call our Charm Smile Dental team for help. Our caring emergency dentist in Concord, NH, Dr. Homsi, and our dental team are here to deliver timely care using an array of restorative dental services. With high-tech digital imagery and diagnostics, we can readily identify the problem area and use advanced solutions to repair and improve your smile.

Why Choose Charm Smile Dental for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Sedation Dentistry Available
  • Dental Office Serving the Community for 30+ Years
  • Capable of Addressing Complex Dental Issues

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

  • Call to schedule an appointment – When faced with a dental emergency, you should call our office to schedule an appointment. Based on your situation, a member of our team will work quickly to get you in as well as offer helpful tips to manage the pain while you’re at home.
  • Undergo a thorough examination – After careful examination and diagnostic imaging, your emergency dentist will identify the area of concern.
  • Review findings – Compiling all the necessary data, we will create a personalized treatment plan that details how we plan to address your emergency as well as how much you can expect it to cost.
  • Provide timely care – Once you agree to the proposed plan, we will get to work to get you out of pain before fixing your smile.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Not all dental injuries warrant a visit to the emergency dentist’s office; however, if you’re ever unsure, it’s best to call and speak to a member of your dental team. We can determine the severity of your injury and decide whether you should come in right away or wait. Below, you will find a list of the most common emergencies we treat and how you can handle the situation while at home.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Although you can turn to our team at Charm Smile Dental for all of your dental needs – including last-minute care – we completely understand that you want to avoid this situation at all costs. After all, if you could avoid a stressful, painful injury, wouldn’t you? The good news is that there are several ways you can dramatically reduce your risk. Read on to learn what they are!

Visit Your Dentist Biannually

Your biannual visits to our Concord emergency dentist are designed to prevent serious decay, large chips, painful fractures, and the like. That’s why we start each visit with detailed X-rays and a thorough exam; we want to catch and treat oral health problems in the early stages. Plus, we use special tools during your cleaning to remove plaque, tartar, and other debris your toothbrush and floss missed, helping prevent cavities and gum disease from developing in the near future.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

Of course, keeping your smile healthy between your routine dental appointments is of the utmost importance as well. That starts with using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste to brush twice a day (for a full two minutes each time). Additionally, you should floss and rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash daily. If you ever need recommendations on which products to use or you want a refresher on proper technique, don’t hesitate to ask – we can help!

Stick to a Nutritious Diet

Since sugar is one of the leading culprits of tooth decay, we recommend keeping your intake of soda, ice cream, and other sweet treats to a minimum. Fortunately, there are plenty of smile-friendly and delicious foods you can add to your diet to keep you full and satiated! Cooked sweet potatoes, fresh fruits, sauteed vegetables, and lean proteins are a few examples.

Note: Don’t chew on any non-food items, like ice cubes or pen caps – this is one of the easiest ways to fracture your teeth!  

Wear a Mouthguard

Do you participate in sports? If so, then you need to take proactive measures to protect your smile, like wearing a mouthguard. This will help prevent knocked-out teeth, soft-tissue injuries, and the like. We also encourage our patients to avoid drinking sports drinks that are loaded with added sugar. Again, this can dramatically increase your risk of developing tooth decay and, in turn, a serious dental injury.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

From using their mouth to hold their keys to using their teeth to remove a bottle cap, people use their teeth as tools all the time. It’s also one of the most common reasons patients come to visit our Concord emergency dentist! To prevent your morning or afternoon from turning into a day at the dental office, avoid using your teeth as tools.

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

It’s very common for patients to feel some nervousness surrounding the cost of their care, especially last-minute, emergency dentistry. Please know that our entire team at Charm Smile Dental is here to help – we want your experience to be smooth and stress-free! That’s why we provide estimates of the cost upfront and are here to answer any questions you have throughout the treatment process. You can also read on for some important cost-related information.

Every Dental Emergency is Different

It’s true; every dental emergency is different. That’s why it takes some time to determine an accurate estimate! First, Dr. Homsi must conduct a thorough examination of your dental injury. Then, you both will review the treatment options available and determine which one is best before reviewing the available financial solutions, like dental insurance. Across the board – whether you need a small filling or a tooth extraction and replacement – we will do what we can to make navigating the cost of your emergency dental care easy.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Are you currently insured? Then you’ll be happy to know that we’re in-network with Delta Dental and welcome a wide range of PPO plans. As a result, we can work with you to get the most out of your plan as well as discuss additional financing options should you need them. Again, even if we are not in-network with your insurance company, we will still file any claims to help you receive your maximum reimbursement. With us, utilizing your available benefits is easy!

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t worry – that doesn’t mean that your treatment will break the bank. We’re proud to welcome third-party financiers, such as CareCredit and Lending Club. As a result, you don’t have to pay for your entire bill at once. Instead, you can choose a payment plan that spreads the total cost out over the course of several months, sometimes with little-to-no interest attached too!

How Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Of course, some dental emergencies, like a knocked-out tooth, aren’t entirely avoidable. After all, accidents happen! There are, however, several measures you can take to protect your smile from harm, starting with wearing a mouthguard during sports, avoiding smoking and other unhealthy habits, and visiting us twice a year for a checkup and cleaning. Additionally, you should commit to a solid oral hygiene regimen at home to keep your smile decay and infection-free. These measures may seem small, but together they can protect your teeth and gums from serious harm that necessitates same-day treatment.

Dental Emergency FAQs

It’s no secret that dental emergencies can be overwhelming to handle. While you may never feel fully prepared, knowing as much as possible about what to do can make the experience significantly less stressful. That’s why we’ve dedicated this section to answering common questions about dental emergencies!

Will my toothache go away on its own?

If you’ve been crossing your fingers in hopes that your toothache will go away on its own, it’s important to know that oral health issues like decay and infections cannot heal without professional treatment. The best way to restore your pain-free smile and save yourself from costly treatment is by scheduling an appointment with our Concord emergency dentist ASAP. The sooner you do, the sooner we can administer the necessary restorative care, improving the look, health, and function of your smile.

How should I sleep with tooth pain?

If you weren’t able to come in for same-day treatment, then it can be helpful to know how to get a good night’s sleep with tooth pain. One of the best things you can do is keep your head elevated by propping yourself up on some pillows. This will prevent blood from rushing to your head, which can result in an uncomfortable, throbbing pain. It’s also a good idea to not eat anything especially crunchy for dinner and to take an OTC pain reliever about 30 minutes before going to bed.

What is causing my jaw pain?

Jaw pain could be the result of everything from an impacted wisdom tooth to chronic jaw pain and TMD disorder. If you’ve been struggling with discomfort stemming from your jaw for more than 24 hours now, then it warrants a call to our Concord dental office. That way, we can pinpoint the cause and review all of the treatment options available to give you the long-lasting relief you’re looking for.

Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?

If you’re experiencing potentially life-threatening symptoms in tandem with your dental injury, then the answer is yes. Trouble breathing, uncontrollable bleeding, and difficulty swallowing all require medical attention, and you should visit the ER right away. However, if you aren’t experiencing potentially life-threatening symptoms, then you should not go to the ER since hospitals don’t typically have a dentist on-staff. Instead, call our team ASAP. From there, we can schedule an appointment and walk you through how to handle your dental injury until you arrive.

Can I pop a dental abscess on my own?

No, you should never pop a dental abscess on your own! Doing so can expose your mouth, neck, and throat to bacteria that can result in further irritation. The best thing to do if you have a dental abscess is to call us.

What does chronic bad breath mean?

Chronic bad breath can result in a lot of embarrassment. If it’s the result of an unhealthy dental habit, like smoking, or pungent foods, like garlic, then steering clear of them may be all that’s needed to freshen your breath. However, if the odor persists or doesn’t seem to be the result of something you’ve eaten, then give our team a call so we can see if an untreated oral health concern is the cause.

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Toothaches  

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency?

A toothache can be a symptom of many different dental problems, ranging from minor issues to severe conditions that require immediate treatment. Here are some signs and symptoms that indicate you should seek professional attention right away:

  • You are in severe pain that interferes with your daily activities.
  • You are experiencing throbbing pain.
  • You are experiencing extreme sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures in a specific tooth.
  • A tooth is darker than the ones around it.
  • There is visible damage to a tooth.
  • You notice a small, pimple-like bump on your gums.

How You Should Handle a Toothache

Rinse your mouth with warm water to remove debris around the tooth. You could also use dental floss if anything is lodged in the tight spaces around the tooth. You can take painkillers, but do not place aspirin directly on your gums. Try to avoid chewing with the tooth. If you see a pimple-like bump, do not attempt to pop it.

How We Treat Toothaches

The best treatment for a toothache depends on what is causing it. We will examine your mouth before we make any recommendations. You might need a filling, root canal therapy, or gum disease treatment. In some cases, it is necessary to remove a damaged tooth altogether.

Chipped Tooth

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A chipped tooth is not an urgent dental emergency. However, because the damage could easily worsen, and the tooth’s rough edges could irritate sensitive soft tissues, it would be wise to schedule an appointment as soon as your schedule allows.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth

Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area around the tooth. If the tooth’s rough edges are bothering you, try covering it with some sugar-free chewing gum or some orthodontic wax. Avoid biting down on hard foods or doing anything else that might worsen the damage.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth

In most cases, we can repair a chipped tooth with dental bonding, which can restore the tooth’s shape and appearance. However, dental bonding may last for just a few years. If you want a longer-lasting solution, we may recommend that you get a porcelain veneer instead.

Cracked Tooth

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A small crack is non-urgent, whereas a large or deep crack should receive immediate attention. Also, keep in mind that not all cracks are visible; they can occur beneath the gumline or between teeth. If you even suspect that a tooth is cracked, you should book an appointment.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth

Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. If there is facial swelling, a cold compress can help to keep it under control. Try to avoid chewing with the damaged tooth if possible.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth

We can often repair minimal damage with a tooth-colored resin that will bond to the tooth and stop the crack from worsening. However, if the damage is severe, you may require root canal therapy and a crown. It is even possible that the tooth will need to be removed altogether.

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? While highly sensitive teeth can be inconvenient and painful, they generally do not qualify as a dental emergency. The discomfort you're experiencing may be due to various causes, including excessive teeth whitening, worn tooth enamel, or gum recession. It could also result from issues such as a severe cavity, gum disease, a cracked tooth, or an abscess. If you start experiencing significant pain, contact us right away.

How you should handle sensitive teeth: When reaching out to us, our team will offer practical tips for home care while waiting for an appointment with Dr. Homsi. Suggestions may include drinking lukewarm water instead of hot or cold beverages, avoiding spicy, sweet, and acidic foods, and using over-the-counter pain medication to cope with sensitivity.

How we treat tooth sensitivity: The recommended treatment will be tailored to the specific cause of your sensitivity. If worn tooth enamel is the issue, we may suggest desensitizing toothpaste or a prescribed mouthwash. If you have a cavity or a cracked tooth, a tooth-colored filling may be necessary. However, if gum disease or an abscess is contributing to significant pain, we may recommend root canal treatment or periodontal treatment, accompanied by antibiotic therapy to address the underlying problem.

Learn More About Fluoride Treatments

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Knocked-Out Tooth

Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? Absolutely! Losing a tooth is considered a dental emergency. Whether it occurs during a sports activity or due to a fall, professional assistance is necessary, preferably within the first hour. There's a critical timeframe during which a knocked-out tooth can survive outside its socket. Delaying treatment beyond this limit will make the tooth nonviable, which means you’ll need to get some form of replacement.

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: Start by scheduling an emergency appointment with our office. Retrieve the tooth by holding its crown and carefully rinse off any debris. Attempt to reinsert it into the vacant socket. If unsuccessful, store it between your gums and cheek inside your mouth or in a container filled with milk or water to maintain moisture. Bring the tooth to your appointment so we can try and salvage it.

How we treat knocked-out teeth: We’ll thoroughly examine your mouth and the tooth in question to determine whether or not reattachment is feasible. If it is, appropriate measures will be taken to reinsert the tooth. However, if too much time has lapsed or there is extensive

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? While the unexpected loss of a dental restoration may cause initial concern, it's not uncommon for crowns and fillings to come loose over time. As these restorations aren't designed to last forever, they can often detach over time. If this happens, scheduling an appointment with us is recommended.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: If you notice your crown or filling is missing, rinse your mouth with warm salt water to remove any debris and avoid chewing on the affected side of your mouth. If feasible, find the dislodged restoration and bring it with you to your appointment. Follow your regular oral hygiene routine, but exercise caution while brushing or flossing around the affected area.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns: During your visit to our office, Dr. Homsi will assess the crown or filling to determine if it can be reattached. If the restoration is fully intact and the tooth shows no apparent damage, reattachment may be possible on the same day. However, if the restoration is lost or damaged, you may need a new tooth-colored filling or dental crown.

Broken Dentures

Is my broken denture a dental emergency? A broken denture is most certainly a dental emergency, so you should call our office right away to make an appointment.

How you should handle a broken denture: Instead of trying to put it back together, you’ll need to leave your prosthetic teeth out of your mouth so that you do not accidentally injure your natural teeth and/or gums.

How we treat broken dentures: The severity of the break will determine how we plan to treat it. If the damage is minor, we may be able to fix your dentures so that you can continue to wear them. If the break is substantial, we’ll either need to replace it with a new denture or discuss the option of switching to a dental bridge or dental implant.

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Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a loose permanent tooth a dental emergency? You should most certainly call our office to schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist if you are suffering from a loose permanent tooth.

How you should handle loose permanent teeth: It is not normal for an adult tooth to be loose, so if this happens at home, make sure to avoid biting down or chewing on the side of your mouth with the problem tooth. Any amount of pressure can cause it to fall out or become even more damaged. It’s best to just leave it alone until you reach our office.

How we treat loose permanent teeth: We will need to first take digital images of your mouth to see what might be happening beneath the surface. Afterward, we will determine how best to address the tooth based on our findings. If caused by gum disease, we’ll need to administer periodontal therapy to eliminate the bacteria. If the tooth cannot be saved, we will discuss tooth extraction and ways to replace it, such as a dental bridge or dental implant.   

Learn More About Dental Bridges

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Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency? In most situations, an injury to your lip, tongue, or gums is not considered a dental emergency. These typically heal themselves, but if you are concerned, you can always call our office to have a member of our team examine your mouth.

How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: It’s best if you first rinse out your mouth to flush away any debris. You’ll then want to grab a clean gauze or wet washcloth and hold it against the wound to try and stop the bleeding. If within 10 minutes it does not stop, go to your local ER. Otherwise, once it is no longer bleeding, you can place a cold compress against it to minimize swelling.

How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: Depending on what caused the soft tissue laceration, we may suggest stitches if it is a big enough cut. If it occurred while playing sports, we may suggest that you seek out a custom athletic mouthguard to wear to avoid another similar injury in the future.

Jaw Pain

Is jaw pain a dental emergency? Jaw pain can be a dental emergency if you allow it to worsen over time. Getting treatment early on ensures you a better chance of avoiding the potential of lockjaw or symptoms that are more serious.

How you should handle jaw pain: Treating jaw pain at home requires that you avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. Too much pressure applied by eating will only cause more pain. You’ll always want to stop any bad habits that result in added tension to your jaw joints, including biting your nails or eating ice.

How we treat jaw pain: The way we address jaw pain is determined by the underlying cause. If grinding and clenching your teeth at night is the issue, we might recommend a custom nightguard for bruxism. If the pain is the result of a misaligned bite, you may need orthodontic treatment or an occlusal adjustment. It might also be required that you seek additional TMJ treatment.

Learn More About Nightguards

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Having a piece of food lodged between your teeth is generally not a dental emergency, especially since you can remove it by rinsing your mouth with warm water and using dental floss. However, if you reach for toothpicks, tweezers, forks, or other sharp items, you run the risk of damaging your teeth and gums, which will result in a trip to the emergency dentist’s office.