Emergency Dentist – Hackettstown, NJ
The Professional, Fast Dental Care You Need
At Skylands Dental of New Jersey, we understand that accidents happen. That’s why we always keep some room in our daily schedule for dentistry patients who are experiencing dental emergencies. Whether one of your teeth was suddenly knocked out or you woke up with a raging toothache, our dental team will work to get you seen by Dr. Ari Kakkar, a skilled emergency dentist in Hackettstown, NJ, as soon as possible. Don’t delay the professional, fast dental care you need; call us right away!
Why Choose Skylands Dental of New Jersey for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Dental Visits Available for Emergencies
- Nitrous Oxide Sedation Offered for Comfort
- Gentle, Experienced Dentist
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
Although dental emergencies can be alarming, do your best to stay calm. Take some deep breaths and give our dental office a call. Then, our team will take the reins by:
- Scheduling your same-day visit – We try to see emergency patients as quickly as possible, usually later that very day. Until then, we can provide advice over the phone for reducing your discomfort at home.
- Evaluating your mouth – Soon after you arrive at our dental office, Dr. Kakkar will examine the area of your mouth that’s troubling you. He can also work to relieve any immediate pain you might be in.
- Planning your treatment – Once Dr. Kakkar identifies the problem, he can recommend one or more treatments. Then, our team can estimate the costs and timeline associated with these treatments.
- Providing the care you need – Because of Dr. Kakkar’s impressive experience, he can perform a variety of dental procedures in-house. Whatever treatment you need, your safety and comfort will always be our top priorities.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies tend to fall into one of two categories: a sudden injury or accident, or an infection or decay that has been gradually worsening for some time. Regardless of which situation you’re dealing with, we ask that you reach out to us if you’re experiencing any unusual discomfort in your mouth. Definitely do so if you find yourself with one of these common dental emergencies.
Toothaches
Chipped Tooth
Cracked Tooth
Sensitivity to
Hot & Cold
Knocked-Out
Tooth
Broken Denture
Loose Tooth
Lost Filling or
Crown
Jaw Pain or
Clenching
Something Stuck
Between Teeth
Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies
The best way to minimize the cost of dental emergencies is to seek treatment right away; waiting too long will only make the problem worse and more expensive to fix. Since each emergency is different, providing a cost estimate before Dr. Kakkar has evaluated your situation is nearly impossible. Every patient requires different treatment, after all. Rest assured that our dental office will help you save on your care by maximizing your dental insurance benefits.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
- Brush and floss every day to reduce plaque buildup on your teeth.
- Schedule regular checkups so that Dr. Kakkar can identify any early warning signs of emergencies and stop them in their tracks.
- Wear an athletic mouthguard if you play sports that could potentially injure your teeth.
- Don’t chew on inedible hard objects like ice cubes, pen tips, or fingernails.
Root Canal Treatment
We understand that the words “root canal” can be scary but let us assure you that the procedure can actually relieve pain instead of causing it. Often recommended in cases of severe tooth decay, root canal therapy involves removing the diseased tissue in the center of a tooth. This not only eliminates intense toothaches, but it also helps the tooth last for many years to come. Plus, modern anesthetic technology makes root canals no more painful than fillings.
Tooth Extractions
Although our goal here at Skylands Dental of New Jersey is to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible, the best source of treatment may sometimes involve removing a tooth. We’ll only recommend tooth extractions as a last resort, such as when no other procedure could make the tooth healthy and functional again. You can rest easy knowing that with Dr. Kakkar’s expertise and gentle touch, your tooth extraction should be quite comfortable from start to finish.
Learn More About Tooth Extractions
Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Many people’s jaws aren’t large enough to accommodate the wisdom teeth, which erupt behind all of the other teeth around the time a person reaches adulthood. When this occurs, the wisdom teeth may push against the molars, causing pain, a higher risk of infection, and various other problems. If Dr. Kakkar determines that you could benefit from wisdom tooth extractions, he’ll make sure to comfortably remove these teeth and make your smile healthier.
Dental Emergency FAQs
How Should I Sleep with Tooth Pain?
Sleeping can be quite difficult if you’re experiencing a dull, persistent throbbing or a sharp, stabbing pain. The good news is that there are several ways you can alleviate your discomfort temporarily, starting with using a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time. Then, about 30 minutes before bed, take OTC pain medication as directed and prop yourself up on a few pillows so blood doesn’t rush to your head.
Bonus tip: Avoid eating anything at dinner that could exacerbate your symptoms, like spicy, crunchy, and sugary foods.
What if My Toothache Suddenly Disappears?
If your toothache suddenly disappears, you might assume that the root of the problem is gone. Usually, the opposite is true: it has “killed” the nerve of your tooth. Since there is only a finite amount of time left to save it (as well as protect the surrounding teeth and gums from harm), it’s of the utmost importance that you schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Hackettstown right away.
Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?
Typically, hospitals don’t have dentists on staff. For that reason, we only recommend going to the ER if you are experiencing potentially life-threatening symptoms, like uncontrollable bleeding. If that’s not the case, then your first call should be to our Hackettstown dental office. Over the phone, a member of our team will learn more about the reason for your visit, schedule an emergency appointment, and walk you through what to do until you arrive.
Do I Need to Go to The Dentist for A Small Chip in My Tooth?
Although minor chips often don’t require immediate attention, we do recommend calling us, even if it’s to schedule an appointment before the end of the week. That way, we can assess the severity of the damage and determine if the inner layers of the tooth are exposed. If that’s the case, it’s important that we restore the missing structure to prevent it from breaking further.
Should You Put a Knocked-Out Tooth in Water?
Unfortunately, water cannot preserve the root surface cells of your tooth. So, you should not put it in water. Instead, you should place it back in its socket or, if it doesn’t slide back into place easily, place it in a clean container filled with milk or saline solution.
Is It Safe to Use A Toothpick?
There are a few reasons we encourage our patients NOT to use a toothpick, including that accidentally swallowing one can be fatal. If you get something lodged between your teeth, the best thing to do is to rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm saltwater. Then, use a clean strand of floss to gently remove the debris.
What Does Chronic Bad Breath Mean?
If you’re struggling with an unpleasant odor on your breath, try eliminating white fish, garlic, and other pungent foods from your diet. Then, transition your focus to your oral hygiene regimen, which should start with brushing your teeth for two full minutes and extend to cleaning your tongue. If the smell continues to persist, then don’t hesitate to schedule an exam with us. That way, we can determine if the root of the problem is an untreated oral health problem, like gum disease.