Dental Emergencies

Do you think you're experiencing a dental emergency? 

Please read the information below about what to do in case of a dental emergency, how to identify the symptoms of a dental emergency, and steps you can take until your appointment. Life Dental Specialties provides Emergency Dental Services in Springfield and Hadley, MA. Call us to learn more and schedule your appointment.

During regular business hours, call our office. We’ll give your situation immediate attention and see you as soon as possible.

After office hours, please call our office and follow the instructions provided. We’ll return your call as soon as possible.

If you are experiencing a severe or life-threatening emergency, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

A dental emergency can be loosely defined as anything that causes pain or discomfort and needs to be resolved immediately.

Dental emergencies can include the following:

• Trauma or injury to the mouth
• Chipped, broken, or loose teeth
• Dislodged filling, crown, onlay, or implant
• Persistent toothache
• Loss of sensation in a tooth or the jaw
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Sudden changes to the gums, such as inflammation or swelling

Schedule an appointment immediately if you believe you require emergency dental care; it’s better to be cautious. When a tooth is knocked out, there’s only a brief window of opportunity to save it. Other conditions, such as a dental abscess, tend to worsen quickly and can even result in systemic illness.

If you experience severe or sudden pain, seek emergency dental care. Seek medical attention immediately if you sustain a mouth injury.

If something happens to your teeth or gums, the following three steps will alleviate discomfort until you can see a dentist:

1. Rinse thoroughly with warm water to remove debris and help stop any bleeding.
2. Apply pressure to the painful area. If you are bleeding from a specific tooth or laceration, apply gauze to the site to absorb the blood and stop the bleeding. Apply a cold compress to assist in reducing swelling.
3. If necessary, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) to relieve pain and swelling from a toothache. Avoid Advil (ibuprofen) if bleeding occurs.

It's a good idea to know what your insurance covers and your coverage limits. Your insurance card may indicate what treatments and procedures are covered and if you have any yearly limits. Your card should provide a phone number you can call if you have any questions for your insurance carrier.