Regardless of the situation, try to remain calm and know that our team is here to help you. When a dental emergency occurs either to you or a loved one, act quickly for the best possible results:
Whether it is a toothache in Lincoln, a busted lip, an abscess, or a knocked-out tooth, our team at Williamsburg Dental is equipped and ready to address your dental emergency as quickly as possible. Knowing you have qualified individuals who can offer restorative care when you need it most is crucial, but what if you’re unsure if you need urgent treatment? We encourage you to give us a call anyway! Not all dental emergencies are easy to identify, but they worsen if left untreated. Don't hesitate to call us if you are experiencing worrisome symptoms or any of the following.
Toothaches
Toothaches
Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency?
It certainly is! A toothache can be excruciating and make you miserable. No one should endure tooth pain any longer than necessary. If you have a toothache, call us right away for an emergency visit so that we can address the problem, which is most likely deep decay in the tooth. In this situation, harmful bacteria and acids have eroded the structure and reached the sensitive center called the pulp.
How You Should Handle a Toothache
After you call us, you may take an over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce discomfort. You can also apply a cold compress to your face to manage swelling and numb pain. In addition, you should avoid triggering a sensitive response by refraining from eating or drinking hot, cold, or sugary substances, which can only aggravate the issue.
How We Treat Toothaches
Although tooth pain may sometimes be remedied with a simple filling, this problem most often requires root canal therapy and a dental crown. Regardless of what treatment you need in your situation, our team will take away the source of the pain and help you feel like your usual self.
Learn More About Root Canals
Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings
Chipped
Tooth
Chipped Teeth
Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?
Although a chipped tooth may not hurt as badly as other dental emergencies, it is still considered one because most people want to fix it immediately. Plus, a chipped tooth can make eating more challenging, hindering your ability to bite or chew your food correctly. In this case, you’ll especially want to address the problem urgently.
How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth
Try to find the piece(s) of your tooth and bring them with you when you visit one of our offices. If the tooth has a sharp point or edge, you can protect your gums, tongue, and lips by applying dental wax or sugar-free gum.
How We Treat Chipped Teeth
Depending on the severity of the chip, we can offer several cosmetic procedures. In most cases, you may choose between filling in the chip with composite resin (also called dental bonding) or covering the tooth with a veneer. A dental crown may be the best option for restoring a damaged tooth.
Learn More About Porcelain Veneers
Learn More About Porcelain Crowns
Cracked
Tooth
Cracked Tooth
Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?
Most of the time, a cracked tooth is a dental emergency. The tooth can have a minor cosmetic crack, but you should have it checked to see whether the tooth has suffered more structural damage underneath. Plus, a crack can allow bacteria to penetrate deeper, which can lead to severe pain or even tooth loss.
How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth
Following your call to one of our Lincoln offices, you should rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to keep the tooth clean and avoid biting or chewing with that area of your mouth. In addition, you should consider protecting the tooth from cavity-causing bacteria by putting dental wax or sugar-free gum over it.
How We Treat Cracked Teeth
Treatment for cracked teeth depends on how deep the crack is. In mild cases, we may be able to use composite resin or a dental crown to hold the tooth together. Root canal therapy may be necessary to prevent tooth pain in the future, but if the crack goes below the gumline, we’ll need to extract it.
Learn More About Cracked Teeth
Learn More About Root Canals
Learn More About Tooth Extractions
Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings
Sensitivity to
Hot & Cold
Very Sensitive Teeth
Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency?
Possibly. Minor sensitivity is relatively normal, but very sensitive teeth could be more worrisome. Tooth sensitivity can result from several issues. Sometimes, it’s a sign of decay that is starting to delve deeper into the tooth. Or it could be that your gums have receded, exposing the unprotected root surfaces underneath. Also, your enamel could be worn down, allowing bacteria access to the more vulnerable dentin layer.
How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth
Monitor your sensitivity closely and pay attention to triggers. If your sensitivity worsens or intensifies, definitely contact us for an immediate appointment. You should also schedule an emergency visit if you find it difficult to function with sensitive teeth.
How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth
Treatment can vary depending on the cause of your tooth sensitivity. If you have a cavity, we can address the decay and restore the tooth using a dental crown or filling. Keep in mind that a root canal may be necessary. In other situations, we may need to apply composite resin to your teeth to protect them from extreme temperatures and other triggers.
Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings
Learn More About Root Canals
Knocked-Out
Tooth
Knocked-Out Tooth
Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency?
Absolutely! Once your adult teeth erupt, they are supposed to last the rest of your life and shouldn’t come out. Time is especially important in this type of situation. A knocked-out tooth can be saved for just a limited time, so you need to act quickly and give us a call right away.
How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth
When picking up the tooth, only touch the crown, the part that usually shows above the gums. Do not touch the root! Gently rinse the tooth and your mouth with clean water and try to reposition it in the socket. If you can’t do this, put the tooth in a container of milk to keep it moist until you get to our office.
How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth
Once you arrive at our office, we will ensure your jawbone has not sustained additional damage. Then, we will reseat the tooth within the socket and place a splint, which is an oral appliance that attaches the tooth to the surrounding teeth for stability. The splint will hold it in position while the jawbone and other tissues heal and secure it like before. If we are unable to save the tooth, we can then talk about your replacement options, namely a bridge or a dental implant.
Learn More About Dental Implants
Lost Filling
or Crown
Lost Filling or Crown
Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency?
A lost restoration is considered a dental emergency because your tooth becomes exposed and weakened without it. Even if you aren’t experiencing any pain, this issue needs to be addressed immediately to protect the more vulnerable tooth structure underneath.
How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown
If you can, find the filling or crown and rinse it with clean water. Then, apply a dab of toothpaste to the restoration and reseat it onto the tooth. This should temporarily hold it in position until you can come in. If the filling or crown is badly damaged or you cannot find it, you may put sugar-free gum over the tooth to protect it from bacteria.
How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns
Depending on the condition and age of your restoration, we may be able to reattach it to the tooth. However, in most cases, we’ll need to replace the filling or crown.
Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings
Broken
Denture
Broken Dentures
Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency?
Yes, it is. Without a functioning denture, you cannot bite or chew your food for proper digestion. A broken denture can also be painful to have in your mouth and needs to be fixed as soon as possible.
How You Should Handle a Broken Denture
Do not wear a broken denture because it could cut or damage your gum tissue. Give us a call right away! In the meantime, we recommend sticking to a soft food diet until you can come in.
How We Treat Broken Dentures
Within our office, we can only make very small adjustments to dentures, so most likely we’ll need to order new dentures from our dental lab to replace your broken ones.
Learn More About Dentures
Loose
Tooth
Loose Permanent Tooth
Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency?
Given that your permanent teeth are supposed to last a lifetime, it can be concerning if you have one or more that feel loose. Most often, it indicates a problem that needs immediate attention, such as advanced gum disease or facial trauma.
How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth
After scheduling an appointment with us, try not to disturb the loose tooth and avoid eating with that area of your mouth.
How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth
If your loose teeth result from advanced gum disease, we’ll administer therapy to eliminate the infection and save your teeth. However, keep in mind that we may need to extract teeth even with treatment. At that point, we can talk about your replacement options.
Learn More About Dentures
Learn More About Dental Implants
Gums, Lips or
Tongue Injury
Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue
Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency?
It may be. Damage to your soft tissues could mean that other structural damage has also occurred, so you should contact us for an emergency visit, even if it’s to double-check.
How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue
Your priority should be stopping the bleeding by holding a clean cloth or gauze to the injury. Most of the time, bleeding should stop within 10 minutes. If it doesn’t, you may need to go to the emergency room to see if something more serious is wrong.
How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue
When you come in, we’ll not only look at your soft tissue injury but also at your other oral structures to make sure everything is okay. If needed, we can provide stitches or other therapies to help your tissues heal.
Jaw Pain or
Clenching
Jaw Pain
Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency?
Most of the time, jaw pain is not considered an emergency. However, if you find it difficult or too painful to open and close your mouth or if eating becomes challenging, you may need to schedule an urgent appointment.
How You Should Handle Jaw Pain
To relieve jaw pain, you can apply warm and cold compresses to your face. You should also avoid hard or crunchy foods to reduce the stress your jaw has to endure.
How We Treat Jaw Pain
Once we understand what is causing your jaw pain, we can treat it, potentially with a nightguard to prevent grinding and clenching.
Something Stuck
Between Teeth
Something Stuck Between the Teeth
It’s not uncommon to get a bit of food stuck between your teeth now and then, especially if you’re eating popcorn or corn on the cob. However, most of the time, these should come out easily with gentle flossing, which you should ideally do at least once daily. If you have something that you can’t remove even with floss, then you can call us. Do not attempt to use a sharp object like a knife to remove the stuck object because it can damage your teeth or your soft tissues. It’s not worth the risk. We have the correct tools and training to handle this situation properly.
Dental emergencies should always be considered serious. Preparing your family and yourself in advance is the best way to deal with any dental emergency. The next time you find yourself in need of emergency dentistry services, don't think twice about giving us a call at (402) 281-9367 or (402) 281-9544 for the immediate care you need. Williamsburg Dental proudly serves families throughout Lincoln and the surrounding communities.
Some people think they can save on dental costs by not visiting the dentist, even in an emergency. However, that choice makes dire circumstances worse! You should seek our help when you notice a problem because dental issues only get more advanced (and more expensive) with time. If you wait for treatment, you’ll likely pay more to fix the problem than if you come earlier. Our team can work with you to make your treatment affordable so that your dental emergency is less painful financially.
We treat every patient and emergency with the same compassion and attention to detail; however, they can vary and require different procedures. Even two patients who experience the same dental emergency may require different treatments. For example, tooth pain in one patient may necessitate a root canal to remove decay, while another patient with a toothache may be treated with a filling. It is impossible to know what you’ll need (and what you’ll owe) until we examine your mouth. In other words, only after we’ve evaluated the damage to your smile can we explain your treatment options and the associated costs.
Unexpected dental problems can ruin or at least disrupt your day, but they don’t have to derail your finances. Our team is happy to work with you and find solutions that make treatment affordable. While dental insurance won’t assume all of the cost, it can cut your out-of-pocket expenses, depending on the treatment you need. We’re proud to accept most PPO dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental, Guardian, and MetLife. When we file claims on your behalf, we’ll do our best to maximize your coverage, saving you as much money as possible. If you have questions, you can contact your insurance provider or our team.
If you don’t have dental insurance, you have a budget-friendly alternative available with Williamsburg Dental’s Membership Savings Plan. In addition to preventive care, these plans cover one free emergency exam annually and provide a 25 percent discount on other services, such as root canals and fillings.
Additionally, we understand that paying for treatment in one lump sum may financially stretch you too thin for comfort. That’s why we also accept payment through CareCredit. We can even help you apply for financing right here in our dental office and break the cost into more manageable monthly payments.
If you are looking to avoid the cost of treating a dental emergency, you need to maintain your smile properly. Are you diligent in your oral healthcare routine? Daily brushing and flossing may seem insignificant, but these, along with regular dental checkups and cleanings, play a critical role in keeping your smile healthy. You may still encounter issues even when you follow these instructions, but having healthy dental habits can lessen the severity of the problem and therefore save you money when we resolve it. In fact, it’s estimated that every dollar spent on prevention can save up to $50 in treatment later on!
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In other words, you’re better off putting in a little effort to prevent trouble from happening in the first place than treating a big problem later on. This old saying is definitely true when it comes to your oral health. In most cases, but not all, dental emergencies can be avoided altogether through a few simple steps.
If you are diligent in your at-home care, you may think these efforts are enough to maintain a healthy mouth. However, every six months at least, you need to visit Williamsburg Dental for your checkup and cleaning appointment, where we will remove tartar deposits and stop decay before it starts. We also examine your mouth for signs of existing decay or infection. If we find anything concerning, we can address it immediately using less intensive (i.e., less expensive) treatment than if you wait until you notice it on your own.
Making a huge difference for your smile’s health can be accomplished through little effort. For example, be sure to brush and floss your teeth every day to keep plaque buildup to a minimum. These crucial habits help you get rid of plaque before it hardens and leads to decay, weakened enamel, and infections.
Did you know that what you eat feeds not just you but also the bacteria in your mouth? Foods with high sugar or carbohydrate content promote the growth of the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. This means that by limiting these foods, you’ll slow down their production of harmful acids and help your mouth stay healthy.
If you play any sport where contact to the face can occur, your teeth could be at risk of being knocked out. Wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth from an impact. At Williamsburg Dental, we know that one-size-fits-all mouthguards, which you can purchase at sports stores, can be uncomfortable or slip. That’s why we can provide you with a custom mouthguard that fits properly and feels right.
Struggling to open a bag or break into a package can be frustrating, but resist the temptation to use your teeth to open it! Take an extra minute or two to get a pair of scissors or another appropriate tool. Your teeth already experience enough force and pressure to bite and chew your food. They don’t need to be chipped or fractured for something easily done with the right tool. For the same reason, you should also avoid chewing hard food or objects like ice, popcorn kernels, and pens.
