Emergency Dental in Queens, NY

It’s not always easy to tell if you have a dental emergency. If the pain is mild, you can probably wait a day or two before seeing the dentist. But if the pain in your jaw, gums, or teeth is severe — or if a tooth has been knocked out completely — get help right away.

If you wait too long, small problems can turn into real emergencies. It helps to already have a dentist who handles emergency care for your family. That way, no one has to suffer with intense pain longer than necessary. Same-day emergency dental care usually covers symptoms like:

• A knocked-out tooth. A knocked-out tooth is one of the clearest reasons to seek emergency dental care. The pain can make it hard to function. You may keep losing blood. And you could lose the tooth for good.
• Tooth pain that you can’t explain. If you have severe pain and don’t know why, see a dentist quickly. It could be a serious problem, like an infection that leads to an abscess … or worse.
• Abscess. An abscessed tooth can cause pain that's hard to bear. It may be hard to talk, breathe, eat, or drink. Without emergency care, the infection can spread to other parts of your mouth and body.
• When a crown or filling falls out. You'll usually know right away if a crown falls out. You'll also notice when you lose a filling— you may taste metal, and hot, cold, or even cold air can make you wince. Don't ignore these signs. Waiting can lead to more urgent care, like a root canal.
• Nerves become exposed. Exposed nerve pain can hurt just as much as a bad infection. If the pain suddenly stops, that's not always good news — the nerve may be too damaged to send pain signals anymore.
• Jaw or mouth inflammation. Swelling can have many causes, so find out why right away. Swollen lymph nodes often mean a sinus infection. But jaw pain and swelling together can sometimes mean a tumor is growing.
• Gums bleeding. Minor bleeding from brushing hard or flossing isn't unusual. It's often an early sign of gum disease or plaque buildup. This usually isn't an emergency, but tell your dentist at your next visit. Call CitiDental of Woodhaven right away if the bleeding won't stop, or if it comes with swelling and pain.

Over-the-counter pain medicine often isn't enough for tooth pain that keeps you up at night. That's when you should call our office. The team at CitiDental of Woodhaven can tell you over the phone what to do until we see you.

While you wait for your appointment, a few simple steps can help:

• Take ibuprofen instead of aspirin — it fights inflammation and eases pain and swelling
• Rinse gently with warm salt water
• Floss gently around the sore tooth — food may be stuck there
• Hold a cold compress on the outside of your cheek, not directly on the gums

The Mayo Clinic also warns against rubbing aspirin or benzocaine gel directly on your gums. Benzocaine has been linked to a rare but serious condition that lowers the blood's ability to carry oxygen. Always check with your dentist before trying any home remedy.

When you call CitiDental of Woodhaven about a dental emergency, we'll ask a few quick questions about your symptoms. This helps us prioritize your visit and tell you what to bring. At the appointment, you can usually expect:

• An exam, and an X-ray if needed, to find the source of the pain or damage
• Quick steps to control pain, infection, or bleeding
• A clear explanation of your options — for example, whether a root canal can save the tooth, or it needs to come out
• A plan for follow-up treatment, like a permanent crown or repair, once the emergency is handled

We're your family dentist, so we can treat kids too — after a sports injury or a fall. Just call ahead so we know you're coming.