Dr. Nathan W. Tilman, Dr. Dianne Pannes, Dr. Brian May, Dr. James Safford, and Dr. Aaron Ramos prioritize dental emergencies because they know pain and trauma can’t wait. Their quick response and skilled treatment get you out of pain and protect your oral health from further damage.
Experience compassionate care at Newport Family & Cosmetic Dentistry (Newport) and Portsmouth Dental Associates (Portsmouth)—two convenient locations under one trusted team.
Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies take many forms, but they all share one thing—they require immediate attention. Severe toothaches that keep you awake at night signal infection or decay reaching your tooth’s nerve. Knocked-out teeth need reimplantation within an hour for the best chance of survival. Broken or cracked teeth expose sensitive inner layers and create sharp edges that cut your tongue and cheeks.
Lost fillings or crowns leave teeth vulnerable to further damage and temperature sensitivity. Abscesses—pus-filled infections in your gums or at tooth roots—can spread to other parts of your body if left untreated. Soft tissue injuries like cut lips, torn cheeks, or punctured tongues bleed heavily and risk infection. Orthodontic emergencies like broken wires can poke and irritate your mouth. All these situations demand quick professional care.
When to Seek Emergency Dental Care
Some dental problems feel urgent but can wait until regular business hours. Others require immediate attention to save your tooth or prevent serious complications. Understanding the difference helps you respond appropriately when problems arise.
Seek Immediate Emergency Care For:
- Severe tooth pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medication
- Knocked-out permanent teeth
- Teeth that feel loose or partially dislodged
- Significant bleeding that won’t stop after 10 minutes of pressure
- Facial swelling that affects breathing or swallowing
- Abscesses or infections causing fever
- Broken jaw or facial trauma
- Large pieces of broken teeth
Less urgent issues like minor chips without pain, small pieces of broken fillings, or lost temporary crowns can typically wait a day or two. Call our office to describe your situation—we’ll tell you honestly whether you need same-day treatment or can schedule a regular appointment.
First Aid Before You Reach Us
Taking the right steps before arriving for emergency dentistry in Newport can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes. For knocked-out teeth, time matters critically. Pick up the tooth by its crown—never touch the root. Rinse it gently with water if dirty, but don’t scrub or remove attached tissue. Try to place the tooth back in its socket if possible, or keep it moist in milk or saliva while you rush to our office.
Broken teeth benefit from rinsing your mouth with warm water and applying a cold compress to reduce swelling. Save any tooth fragments you find—we might use them in your repair. For severe bleeding, apply firm pressure with clean gauze for 10 minutes. Keep applying pressure until bleeding stops or you reach our office.
Toothaches often respond temporarily to over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compresses applied to your cheek. Avoid placing aspirin directly on your gums—it burns tissue. Never apply heat to dental pain as it can worsen infections. These measures buy you some relief until Dr. Tilman or his colleagues can address the underlying problem.
What to Expect During Your Emergency Visit
We understand dental emergencies create stress and anxiety. Our team works quickly to assess your situation and provide relief. Your emergency appointment begins with describing what happened and when your symptoms started. We’ll examine the affected area thoroughly and take X-rays if needed to understand the full extent of damage or infection.
Pain relief comes first. Dr. Pannes, Dr. May, Dr. Safford, or Dr. Ramos will numb the area and may prescribe medication for pain and inflammation. Once you’re comfortable, we’ll explain what happened and discuss treatment options. Some emergencies get resolved completely in one visit—re-cementing a crown, treating an infection, or repairing a simple fracture.
Complex cases might require temporary stabilization during your emergency visit with definitive treatment scheduled for a follow-up appointment. For example, a tooth needing root canal treatment might receive initial therapy to eliminate infection, with final restoration completed later. We’ll never leave you in pain or with unstable dental work.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
While accidents happen, many dental emergencies stem from preventable causes. Regular dental checkups catch small problems before they become painful emergencies. That small cavity detected early gets a simple filling, but ignored, it progresses until the tooth breaks or infection develops, requiring emergency treatment.
Wear a custom mouthguard during sports—they protect against knocked-out and broken teeth far better than generic store-bought versions. Address teeth grinding with a nightguard before you crack teeth from excessive force. Don’t use your teeth as tools to open packages, hold objects, or crack nuts. These habits cause fractures that land you in the emergency chair.
Pay attention to warning signs your body sends. Persistent sensitivity to hot or cold, gums that bleed regularly, or dull aching that comes and goes all signal developing problems. Addressing these issues proactively prevents middle-of-the-night pain that demands emergency care.
Insurance and Payment for Emergencies
Most dental insurance plans cover emergency treatment similarly to regular procedures. We’ll verify your coverage and handle insurance claims to maximize your benefits. If you lack insurance, don’t let cost prevent you from seeking necessary care. Dental infections can become life-threatening if they spread, and knocked-out teeth lose viability with each passing hour.
We offer flexible payment options and financing to make emergency care accessible. Discuss your concerns openly—we’ll work with you to ensure you receive the treatment you need. Your health and safety matter more than payment arrangements, and we’ll find a solution that works.
After Emergency Treatment
Follow all post-treatment instructions carefully to ensure proper healing. Take prescribed medications as directed—finish the entire course of antibiotics even if you feel better. Stick to soft foods if instructed and avoid chewing on the treated side. Maintain gentle oral hygiene around the affected area, but don’t skip brushing and flossing elsewhere.
Schedule any recommended follow-up appointments promptly. Emergency treatment often serves as the first phase of care, with additional visits needed to complete restoration. Missing these appointments risks treatment failure and recurrence of problems.
Watch for warning signs that healing isn’t progressing normally—increasing pain, swelling, fever, or discharge. Contact our office immediately if these symptoms develop. Most emergency dental work heals predictably, but catching complications early prevents serious problems.
Emergency Dentistry in Newport
Dental emergencies create stress, pain, and worry. You shouldn’t face these situations alone or struggle to find care. Emergency dentistry means having a skilled team ready to help when urgent problems arise. We reserve appointment slots for same-day emergencies and respond quickly to calls from patients in distress.
Don’t suffer through dental pain or risk permanent damage by delaying treatment. Contact Newport Family and Cosmetic Dentistry immediately when dental emergencies strike. Dr. Nathan W. Tilman, Dr. Dianne Pannes, Dr. Brian May, Dr. James Safford, and Dr. Aaron Ramos will see you promptly and provide the expert care you need. Call our office now—we’re ready to help!