On this page, we’re going to answer:

• What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency
• What Should You Do If You Have a Dental Emergency
• When Should You See an Emergency Dentist

Fortunately, emergency dental care is considered an “essential service” under COVID-19 restrictions. That means if you’re in pain or need emergency dental care, our Princeton dentist can still help your family.

What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?

Any situation that would normally limit your daily activities — such as being able to work, go to school, or eat — qualifies as a dental emergency. If you’re in pain, the best thing to do is to see an emergency dentist instead of heading to the hospital emergency room.

Some of the situations where you would need to contact our Princeton dentist include situations involving:

• Toothaches
• Abscessed teeth
• Swelling in your mouth or gums
• A broken tooth
• Broken fillings, crowns, bridges, etc.
• Cracked dentures or partials
• Throbbing or sharp tooth pain
• Drainage or pus
• Chipped teeth
• Difficulty eating because of tooth pain

We can send you helpful videos explaining specific types of dental problems, so that you can get fast pain relief during your emergency and know what to do next.

Tooth pain is usually the top priority for same-day treatment. If you’re not sure whether your situation warrants itself as a true emergency, you can still safely speak with Dr. Bestandji via our teledentistry app! That way you’ll get amazing dental care while still being able to practice social distancing.

What Should I do if I Have a Dental Emergency?

If you’re in pain or have a dental emergency, the first thing you should do is to schedule a teledentistry appointment online which is available 24/7.  From there, we’ll be able to share information like existing X-rays, past notes, and you can even upload pictures of your teeth to show us what’s going on. It’s almost like having a same-day emergency appointment!

Together, you and Dr. Bestandji (our emergency dentist in Princeton) will discuss the best course of action. We may direct you to take an antibiotic or pain reliever, pick up a temporary filling material from the drugstore, or to arrange to meet us at the office to treat your tooth.

COVID-19 makes it challenging to safely see emergency dental patients because most offices are closed except for emergency care services. Fortunately, dental emergencies qualify as essential care. Conducting your initial screening over the teledentistry platform protects your safety, limits your chances of exposure during a time of social distancing, and cuts back on having to leave your home.

While you’re waiting for your virtual dental evaluation, you can do a few things to help alleviate any discomfort. Start by taking a pain reliever (such as Tylenol ©). You can also rinse with warm saltwater to help reduce any swelling, which is the primary cause of tooth pain. Clean around your tooth thoroughly to check for any food stuck between teeth and under your gums. Additionally, you can apply a cool compress to that side of your mouth for 20 minutes at a time.

When Should I See an Emergency Dentist?

Dental emergencies can’t wait. Delaying care for a toothache or dental abscess could lead to serious consequences that result in hospitalization. At a time where hospitals are already crowded due to the pandemic, it’s best to treat your tooth pain via other methods.

Same-day dental care during social distancing is still available. You just have to know where to look! At Canal Vista Family Dental, we encourage you to contact us via our teledentistry app any time you’re in pain or are experiencing a dental emergency. Share photos and speak with a dentist without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home. Don’t risk your health to COVID-19 when there’s a safer option available.

After your brief screening through our Princeton teledentistry service — if we decide that we need to see you in our office — there will be certain procedures to follow to ensure everyone’s safety. Be sure to let us know if you’re experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 (including a fever, cough, or travel history to a hot zone). We’ll also take your temperature when you arrive. We are limiting visitors to one person, unless of course it is a child who needs a caregiver to accompany them.

Speak to an Emergency Dentist in Princeton Today

Every call goes directly to Dr. Bestandji’s cell phone, due to our office being closed outside of non-emergency services. We’re still committed to providing you with quality care, even during this time of uncertainty in our community.

Canal Vista Family Dental provides same-day emergency dentistry (via teledentistry) to existing and new patients. So, if you currently don’t have a family dentist or haven’t seen a dentist in Princeton before but you’re in pain, you can still contact us for a virtual consultation. Keeping your smile healthy is easier than ever, thanks to the technology that’s now available to dentists and their patients!