Emergency Dentistry Albuquerque

Broken Tooth? Oral Discomfort? We’re Here to Help

Dental emergencies never seem to come at a time that is convenient for patients and families. If you or a loved one is struggling with alarming dental trauma,  Dr. Monica Boehmer welcomes your call to our dental office. As an emergency dentist in Albuquerque, she strives to accommodate urgent situations as soon as possible – you will never have to worry about being made to wait in vain for days or weeks at a time. Our team members can also provide first-aid guidance over the phone if you’re unable to reach our practice for some time.  Contact us today!

Why Choose Dr. Monica Boehmer for Emergency Dental Care?

  • Outstanding Restorative Solutions For Fractured, Tender, & Lost Teeth
  • Same-Day Appointments Available for Emergency Patients
  • Calming Sedation Options for Comfortable Treatment

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Woman in striped shirt with tooth pain

Have you fractured, dislodged, or even knocked out a natural tooth? Are you experiencing a great deal of sensitivity in a specific area of the mouth? These accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, and often when patients and families are least expecting them. As a first step, please do your best to remain calm. Then, follow these easy steps to get your dental emergency under control:

  • Step 1: Pick up the phone and contact our Albuquerque dental practice to schedule your emergency dental appointment, typically for the same day.
  • Step 2: Follow the first-aid instructions provided by one of our experienced team members over the phone for handling your situation until you arrive at our office.
  • Step 3: See Dr. Boehmer for your emergency dental exam, where she will address your dental discomfort and examine your teeth and gums to learn more about your emergency.
  • Step 4: Dr. Boehmer will review her findings with you and explain which treatments she recommends. Together, you’ll create a custom treatment plan.
  • Step 5: Our talented team will get to work right away to repair your smile and save your teeth. If needed, we may offer calming dental sedation for maximum comfort and stress-free treatment. 

Unparalleled Experience & Qualifications

Woman with tooth pain visiting emergency dentist in Albuquerque

When it comes to credentials and clinical training, Dr. Boehmer’s dedication is truly second to none in the greater Albuquerque community. She has completed over 1,500 hours of continuing education in advanced services, including time spent at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute and with SPEAR Education. She is also a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, which is an accolade that only around 7% of general dentists in the world achieve over the course of their careers. She will address your dental emergency from an angle of true expertise, revitalizing teeth with plenty of meticulous attention to detail.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies tend to fall into two distinct categories: those that are brought about by a sudden injury or accident, and those that gradually develop over time due to an untreated issue or poor oral hygiene. While some dental emergencies are easy to identify, others can be more confusing. Generally, if you are experiencing a damaged or knocked-out tooth, a toothache, or any other concerning symptoms in your mouth, don’t hesitate to call us right away. Even if you are unsure if your situation qualifies as a dental emergency, you should call us anyways. Over the phone, we’ll determine if you need to be seen right away or if your situation can be handled at home. Below, you’ll find some important information about handling and treating the most common dental emergencies.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Preventing dental emergencies may not always be possible; however, your teeth and gums can be better protected against infection and accidental falls as long as you take a proactive approach. At the dental office of Dr. Monica Boehmer, our team is here to provide helpful tips to ensure that your smile remains damage-free throughout the year. Take a look below and feel free to give us a call if you have any questions.

Keep Your Regular Dental Appointments

Dr. Boehmer is not the only one to recommend six-month dental checkups and teeth cleanings. The American Dental Association also suggests twice-yearly visits because of the benefits they can have on one’s oral and overall health. Forgoing this type of treatment can lead to infections, tooth loss, and more. By allowing our skilled team to examine your teeth, gums, and facial structures, we can make sure that no decay, cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer exists. Clearing away accumulated plaque and tartar from your smile also allows for a reduced risk of gum pockets and advanced periodontitis.

Keep Brushing and Flossing

While seeing your dentist twice each year for professional exams and cleanings is important, the remainder of the year should have you practicing good oral hygiene habits at home. Your daily routine of brushing, flossing, and rinsing are great ways to reduce the number of bad oral bacteria inside your mouth. When allowed to accumulate, it can break down tooth enamel, causing cavities to form. However, staying on top of your dental routine will help lower your chances of experiencing a dental emergency.

Be Mindful of What You Eat

A healthy diet does more than help with your gut and weight. It also aids in caring for your teeth and gums. Too much sugar and starch can cause cavities and severe toothaches – two things that require timely attention from your dentist. But incorporating plenty of leafy greens, lean meats like turkey, chicken, and fish, calcium-enriched foods, fruits and vegetables, and water into your diet will help to safeguard your teeth and soft oral tissues from plaque and tartar that might otherwise form and cause infections.

Wear a Mouthguard to Protect Your Teeth

Some of the most common dental emergencies that dentists treat are often tied to sports-related injuries and worn-down tooth enamel. Your teeth need proper protection whether you’re on the field playing your favorite game or when going to bed. Wearing a custom mouthguard to safeguard against sudden hits to the face or teeth grinding at night will significantly lower the possibility of a knocked-out tooth, tooth sensitivity, worn-down enamel, chips, cracks, and more.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

It may seem harmless to tear open a bag with your teeth, but the reality is that your pearly whites are not designed for anything other than chewing through food. Small fractures can occur over time, breaking down your enamel and causing it to become weaker. Taking the time to find the right tool to open a box, container, or bottle will not only get you what you want faster but also better protect your teeth and gums.

Dental Emergency FAQs

Should I Go to the ER for My Dental Emergency?

There are only a few instances where making a trip to the emergency room for a dental emergency is highly advised. These include:

  • Continuous bleeding that doesn’t stop after 10-15 minutes
  • Increased swelling that’s making it difficult to swallow
  • Fractured, dislocated, or broken jawbone

The reason it is encouraged that you seek help from an emergency dentist for any other type of dental emergency than the ones above is that they are considered to be “urgent” but not life-threatening. Also, your dentist is fully capable of treating toothaches, knocked-out teeth, soft tissue injuries, chipped teeth, or even lost crowns and fillings. So, avoid the long wait times at the ER and let a skilled dentist provide start-to-finish care in less time.

Why Is Seeing a Dentist the Best Choice in a Dental Emergency?

The reason you should see your dentist instead of visiting the emergency room is that:

  • Your dentist has the educational and professional knowledge and background to treat most emergencies. A general doctor can only treat your symptoms in most cases.
  • You will not have to deal with long wait times at your dentist’s office, as staff will work to schedule a time when you can come in.
  • Your emergency dentist can detect and diagnose your problem with a personalized treatment plan designed to repair and improve your oral health.

What Can I Do to Manage a Toothache?

It is recommended that OTC medication and cold compresses are the best ways to reduce discomfort when faced with a dental emergency. Naturally, when calling and speaking to one of our staff members, we can provide recommendations as to which products to use and for how long, but make sure to only take them as instructed. If you continue to experience discomfort for a prolonged period, it may be an underlying issue that is worse than a typical toothache. This would require that you come in for an emergency visit and let Dr. Boehmer examine your problem area.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Emergency Dental Visits?

You are strongly encouraged to review your dental insurance policy long before an emergency occurs. While most insurance companies understand that accidents happen, the amount of coverage you will receive depends on the type of restorative care you will need. Most insurers will cover between 70-80% for minor services and between 50-70% for major services.

If you are unsure what questions to ask or how to determine your level of coverage, don’t hesitate to ask one of our qualified team members for help. They will contact your insurance company and retrieve all of the answers you will need to make a confident and well-informed decision about your dental health.

More to Explore

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Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? Yes, a toothache can be a serious dental emergency. Because they can arise for many reasons, it is best that you get in to see a dentist as soon as possible, especially if you begin to feel feverish or the tooth becomes discolored.

How you should handle a toothache: At home, you should survey your tooth to determine what might be causing the problem. If you notice something is stuck between your teeth, try to rinse with warm water before using dental floss to remove the object. If this is not the problem, it is best to take an OTC medication for discomfort and wait until you can get in to see your dentist for help.

How we treat toothaches: Treating a toothache requires a thorough examination by Dr. Boehmer before any kind of treatment plan can be created. Once she reviews her findings, she will determine the best course of action. Depending on the reason for your toothache, which may be a cavity, cracked tooth, gum disease, infection, or facial trauma, she may recommend a tooth-colored filling, dental crown, periodontal therapy, root canal, or tooth extraction.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Periodontal Therapy

Learn More About Root Canals

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? It is highly unlikely that a chipped tooth will be viewed as a dental emergency. When calling our office, we will determine if you need to come in right away or wait based on your explanation over the phone.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: While you do not want to wait a week before seeking treatment, you can often take care of your tooth at home for at least 1-2 days before seeing your emergency dentist. During this time, you’ll need to keep from chewing on that side of your mouth and be mindful when cleaning your teeth and gums. You can also use dental wax to cover any rough edges that might exist and harm your soft oral tissues.

How we treat chipped teeth: A chipped tooth is often treated in one of two ways: cosmetic bonding or veneers. If the chip is small and located in a non-visible area of your smile, we can use cosmetic bonding to hide the flaw and improve your appearance. However, if the chip is significant or appears toward the front of your mouth, you may prefer to discuss the option of receiving veneers.

Learn More About Cosmetic Bonding

Learn More About Veneers

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Yes, a cracked tooth is considered a dental emergency. Allowing it to remain untreated will only result in worsening damage and symptoms.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: To ensure that you do not cause additional harm to your tooth, you’ll need to avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. It’s also best if you cover jagged areas with dental wax or sugarless gum, as this will help to protect your soft oral tissues.

How we treat cracked teeth: When it comes to treating a cracked tooth, Dr. Boehmer must first determine how severe the damage is. If it is only minor, we may be able to fix it with cosmetic bonding. However, if the crack is more severe, it may be necessary to place a customized dental crown over the visible portion of the tooth structure, as this will allow it to strengthen and function normally. Otherwise, if the tooth is no longer viable because of severe damage, we will need to remove it.

Learn More About Cosmetic Bonding

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? Yes, you will need to seek professional help for very sensitive teeth sooner rather than later, as this is considered a dental emergency.

How you should handle very sensitive teeth: Treating sensitive teeth at home requires that you avoid anything hot or cold that you may be tempted to consume. Instead, opting for lukewarm water and food items will help prevent additional discomfort.

Also, do not engage in any unhealthy habits such as eating ice or biting your fingernails. Additional pressure and exposure to cold will only exacerbate the problem.

How we treat very sensitive teeth: When arriving at our dental office, Dr. Boehmer will begin by taking digital images of your mouth to determine what might be causing your sensitivity. This can stem from aggressive brushing, cavities, a cracked tooth, gum recession, or an infection. Once we’ve identified the cause, we’ll create a treatment plan that includes one or more of the following solutions: fluoride treatment, periodontal therapy, desensitizing toothpaste, prescription mouthwash, root canal therapy, or tooth extraction.

Learn More About Fluoride

Learn More About Periodontal Therapy

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is my knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? Yes, a knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency, and you should expect to see Dr. Boehmer as quickly as you can.

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: Handling a lost tooth in Albuquerque requires taking certain steps to ensure you do not damage the tooth or your mouth. You’ll want to start by rinsing out your mouth and retrieving the tooth, holding it only by the crown. If you can, try to reinsert it into the socket. You can gently bite down to hold it in place, but if this is unsuccessful, simply place the tooth in a container of milk so that it remains moist.

You’ll need to get to our dental office as quickly as possible (within an hour) so that we can determine if the tooth is capable of saving.

How we treat knocked-out teeth: Dr. Boehmer will evaluate your tooth to see if it is viable. If so, we’ll attempt to place a splint so that it remains sturdy and in place while it reintegrates with the bone tissues. If the tooth is too damaged or too much time has passed, we’ll need to disregard the tooth and discuss options for replacement, such as dentures, dental bridges, or dental implants.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dentures

Learn More About Dental Implants

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? Technically, a lost dental crown in Albuquerque or lost filling is a dental emergency; however, you may not be required to see your dentist the same day. Oftentimes, you can wait a few days before seeking help, but you don’t want to wait too long.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: While waiting to see your emergency dentist, you can avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. You don’t want food particles to get into the vulnerable part of your tooth, so you’ll need to be careful. You’ll also need to be mindful when cleaning your teeth so that you don’t irritate the vulnerable tooth.

If you prefer, you can use dental cement to try and reattach your dental crown temporarily.

How we treat a lost filling or crown: There are typically two ways to address a lost crown or filling – re-bond it or replace it. If the restoration is still intact, we may be able to re-bond it into place. Otherwise, we’ll need to discuss placing a new tooth-colored filling or having a metal-free dental crown made.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Metal-Free Dental Crowns

Broken Dentures

Is my broken denture a dental emergency? Yes, you should expect to call and schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist if you are suffering from a broken denture in Albuquerque.

How you should handle a broken denture: You may want to continue wearing your damaged denture; however, it is best if you leave it out of your mouth until you go in to see Dr. Boehmer. Any kind of damage can cause harm to your natural teeth and/or soft oral tissues. Although they make denture repair kits, these should only be used if you must wear your dentures for a particular reason.

How we treat broken dentures: Dr. Boehmer will examine the status of your denture. If the damage is only minor and does not inhibit the functionality of the prosthetic, you may not need to have it replaced. However, if it is completely broken, you’ll either need to have a new one created or discuss your options for alternative tooth replacement solutions such as dental bridges or dental implants.

Learn More About Dentures

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a loose permanent tooth a dental emergency? Yes, you should expect to call our dental office right away if you have a loose permanent tooth in Albuquerque.  

How you should handle loose permanent teeth: You may be tempted to mess with your loose adult tooth, but the best thing you can do is leave it alone. This means that you should not poke or prod at it with your tongue or finger, as it might cause the tooth to fall out. Instead, try to avoid touching it at all, and make sure that you do not chew on that side of your mouth if you must have something to eat.

How we treat loose permanent teeth: Most situations involving loose teeth concern younger patients with baby teeth; however, adults with loose permanent teeth need timely treatment to avoid the need for a tooth replacement. Based on our findings using digital X-rays and a visual examination, we will determine the reason for the loose tooth, which might be anything from facial damage, advanced gum disease, or a serious infection. You can expect Dr. Boehmer to formulate a personalized plan that includes one or more of the following treatment options – periodontal therapy to treat gum disease, tooth extraction if the damage is too severe for the tooth to be saved, or dental bridges to fill in the space left behind by an extracted tooth.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Periodontal Therapy

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency? An injury to your lip, tongue, or gums is not usually considered a dental emergency. These injuries tend to heal on their own at home, but you are always welcome to call our dental office if you would rather be sure.

How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: While dealing with your soft tissue injury at home, it’s important that you use clean gauze to try and stop the bleeding. Although it may be a bit alarming, applying pressure to the wound will help it to clot. If it does not stop bleeding within 10-15 minutes, go to your local emergency room for medical assistance.

How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: It is unlikely that you will need stitches for your soft tissue injury; however, if it appears severe, we can stitch up the wounded area. In most cases, though, we will likely go over the reason for the injury and how to help you avoid the same kind of problem in the future. It may be that you need a custom mouthguard to wear while playing sports or engaging in physical activity.

Jaw Pain

Is jaw pain a dental emergency? Jaw pain can be a dental emergency, especially if you’re dealing with facial trauma or severe discomfort.

How you should handle jaw pain: There are many reasons chronic jaw pain can arise, so until you can meet with Dr. Boehmer about your situation, you should be mindful of what you eat and the type of habits you practice. Avoid hard, crunchy foods, as this will only cause more pressure on the side of your irritated jaw. Also, do not eat ice, bite your fingernails, or chew on inanimate objects, as this will only worsen your discomfort.

How we treat jaw pain: When arriving for your appointment, Dr. Boehmer will want to take X-rays of your mouth to determine what kind of issue is the reason for your jaw pain. It might be that you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding), and the evidence is clear based on the wear and tear of your tooth enamel. It might also be that you are suffering from TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) or a misaligned bite. Depending on the situation, we will likely recommend either a customized nightguard for you to wear while you sleep so that your teeth are better protected, or you’ll be recommended for TMJ Therapy to help alleviate the tension and pressure placed on your jaw joints.

Learn More About Nightguards

Learn More About TMJ Therapy

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

When dealing with something that is stuck between your teeth, it is unlikely that you’ll need to see an emergency dentist. With warm water and dental floss, you should be able to remove the object without any issues. However, if you use sharp items to dig between your teeth, there is a chance you might damage your pearly whites or gum tissue, resulting in a necessary trip to the emergency dental office. It’s best to stay away from toothpicks, tweezers, forks, or any other similar object when removing something from inside your mouth.