Emergency Dentistry
Common Dental Emergencies
Broken Denture
Cracked Tooth
Toothache
Sensitivity to Hot & Cold
Lost Filling or Crown
Object Stuck in Between the Teeth
Emergency dentistry provides urgent care for severe toothaches, knocked-out or broken teeth, lost fillings or crowns, and dental infections that can’t wait for a routine appointment. Oxford Smiles in Marlborough offers same-day emergency appointments to relieve pain and prevent complications; call (508) 290-8714 for urgent dental issues.
A cracked tooth, a bad toothache, or a crown that pops off never happens at a convenient time. Oxford Smiles reserves time in our schedule every day for dental emergencies, so you’re not stuck waiting a week in pain. Call (508) 290-8714 as soon as a problem comes up – describing your symptoms on the phone helps us get you into the right same-day appointment and tell you what to do in the meantime.
Some dental problems can wait for your next routine visit; others need attention right away. These symptoms typically mean you shouldn’t wait:
- Severe toothache: strong, throbbing pain that doesn’t ease up may signal an infection, deep cavity, or cracked tooth – it won’t resolve on its own.
- Knocked-out tooth: acting within the first 30-60 minutes gives you the best chance of saving it.
- Chipped or broken tooth: exposed inner tooth structure can hurt and is vulnerable to infection if not treated.
- Lost filling or crown: the exposed tooth underneath can become sensitive and is at higher risk of further damage.
- Abscess or infection: swelling, fever, or a bad taste near a tooth can mean a spreading infection that needs same-day care.
- Facial or oral injury: falls, sports impacts, or accidents involving the mouth or jaw.
If you’re experiencing any of these, call Oxford Smiles right away. Our goal is fast pain relief and stopping small problems from becoming bigger, more expensive ones.
Common Dental Emergencies We Treat
- Severe toothache or infection
- Knocked-out or loose tooth
- Chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
- Lost or broken filling, crown, or other restoration
- Dental abscess or gum infection
- Broken denture or partial
- Object caught between teeth
- Soft-tissue injuries (bitten lip, tongue, or cheek)
- Wisdom tooth pain
- Emergency root canal therapy
If you’re unsure whether your issue needs urgent attention, call us – our team will assess your symptoms over the phone and guide you to the right next step, whether that’s coming in today or scheduling a routine follow-up.
What to Expect at Your Emergency Visit
Walking in with a dental emergency can be stressful, so here’s what typically happens once you arrive at Oxford Smiles:
-
- A focused exam of the painful or injured area, plus X-rays when needed to see below the gumline
- A conversation about your pain level and symptoms so we can prioritize relief first
- A clear explanation of what’s going on and the treatment options available, including cost, before we proceed
- Same-day treatment when possible – from a temporary repair to a root canal or extraction – followed by a plan for any next steps
The Benefits of Getting Emergency Care Right Away
- Alleviates discomfort: prompt treatment relieves pain quickly so you can get back to eating, sleeping, and your normal routine.
- Prevents further damage: ignoring a dental emergency can let a small problem turn into an infection or tooth loss.
- Protects your overall health: untreated dental infections can spread beyond the mouth, so early care limits that risk.
- Restores your smile and confidence: fast treatment for a broken or missing tooth means less time living with a change to your smile.
Cost & Insurance for Emergency Visits
Emergency treatment cost depends on what your tooth actually needs – a same-day repair costs less than treatment involving an extraction or root canal. We accept most major dental insurance plans, and our team will explain costs and coverage before any treatment begins so there are no surprises. If you’re uninsured or your plan doesn’t fully cover the visit, we offer financing through CareCredit, Sunbit, and LendingClub, along with in-house membership plans.
Your Safety Is Our Top Priority
At Oxford Smiles, we follow the highest infection control standards so every patient receives safe care in a clean, hygienic environment – especially important during an emergency visit when time is tight.
Serving Marlborough and the Surrounding Communities
Patients from Marlborough and nearby towns – including Hudson, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Framingham, Westborough, Hopkinton, Ashland, Maynard, Bolton, and Auburn – turn to Oxford Smiles for fast, same-day emergency dental care.
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, contact us immediately for care: call (508) 290-8714.
What Our Patients Are Saying…
We take great pride in extending our exceptional care to patients not only within Marlborough
but also from diverse locations, ensuring that our commitment to service reaches beyond boundaries.
We Accept Most Insurance Plans
We strive to make dental care affordable and accessible for all our patients. That's why we accept most major insurances, and will work with you to help you understand your plan and maximize your benefits. If you have questions about insurance, or anything at all, give us a call to speak with one of our friendly insurance experts. Don't see your insurance listed? Give us a call on (508) 290-8714, and we'll walk you through all your options!
No Insurance? No Problem.
Flexible financing & membership plans available
We offer quality membership plans along with flexible financing options through LendingClub, Sunbit, CareCredit, and Cherry. Quality dental care is an investment in your health and happiness, and we believe the cost of treatment should never stand in the way of your ideal smile. That's why we partner with trusted healthcare lenders, allowing you to create personalized payment plans that fit your needs, budget, and lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental emergencies include a knocked-out tooth, severe toothache that disrupts sleep or eating, a broken tooth with sharp edges, a lost crown or filling causing pain, a dental abscess with swelling or fever, and oral injuries from accidents or sports. When in doubt, call - our team will help you determine urgency.
Pick the tooth up by the crown (not the root), rinse it gently with water without scrubbing, and try to reinsert it in the socket. If that's not possible, store it in milk or between your cheek and gum, and get to Oxford Smiles or an emergency dentist within 30-60 minutes. Speed is critical for re-implantation success.
Yes. We reserve time each morning for dental emergencies. Call (508) 290-8714 as early as possible to secure same-day emergency care. Walk-ins may be accommodated based on availability.
Yes. A dental abscess is a bacterial infection that can spread to the jaw, neck, or even the bloodstream if untreated. Signs include a throbbing toothache, facial swelling, a bad taste in the mouth, and fever. This is a true emergency - seek same-day care, and go to the ER if you have trouble breathing or swallowing.
Yes. Dr. Mehta is experienced in treating dental injuries in children, including chipped baby teeth, displaced permanent teeth, and soft-tissue lacerations. Bring your child in immediately for any trauma to the mouth.
In most cases, yes. X-rays let us see below the gumline and inside the tooth to check for fractures, infection, or bone involvement that isn't visible during a regular exam, so we can treat the actual cause of your pain rather than just the symptom.
Cost depends on what's needed - a simple repair costs less than treatment involving an extraction or root canal. We accept most major insurance plans and offer financing through CareCredit, Sunbit, and LendingClub so urgent care doesn't have to wait on your budget. We'll walk you through cost before any treatment begins.
It depends on the crack. A minor chip with no pain can often wait for a routine visit, but a crack that causes pain when biting, sensitivity to hot or cold, or a visible line running toward the gum should be seen quickly - cracks can worsen and put the nerve at risk the longer they're left untreated.
Yes. Oxford Smiles accepts new patients for emergency visits and doesn't require you to have been seen before. Call (508) 290-8714 and let us know it's your first visit so we can gather your information quickly and get you seen the same day if possible.
Bite down firmly on a gauze pad or moistened tea bag for 30-45 minutes to help a clot form, and avoid rinsing, spitting, or using a straw for 24 hours. If bleeding doesn't slow after firm, continuous pressure, call us right away or go to the ER.
Sudden jaw pain, clicking, or a jaw that won't open or close fully can stem from TMJ issues, an injury, or a dental infection, and we can evaluate it at an emergency visit. If the jaw pain follows a facial injury and you suspect a fracture, go to the ER instead.
No - don't take leftover or someone else's antibiotics without our guidance, since the wrong medication or dose can mask symptoms without treating the actual problem. Call us first, and we'll prescribe the right medication if it's needed after an exam.
Rinse your mouth, save any knocked-out or broken tooth pieces, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, and call Oxford Smiles right away - sports injuries often involve more than one tooth. Wearing a custom mouthguard during future games is one of the most effective ways to prevent this from happening again.
Occasional light bleeding from brushing or flossing usually isn't an emergency, but heavy or spontaneous bleeding, especially with pain or swelling, should be checked promptly since it can signal advanced gum disease or an injury. Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze and call us if it doesn't stop within a few minutes.
Yes. Dental emergencies should still be treated during pregnancy, since untreated infection carries more risk than most dental treatment does. Let us know you're pregnant and how far along you are when you call, so we can plan your visit and any medication safely.
Sudden wisdom tooth pain often means it's impacted, infected, or crowding neighboring teeth, and can worsen quickly if untreated. Rinse with warm salt water and call us for a same-day evaluation - we'll take an X-ray to determine whether the tooth needs to be extracted.
Calling ahead at (508) 290-8714 is strongly recommended, even for an urgent problem, since it lets us prepare for your arrival and tell you what to do in the meantime. Walk-ins are accommodated when possible, but a quick call first usually gets you seen faster.
Our Blogs
Insights, Tips, and Trends to Keep You Informed
Children’s Dental Emergency Care: A Calm, Confident Guide for Parents in Marlborough, MA
Read More »
One Location, Countless Smiles
We take great pride in extending our exceptional care to patients not only within Marlborough but also from diverse locations, ensuring that our commitment to service reaches beyond boundaries.
- Marlborough
- Auburn
- Maynard
- Bolton
- Hudson
- Framingham
- Westborough
- Shrewsbury
- Northborough
- Southborough
- Hopkinton
- Ashland