Dental Emergencies in Boynton Beach

Can’t find an open dental office during the COVID / Corona shutdown?

Toothache? Broken or chipped tooth? Swollen gum? Call Palm Beach Smiles!  We’re open!

If you have a dental emergency here in Palm Beach County, don’t delay! Give us a call at Palm Beach Smiles, at (561) 736-2377. We are located in Boynton Beach at I-95 and Boynton Beach Blvd.

Click here to meet Dr. Michael Barr.

What are the signs or symptoms of a toothache or dental emergency?

The following is intended as general information and not as medical or dental advice. It is NOT intended to provide a diagnosis or treatment recommendations. This information may not include all possible issues or dental emergencies. If you are having any of these signs or symptoms (or other dental emergency), please get it checked out as soon as possible.

If you’re in the area of Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Lake Worth, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, or anywhere in Palm Beach County, and you have a dental emergency or toothache, give Palm Beach Smiles a call. Our phone number is at the top of this page.

Click each symptom for additional information.

You may have an infection. Infections can get serious very quickly. Get treatment immediately. If you are having difficulty swallowing or breathing, it is a true medical emergency. Don’t mess around! Get help NOW… as in Emergency Room.
You may have an infection. It could also be many other things such as: deep cavity, abscess, cracked tooth, inflamed tooth nerve. The sooner you see a dentist, the better.

We call this a “hot tooth.” It usually means the nerve in the tooth is inflamed beyond its ability to heal. Treatment options may include a tooth extraction or root canal treatment (to save the tooth). The only thing that will relieve this pain is immediate dental treatment.

Usually this indicates decay (a cavity). It could also be a leaking filling or crown restoration. This is not an emergency, but getting it treated sooner rather than later can prevent an emergency and more expensive treatment.

Often this indicates periodontal disease (gum disease). Keep your mouth as clean as possible and see a dentist ASAP.

This could indicate advanced gum disease or a draining abscess/infection. Big cavities can also cause a bad taste.
This could be as simple as a problem with the bite. It could be a cracked tooth. It could be a problem with the tooth nerve or even an abscess. Get it checked out ASAP.

Teeth can be broken as a result of trauma (biting just “right” on the “wrong” thing, accidents, or blows to the mouth or teeth). They can also break because they’ve been weakened by large cavities or large fillings. This isn’t a true emergency, but the edges can be sharp, it can cause sensitivity, or it can be a cosmetic concern. Restoration of the tooth may involve a tooth-colored filling or a crown.

The nerve of your tooth may be inflamed beyond its ability to heal itself. Root canal treatment or extraction may be necessary.
If possible, replace tooth back in socket (if it hasn’t dropped on the ground or otherwise contaminated). Or, place tooth in cup of water or milk. Do NOT scrub the tooth clean. Avoid handling the tooth by the root. Get to a dentist immediately.

Call us at: (561) 736-2377

Out-of-town dental emergency?

If you find yourself in “dental dire straits” while traveling outside of Palm Beach County, give us a call. Dr. Barr has colleagues around the country he can recommend.

E-mail the Dentist

Call us at (561) 736-2377 with questions or to set up an appointment.