Call Waterford Family and Cosmetic Dentistry at 910-519-1624 if you have a dental emergency.
Our emergency dentists in our Leland, NC office help patients restore as much of their smiles as possible. Whether you have just lost a tooth or have a broken restoration you need to replace, we’re here to help.
Please contact your office if you have a dental problem and are unsure if it is an emergency. We will help you schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Sometimes, oral health issues that may seem minor can be a sign of a bigger problem.
Common Dental Emergencies
Emergency dental care is a general dental solution that treats urgent dental problems. Some of the most prevalent dental emergencies that our dental team treats include:
- Tooth Pain: Sudden and sharp tooth pain is often caused by a tooth or gum infection. If you are experiencing swelling, apply a cold compress to your cheek. Call our office and we will schedule an immediate appointment to find the cause of your pain.
- Knocked-Out Tooth: If you have just lost a tooth, hold it by the crown, or the top part of the tooth. Gently rinse it in water and put it in a cup of milk to take to our office. If you preserve a lost tooth in this way, we may be able to reattach it within one hour of loss.
- Broken Dental Restorations: Call our dental office if you have a broken dental crown or dental bridge. Do not try to use glue or any other material to replace your restoration, as this can damage your teeth and gums. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease your discomfort before you visit our office. We will help create a brand new restoration for you.
Preventative Dental Care
Sometimes, preventative dental care can stop dental emergencies from ever happening. Taking care of your teeth by brushing and flossing twice a day and making regular dentist visits can prevent dental emergencies. Our dentists always thoroughly examine the teeth and gums during routine visits and look for signs of infection or a change in the fit of your dental restoration.
If we find any problems, we can create a personalized treatment plan for you to address the issue head-on. Not visiting the dentist enough or ignoring signs of dental problems will increase your chances of encountering a dental emergency. As problems worsen, you’ll need to do more to treat the problem, which can also increase the cost of treatment. Care for your teeth and schedule regular appointments in our office to prevent these problems.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Anyone can experience a dental emergency. Learn more.
How can I tell if I’m experiencing a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any issue that requires immediate attention. This includes sudden pain, a knocked-out tooth, or a broken dental restoration. It’s always better to be safe rather than sorry. If you think you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call our office right away.
How do I handle a dental emergency?
Calling our office is the first step. You need to address emergencies as soon as possible. Try to remain calm. Utilize over-the-counter pain medications and cold compresses for any pain or swelling. If a tooth or restoration has fallen out, try to recover all of the pieces to bring with you to your appointment.
Can I go to the ER for a dental emergency?
No. Only a licensed dentist can properly address a dental emergency. If there’s damage to your cheek and you need stitches, something like this can be handled at an emergency room. However, if there are actual issues with the teeth, a dental professional needs to handle these.
Why do I need to address dental emergencies quickly?
For many dental emergencies, time is of the essence. For instance, if you knock out a tooth, it’s only viable for a few hours after it’s been out of your mouth. Even a matter of minutes can make a difference when it comes to taking care of an emergency.
Is a baby tooth getting knocked out an emergency?
Just because baby teeth are temporary doesn’t mean that this isn’t an emergency. Baby teeth are designed to fall out only when they’re meant to. They’re placeholders for permanent teeth. If baby teeth get knocked out too early, it can cause problems with the development of the smile. It’s best to see a dentist so that they can evaluate the best course of action.
Is a jaw fracture a dental emergency?
A possible jaw fracture is something that an emergency room should handle. A broken bone will be covered under the medical portion of your insurance, not dental. Jaw fractures can also be accompanied by other head trauma that may not be readily visible.
What’s the most common dental emergency?
Tooth pain. A wide variety of different things could be causing your tooth pain. It can be as serious as an abscess or as mild as some sensitivity to what you’re eating. Regardless, a professional needs to evaluate it.
Does my broken tooth have to be pulled?
Not necessarily. At our office, we take steps to preserve natural tooth structure whenever possible. Fixes like a dental crown or tooth bonding are possibilities. The dentist will determine the best course of action to proceed with.
Schedule a Dental Appointment
If you are not currently facing a dental emergency but have a dental concern that you want to treat, request a consultation online. You may also call our Waterford, North Carolina office at 910-519-1624.