Call Waterford Family and Cosmetic Dentistry at 910-519-1624 if you have a dental emergency.
Our emergency dentists in our Leland, NC office are dedicated to helping patients restore as much of their smiles as possible. Whether you have just lost a tooth or have a broken restoration that needs to be replaced, 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 are 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 a lost tooth is preserved 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 try and 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 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 chance of encountering a dental emergency. As problems worsen, more will need to be done 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
How can I tell if I’m experiencing a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is anything that needs to be taken care of immediately. 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. Emergencies need to be seen 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 take care of 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 actually issues with the teeth, this needs to be handled by a dental professional.
Why do dental emergencies need to be addressed quickly?
For many dental emergencies, time is of the essence. For instance, if a tooth is knocked out, 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 considered an emergency?
Just because baby teeth are temporary doesn’t mean that this isn’t considered 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 considered a dental emergency?
A possible jaw fracture is something that should be handled by an emergency room. 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, it needs to be properly evaluated.
Does my broken tooth have to be pulled?
Not necessarily. At our office, we take steps to try to save 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.