If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please contact our office immediately for advice on how to proceed. Call 919.238.3470.
Accidents happen all of the time, and when they do—we are here to help. Garner Family and Cosmetic Dentistry understands that it is crucial to offer emergency services as a part of our general dentistry solutions to avoid patient discomfort or further damage. That’s why we make every effort to see patients the same day when necessary.
What Qualifies As a Dental Emergency
If you suspect you’re experiencing a dental emergency, our first recommendation is to call us immediately. We consider a dental emergency to be any instance in which you are experiencing extreme pain or discomfort and suspect that you could be at risk of permanent tooth loss. Here are our best tips on handling common dental emergencies.
Chipped or Cracked Tooth
If a tooth crack or chip is severe and results in a large portion of tooth loss, seek immediate dental care to avoid nerve damage. Try to salvage the broken piece and gently rinse the affected area with warm water.
Tooth Pain
Sudden or throbbing tooth pain should be assessed as soon as possible to determine if there are any underlying issues causing discomfort. Rinsing with warm water and taking an over the counter pain reliever can reduce your discomfort while at home. Remember never to place aspirin or another type of pain reliever directly on the surface of the teeth or the gums, as this could cause further damage.
Abscessed Tooth
Sometimes, severe tooth pain can indicate the presence of an abscessed tooth. Contact our office immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Swollen Gums
- Sore Drainage
- Fever
- Chewing Pain
- Extreme Temperature Sensitivity
Knocked-out Tooth
Try to locate the lost tooth and pick it up gently by the crown. If the tooth is dirty, clean it with warm water—avoiding touching the root. Reposition the tooth in the socket or place it in a container of milk until you can be seen by a dental professional. It is essential to keep the tooth moist at all times.
Broken Crown, Bridge, or Denture
Most dental crowns can be held in place temporarily by over the counter dental cement until you can make an appointment with your dentist. However, if the remaining portion is jagged or causing mouth discomfort, contact our office immediately. Additionally, chips or cracks in your dental bridge or denture should be assessed to avoid further damage and pain.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
Think of prevention not as a chore, but as a partnership. Our team, led by Dr. Matthew Jenne, is here to equip you with the knowledge and care to keep your smile strong. Here is your actionable plan:
1. Transform Your Daily Routine into Your First Line of Defense
The simplest steps are often the most powerful. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily are non-negotiable. This daily care removes the plaque that leads to cavities and gum disease, the two most common culprits behind dental pain and infection. Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush or brush head every three months.
2. Never Underestimate the Power of Your Regular Check-Up
Your twice-yearly professional cleaning and exam are the cornerstone of emergency prevention. These visits allow our hygienist to remove hardened tartar you can’t brush away. More importantly, they give Dr. Jenne a chance to spot tiny problems before they become big ones. We can find a hairline crack in a tooth, a small cavity, or early signs of gum disease and treat them with a simple, planned procedure. This saves you from the severe pain and complex treatment of a full-blown dental emergency.
3. Protect Your Smile from Injury and Wear
If you or your children play sports—even recreational ones—wear a custom-fitted mouthguard. It’s a simple device that can prevent broken, knocked-out, or chipped teeth. For many adults, nighttime grinding (bruxism) is a silent threat that slowly cracks teeth and strains jaws. If you wake up with jaw soreness or headaches, talk to us about a nightguard. This custom appliance absorbs the destructive forces of grinding while you sleep.
4. Break Habits That Invite Trouble
Be mindful of using your teeth as tools to open packages or crack nuts. Avoid chewing on hard objects like ice, popcorn kernels, or pen caps. These habits can cause immediate fractures or create tiny cracks that develop into bigger breaks over time. Sticky, sugary candies and snacks can also pull on fillings or crowns and feed decay-causing bacteria.
5. Listen to What Your Mouth is Telling You
Your body sends early warning signals. Don’t ignore tenderness when chewing, new sensitivity to hot or cold, or a slight ache in your gums. A faint, constant ache or a small bump on the gum could signal an infection starting deep in a tooth. Scheduling a visit at the first sign of discomfort often allows for a minor, painless fix instead of a late-night emergency root canal.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
When you have a dental emergency it is best to place the tooth in?
If you are experiencing a dental emergency and have lost a tooth, it is preferable to rinse the tooth and put it back into its original place. Call your dentist immediately, and be sure to save the tooth so that you can bring it with you to your appointment.
What is the most common dental emergency?
The most common dental emergency is a toothache. These are typically caused by a cavity or tooth grinding. Toothaches can be extremely painful. If you are experiencing a toothache, the best first step is to rinse your mouth with warm water and brush your teeth to see if anything is stuck that may be causing the pain.
Can you go to the ER for a tooth?
Patients can go to the emergency room to manage pain from a dental issue, but the ER cannot perform any dental work. It is illegal for anyone other than a dental professional to perform any dental procedure.
Is a broken tooth an emergency?
Yes, a broken tooth is one of the most common dental emergencies. Go see your dentist ASAP if you break or fracture your tooth. A broken tooth can create many opportunities for bacteria to thrive and cause infections.
What happens if you leave a cracked tooth untreated?
If left untreated, a cracked tooth can cause pain, tooth decay, and eventually tooth loss. As soon as you notice that you have a cracked tooth, call our offices to schedule an appointment. We can discuss the damage and look into treatment choices for you.
What are the symptoms of a tooth infection spreading?
The main symptoms that a tooth infection may be spreading to the rest of the body is nausea, vomiting, and a fever. Other symptoms may include facial swelling, shortness of breath, and sharp achy pain inside of the mouth.
When in doubt, call us!
We are happy to help during dental emergencies. Again, please contact our office immediately or call 919.238.3470 if you suspect you’re dealing with a dental emergency, and we will provide you with the guidance you need to restore your oral health.