Emergency Dentist Cary, NC

At Kildaire Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we provide same-day care and walk-ins for emergency dental appointments. Fitting emergency dental care into your packed schedule can be difficult, but we’ve done all we can to help.

We offer early morning appointments during the week and strive to start any treatment plan recommended right away, especially if you are in pain. That way, you can get in and out and back to your schedule fast.

We all know that emergencies happen, and usually at a time that isn’t convenient. If you’re in pain or you’ve experienced dental trauma, call our office, and we’ll do our best to fit you in on the same day you call. We set aside time in our daily schedule to treat emergencies because we don’t want you to suffer in pain.

Let us help you with your dental emergency in Cary, NC! Dr. Elise Brace aims to provide comfortable and comprehensive general dental care at Kildaire Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.

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Common Dental Emergencies

Some of the most common dental emergencies include:

Chipped or Broken Tooth

Contact your dentist as soon as possible for assessment and treatment if you chip or break a tooth. If the damage is severe enough, you may be at risk for further damage. This will put you at risk of losing your tooth altogether.

Until your appointment, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area and apply a cold compress to your face to reduce swelling. If possible, save any broken tooth pieces. Avoid chewing with the damaged tooth, and cover sharp edges with dental wax to prevent injury.

Knocked-Out Tooth

If your tooth gets knocked out, seek immediate dental treatment by calling our office. The chances of saving the tooth decrease the longer you wait.

If you lose a tooth, handle it by the crown, not the root. Gently rinse it without scrubbing. If possible, reinsert the tooth into the socket and hold it in place. If not, keep the tooth moist in milk or saliva. Avoid placing aspirin or other painkillers directly on the gums, as this can cause tissue damage.

Dental Filling Becomes Loose or Falls Out

Contact your dentist if your dental filling becomes loose or falls out. We will schedule a repair or replacement as soon as possible. Leaving the tooth untreated can lead to further decay or infection. You must remove the filling from your mouth to prevent swallowing.

Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. You can temporarily fill the cavity with dental wax or over-the-counter dental cement to protect the tooth and reduce discomfort. Avoid chewing on the affected side.

Loose or Lost Dental Crown or Bridge

The first thing you should do is retrieve the dental restoration if possible. Then contact your dentist to set up an appointment. Keep the crown or bridge in a safe place and bring it with you to your appointment. Your dentist may be able to reattach it. Otherwise, they will begin the process of replacing it.

Never try to reattach the dental crown or bridge yourself with household glues. Rinse your mouth gently with warm water. You will need to protect the exposed tooth with dental wax. Avoid chewing on the affected side until the restoration is fixed or replaced.

Abscess Around a Tooth

A tooth abscess is a serious dental emergency. It is characterized by severe pain, bad breath, sensitivity to hot and cold, and fever. In some cases, you can visually see a pimple-like swollen area over the infected tooth. Please contact your dentist as soon as possible if you suspect a tooth abscess. Immediate dental care is necessary since abscesses can lead to serious infections if not treated promptly with antibiotics, drainage, or root canal treatment.

For temporary relief, rinse your mouth with salt water to ease discomfort and reduce bacteria. Never apply heat or aspirin directly to the infected area. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers to manage pain.

Toothache

A toothache may or may not be a dental emergency. Always call us to seek further guidance and schedule an appointment to be safe. You should call us as soon as possible if the pain is severe and persistent as this could be a sign of infection or decay that will require treatment right away.

In the meantime, gently use dental floss and rinse your mouth to see if you have food particles stuck in between your teeth that could be causing the pain. Apply a cold compress or ice to the outside of your cheek to help with swelling or pain. Avoid applying heat or aspirin directly to your teeth or gums. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers if you need to.

Dental Emergency FAQs

Read through our frequently asked questions about dental emergencies to learn more about what to do in these situations. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact us.

Can you save a tooth that has been knocked out?

If you’ve experienced dental trauma that caused injury to your gums or obvious tears on your lips, cheeks, etc., you need to call our office as soon as possible or go to the emergency room. If a tooth has been knocked out, it may be able to be saved. Call our office and follow these instructions to improve your chances of saving the tooth:

  • Rinse — do not scrub — the tooth to remove dirt and debris.
  • Place the clean tooth in your mouth between your cheek and gum, or under your tongue.
  • Do not attempt to replace the tooth in its socket, as this could cause further damage.
  • Get to the dentist as soon as possible. Successful re-implantation of the tooth is possible only when treatment is performed promptly.
  • If it is impossible to store the tooth in the mouth of the injured person, wrap the tooth in clean gauze and immerse it in milk.

What can I do about sensitive teeth?

If your teeth are highly sensitive to temperature or pressure, Dr. Brace recommends that you come in for an exam so that we can pinpoint the underlying cause of your sensitivity. Some ways we may recommend treating tooth sensitivity include:

Sensitivity toothpaste — the active ingredient, either strontium chloride or potassium nitrate, is very effective in treating tooth sensitivity. Make sure you continue using the toothpaste, even if the sensitivity seems to go away. Toothpaste that contains calcium, phosphate, and fluoride can also be helpful.

Avoid highly acidic foods. Citrus fruits, tea, and soda can increase sensitivity and limit the effectiveness of sensitivity toothpaste.

What is the most common dental emergency?

The most common dental emergency is a toothache. Other dental emergencies include a broken tooth, a lost tooth, and an infection.

Will the ER pull a broken tooth?

The ER will not pull a broken tooth. If your tooth is broken, the ER will refer you to a dentist.

Call our office as soon as possible if you have a dental emergency.

What is classified as a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is an unexpected event that requires immediate attention from a dentist. Some common dental emergencies include a toothache, a knocked-out tooth, and a broken tooth.


Call Our Dental Office if You Need Emergency Dentistry in Cary, NC

Call Kildaire Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for emergency dental care today at 919.823.7107. For non-emergencies, request an appointment with Dr. Brace on our website.