Emergency Dentistry

Our dental team here at Providence Smiles is happy to be there for you in your time of need, especially if you are experiencing an oral health emergency. We encourage you to contact us as soon as possible regarding your situation so our dentist can provide you with emergency dentistry in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Call us today at 919-732-8179 to meet with Dr. Kwame Gyampo.

A dental emergency is any situation which requires prompt attention from our dentist to resolve. We understand that emergencies occur without warning, and that you cannot always plan when you or a member of your family may need to receive care. Dental injuries can occur in any number of situations, including car accidents, bad falls, while playing sports, riding a bike or as a result as interpersonal violence. If you experience a dental emergency call our office immediately and our team will work with you to get you in as quickly as possible. We will also provide instructions on what you should do until our dentist is able to provide treatment. We are committed to helping you regain a healthy mouth and smile.

Types of Emergencies
Common types of dental emergencies include:

• Severe, lasting toothaches and other types of tooth pain
• Lost dental restorations, including lost crowns and fillings
• Cracked, chipped, fractured or otherwise broken teeth
• Damage to your soft oral tissues, such as the tongue, cheeks, lips and gums
• Partially or fully knocked-out (avulsed) teeth

Instructions

Here are a few tips on ways to care for your dental injury until you can meet with our dentist:

Chipped or Fractured Teeth
Some chips, cracks and fractures are relatively painless, but others may result in significant pain. If your tooth is damaged, contact our office immediately. While waiting to meet with our dentist, we recommend that you:

• Retrieve any parts of the tooth that have broken off, rinse them in lukewarm water and bring them with you to your appointment.
• If you are bleeding, apply gauze to the bleeding area for 10 minutes or until bleeding stops.
• Place an ice pack or cold compress on your cheek over the injured area to minimize swelling and manage pain.

Loosened or Dislodged Teeth
Contact our office immediately for an emergency appointment. Then place an ice pack or cold compress over the area to relive swelling and discomfort. Use a mild pain reliever if needed.

After you arrive, our dentist will examine the dislodged or loosened tooth prior to repositioning and stabilizing it again. If the tooth remains attached to the blood vessels and nerves you may not need additional treatment. However, if it does not heal our dentist may recommend a root canal.

Knocked-Out Teeth
Time is a critical factor in determining if we can place a knocked-out tooth back in your mouth, so contact our office immediately if a tooth is fully or partially knocked out. After making your appointment, please:

• Rinse your mouth to remove blood and other debris.
• Place a cold compress or ice pack on the cheek over the injury to manage swelling.
• Pick up the tooth by the crown (chewing surface). Do NOT touch the tooth root.
• Gently rinse the tooth with water to clean it. Do NOT use any soap or chemical, scrub or dry the tooth, or wrap it in a tissue.
• If possible, place the tooth back in the socket and hold it in place by gently biting down. If you cannot do this, keep the tooth moist by holding it in the cheek pouch or by placing it in milk, saline solution, your own saliva, a tooth preservation kit or in water.

Lost Fillings or Crowns
Crowns and fillings may become loose due to a blow to the face or decay under the restoration. If they become loose or fall out contact our office right away. If possible please keep your dental crown in a cool, safe place, as our dentist may be able to place it back on the tooth. If the tooth cannot be placed back on the tooth our dentist will clean your tooth and make a new crown for you.

You may experience some tooth sensitivity if you have lost your restoration. Please do not attempt to place the crown back in your mouth, especially with any kind of glue.

Toothaches
Simple toothaches can often be relieved by flossing or rinsing the mouth to remove debris. If this does not relieve your discomfort please contact our office so that we can determine the cause of your toothache and provide treatment. Do NOT place aspirin on your gums or teeth to relive discomfort – this can cause damage to your oral tissues.

FAQ

What Is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation that requires quick assistance from a dental professional. Often these kinds of situations involve some kind of dental trauma, such as an injury to the teeth or gums. A dental emergency can also refer to pain or other complications following a dental procedure.

What Should I Do in a Dental Emergency?
If you experience a dental emergency, call us at 919-732-8179 as soon as possible. A member of our team can tell you what to do until we are able to meet with you in person. If your dental trauma includes injury to your head or neck or is life-threatening, call 911 or visit an emergency room before calling us.

What Are Common Dental Emergencies?
Some of the most common dental emergencies include:

• Chipped or fractured teeth
• Loose or dislodged teeth
• Lost fillings or crowns
• Dental pain

If you experience any of the above symptoms, please reach out to us as soon as you can. Our team will make arrangements to meet with you and provide care as soon as possible.

Book Appointment Call Now