When you or a loved one has sustained a facial injury or is experiencing severe tooth pain, it can be scary and confusing. You may not know what to do or who to call. The fact is that dental emergencies happen when we least expect them. Fortunately, your Clayton, NC, dentist is ready to take your call and provide gentle dental care when you need it the most.
So, when time is of the essence, how can we restore your smile?
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
You may not be sure whether you are experiencing a dental emergency, right? We encourage you to call regardless of whether you’re sure, but the following dental issues require emergency dental treatment:
- Mild or severe tooth pain
- Tooth infection or abscess
- Dental trauma
- Cracked or broken tooth
- Broken or lost restoration
- Bleeding or swollen gums
It’s important to note that if your mouth is bleeding and you are unable to stop it, you should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
What to Do When the Unexpected Happens
Here are some tips for what to do until you reach our dental office and how we might treat your dental emergency:
- Tooth pain—Take over-the-counter pain relievers to help alleviate the pain. Depending on the situation, we may recommend a dental filling or root canal therapy.
- Dental trauma—Whether you have sustained a blow to the mouth, a broken tooth, or a knocked-out tooth, we need to see you right away. For a fractured tooth, you may need a dental crown. For a knocked-out tooth, we will do our best to re-implant your tooth. If that isn’t successful, we can form a tooth replacement treatment plan.
- Broken or lost restoration—A relatively common dental issue is a lost or broken filling, crown, bridge, or denture. We can replace dental fillings and crowns, repair your bridge or denture, and get you back to smiling again.
- Bleeding or swollen gums—These symptoms may indicate some form of gum disease; if left untreated, gum disease can cause serious health concerns. Let our dentist examine your gums and recommend proper treatment.
Looking for Emergency Dental Services in Clayton, NC?
For root canals and other dental emergencies, the expert dental team at Clayton Smiles is here and ready to help! We will first work to alleviate your discomfort and then form a treatment plan to restore your smile. Contact our dental office at (919) 553-7695 to schedule an appointment.