Whether it’s an emergency or just a routine dental procedure, you want the best dentist for the job. An Emergency Dentist in Durham NC will work odd hours such as nights and weekends to help patients with their dental emergencies.
An Emergency Dentist in Durham NC can care for oral trauma such as a toothache, chipped or broken teeth, and even a lost crown. It is important to collect any broken fragments and keep them moist in saline solution or saliva until your appointment.
Toothache
A toothache is a common dental problem. It may be chronic and mild or sharp and excruciating. It can be aggravated by foods or liquids that are cold or hot and by chewing. The pain usually comes from a single or multiple teeth and may be in the jaw or cheek area.
If you have a toothache, rinse your mouth with warm salt water to ease pain and dislodge food. Take a dose of acetaminophen to reduce pain if you wish.
A knocked out tooth is a true dental emergency. It can damage the surrounding teeth and cause other problems. Find the tooth and rinse it gently. Rinse the face if it is swollen and apply pressure with a clean cloth or gauze if bleeding persists. See a dentist immediately for the best chance of saving the tooth. If you cannot get to the dentist right away, a clinic that stays open for emergency patients may be able to help.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
Even though tooth enamel is the hardest material in the body, it can still break or chip if you get hit or knocked on the side of your face. A cracked or chipped tooth can be painful and is a dental emergency that needs to be addressed right away.
If you have a broken tooth, rinse your mouth with water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Make sure you collect any broken tooth fragments and bring them with you to the emergency dentist. If your tooth is a complete break and has been knocked out, try to put it back in its socket without touching the root or other attached tissue. You can also hold the tooth in your cheek pocket to keep it moist until you can see your dentist.
If your tooth has been knocked out or you have a crack that goes from the crown to the root, a filling is probably needed. These are common procedures that your emergency dentist can perform quickly.
Lost or Loose Crown
Occasionally, a crown or filling can become loose or fall off completely. If it happens to you, you should still visit the emergency dentist as soon as possible. This is because without a crown the tooth can decay and you may experience more pain or discomfort.
It is important that you don’t try to glue it back in yourself because this can actually cause more damage to the tooth. Instead, you should rinse it and then use dental adhesive like vaseline or toothpaste, even sugar-free gum to temporarily re-cement the crown until you can make it to your dentist.
A good dentist will be able to fix the crown or replace it with a new one. Visiting an emergency dentist is the best option if you are experiencing a dental emergency, as the hospital emergency room cannot help with these kinds of situations. They also offer later appointments than regular dentists, which is great for people who lead busy lifestyles.
Broken Jaw
A broken jaw is a serious injury that needs immediate medical attention. It can be diagnosed with a physical exam and X-rays. Some patients will need to be treated by a specialist like a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, or a head and neck surgeon. The Healthline Find Care tool can help find options in your area.
You should seek medical attention if your jaw hurts when you open and close your mouth, if there’s bruising in your face or lips, or if your bite doesn’t line up properly. You can try to reduce the swelling by applying ice and taking over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen.
Your doctor will start by trying to manually reposition the jawbone. They’ll put their thumbs inside your mouth on the back bottom teeth and move the jaw down and backward. You may need a mouth guard or sedation to help you relax during the procedure. If you have a moderate or severe fracture, surgery may be needed.