If you have a dental emergency or dental trauma, call Oak Grove Family and Cosmetic Dentistry at 919-899-4467 for immediate professional care.
Dr. Chavala Harris provides emergency dentistry in Durham, NC, to help patients in need of prompt treatment for their dental health needs. Along with her professional dental team, Dr. Harris can provide extractions, restorations, cosmetic care, relief for tooth pain, and infection treatment for the teeth and gums.
Emergency dentistry is a general dental solution that addresses symptoms of dental problems and prevents further issues down the road.
Common Dental Emergencies We Can Address
Our office treats a number of dental emergencies for patients in Durham and Oak Grove, North Carolina.
Knocked-Out Tooth: If you have just knocked out or lost a tooth, hold it by the top, or crown. You may gently rinse it in cold water and transport it to our office in a cup of cold milk. Sometimes, if a tooth is preserved like this, it can be reattached. However, if we cannot reattach the tooth, we will provide you with a single dental implant.
Dental implants are dental prosthetics that look like natural teeth.
Broken Tooth: Have you just chipped, cracked, or otherwise broken your tooth? Rinse the tooth with water and call our office. We can repair your tooth with dental bonding or a porcelain veneer.
Tooth bonding material adheres to the tooth to blend in with its natural color. Dental veneers fully cover the front of the tooth and offer long-lasting results.
Toothaches: Do you have severe tooth pain? Contact our dental office for immediate treatment. Cavities, dental infections, or broken restorations are common causes of toothaches. Our team will help find the source of your tooth pain and find the best treatment for your specific concerns.
Bleeding Gums: Gingivitis, or gum inflammation, is often marked by red, swollen, or bleeding gums. This in itself is not a dental emergency. However, if you experience excessive gum bleeding, that can be a sign of a larger problem. Particularly if you are recovering from a dental treatment but have severe bleeding, contact our office immediately.
A bleeding socket after an extraction is normal, but not in excessive amounts. Call us for treatment.
Broken Dental Restorations: If you have just broken a dental crown, bridge, or denture, call our office for repair services. You may bring your restoration to us. However, we may need to provide you with a brand-new restoration if it cannot be repaired. Do not try to repair your restoration on your own as this can damage your teeth and gums.
DENTAL EMERGENCY FAQS
What dental professionals consider a severe toothache?
Pain that doesn’t let up or worsens over time could indicate an abscessed tooth or other serious oral problem. Extreme tooth pain that OTC pain relievers cannot alleviate requires immediate attention from an emergency dentist.
Will the emergency dentist pull an infected tooth?
In the event of an emergency, our office or any dentist should be able to remove a tooth. If you have a severely damaged or infected tooth, an extraction may be necessary.
How do you handle a dental emergency?
In the event of an emergency, do not throw any pieces away. Warm water may be useful to rinse the mouth out. You may also apply a piece of gauze to any bleeding area for at least 10 minutes to help it subside. You may also place an ice pack on the outside of your mouth, next to the broken or chipped tooth to reduce swelling and pain.
Do all broken teeth need to be pulled?
No. Not all broken teeth need an extraction. Depending on the extent of the damage, your dentist may recommend a tooth filling, bonding, or a crown. However, if your tooth has damage at the gum line or it is cracked, we may have to look at tooth extraction as a solution.
What can immediately alleviate tooth pain?
Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can provide immediate relief from tooth pain. Additionally, placing an ice pack on your cheek near the area of the tooth can provide temporary relief. Clove oil also has numbing capabilities when applied topically. If the discomfort persists, it is best to schedule an appointment with a dentist for professional evaluation and treatment.
Is bleeding gum a dental emergency?
Bleeding gums can be a sign of a serious dental condition that you should not ignore. In some cases, bleeding gums may even require emergency dental treatment. Bleeding gums can indicate that you are in the early stages of gum disease. Bleeding gums may link to other medical conditions such as diabetes. Ignoring your bleeding gums can lead to tooth loss. You should definitely schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible to determine if any treatment is necessary.
Schedule a Dental Consultation
Do you have a dental problem that requires immediate care? Have you just lost or damaged a tooth? Call Oak Grove Family and Cosmetic Dentistry for emergency dental care today at 919-899-4467. You may also request a dental appointment with our team on our website. Feel free to ask us any questions or let our team know about your current dental concerns. We are always here to help you get the answers you need.