Dental emergencies can happen suddenly and often at the most inconvenient times. At Dr. Conor Gessell’s dental practice, we know that prompt treatment for dental emergencies is not just about relieving pain. It can be crucial for preventing serious complications. Our team is committed to providing quick and effective emergency dental care for urgent issues in the Southern Pines area.

What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies cover a range of urgent situations that need immediate attention. Severe toothaches that don’t respond to pain relievers often mean that there’s an underlying infection or decay that needs treatment. Knocked-out (avulsed) teeth are time-sensitive emergencies too.

With proper handling and quick action, Dr. Gessell can often save and successfully re-implant a knocked-out tooth if you visit within an hour of the injury.

If you have a cracked or broken tooth that hurts, you need to see a dentist right away. A crack can let bacteria inside the tooth, which can lead to a serious infection and more damage.

A lost filling or a crown that has fallen off is also a problem that needs quick attention. The tooth is now exposed and weak, making it easy to damage. It will often be very sensitive or painful until it’s fixed.

A dental abscess is a major infection that needs immediate treatment. Signs include a swollen face, serious pain, a fever, or pus. This kind of infection can spread and make you very sick if it’s not taken care of promptly.

If you have a cut or tear on your gums, cheeks, lips, or tongue that won’t stop bleeding, you should get professional help. A dentist can properly clean the wound and stop the bleeding to help it heal correctly.

Finally, if your dentures or a dental bridge break, you should get them fixed quickly. Even if it doesn’t hurt, a broken appliance can make it hard to eat and speak normally.

Our Approach to Emergency Dental Care

When you have a dental emergency, our first goal is to see you quickly. We save time in our daily schedule just for patients who need urgent care, so we can often get you in on the same day you call. When you come in, we focus on doing three things right away: stopping your pain, fixing the immediate problem, and making sure your mouth is stable.

Dr. Gessell will carefully examine your mouth to figure out exactly what’s wrong. He might use digital x-rays to see hidden problems below the surface. Once he knows what’s going on, he’ll create a treatment plan to solve the urgent issue while also keeping your long-term dental health in mind.

Our office is equipped with modern tools specifically for handling emergencies. We also know that dental emergencies can be scary and cause anxiety. Dr. Gessell and our team will provide compassionate care to make sure you’re as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

What to Do in a Dental Emergency Before You See Us

Knowing what to do in the first moments after a dental accident can make a difference in saving teeth or losing them. Here’s a simple guide for common situations.

For a Knocked-Out Tooth:

• Pick up the tooth by the top part (the crown), avoiding the roots.
• If it’s dirty, rinse it gently with water. Don’t scrub it.
• If you can, gently put it back in the empty socket. If not, keep it moist by placing it in a container of milk, salt water, or even in your mouth between your cheek and gum.
• Get to our office immediately. Time is critical for saving the tooth.

For a Severe Toothache:

• Rinse your mouth with warm water.
• Gently floss around the painful tooth to remove any trapped food.
• Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling.
• Never put aspirin directly on the gum or tooth, as this can burn the tissue.

For a Broken or Chipped Tooth:

• Save any broken pieces you can find.
• Rinse your mouth with warm water.
• If there is bleeding, press a piece of gauze on the area for about 10 minutes.
• Use a cold compress on your cheek to manage swelling and pain until you can see us.

For a Lost Filling or Crown:

• Try to find the lost crown or filling.
• For a lost crown, you can temporarily put it back on using a small dab of toothpaste, denture adhesive, or over-the-counter dental cement.
• For a lost filling, a small piece of over-the-counter dental cement can protect the area.
• Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until we can fix it properly.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

While not all dental emergencies can be prevented, you can avoid many through regular preventive care. Maintaining consistent dental check-ups allows Dr. Gessell to identify and address potential problems before they escalate into emergencies. Wearing protective mouthguards during sports activities significantly reduces the risk of dental trauma for example.

Avoiding chewing hard items like ice, popcorn kernels, or hard candy helps prevent cracked or broken teeth. Breaking habits like using teeth as tools to open packages or cut tape protects them from unnecessary stress and potential damage.

Contact Us for Emergency Dental Care

If you have a dental emergency in the Southern Pines area, contact our office at 910-390-1259​ immediately. During regular business hours, our team will guide you through appropriate measures and arrange to see you as quickly as possible. For emergencies outside office hours, our answering service will connect you with Dr. Gessell or provide instructions for getting appropriate emergency care.