Dental emergencies can happen suddenly and often at the most inconvenient times. At Dr. Conor Gessell’s dental practice, we understand 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 rapid, effective emergency dental care for those that need urgent dental attention in the Southern Pines area.
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies encompass a range of urgent situations that require immediate attention. Severe toothaches that don’t respond to over-the-counter pain relievers often indicate underlying infections or advanced decay that needs prompt treatment. Knocked-out (avulsed) teeth are time-sensitive emergencies.
With proper handling and quick action, Dr. Gessell can often save and successfully re-implant the tooth if seen within an hour of the injury.
Cracked or fractured teeth, particularly those causing pain or exposing the inner tooth structure, require urgent evaluation to prevent infection and further damage. Lost fillings or crowns leave teeth vulnerable to damage and infection while often causing significant discomfort. Dental abscesses, characterized by facial swelling, severe pain, fever, or pus discharge, indicate serious infections that can spread to other parts of the body if not treated promptly.
Soft tissue injuries such as cuts, lacerations, or tears to the gums, cheeks, lips, or tongue often require professional treatment to control bleeding and promote proper healing. Broken dental appliances like dentures or bridges can affect your ability to eat and speak normally, warranting urgent attention even when not causing pain.
Our Approach to Emergency Dental Care
Emergency dental care begins with prioritizing patients in acute pain or with time-sensitive conditions. We reserve space in our daily schedule specifically for emergency appointments, allowing us to accommodate urgent cases, often the same day they contact us. During emergency appointments, our focus centers on relieving pain, addressing the immediate problem, and stabilizing your condition.
Dr. Gessell performs comprehensive evaluations using advanced diagnostic tools to determine the exact nature and extent of the emergency. This might include digital x-rays or other imaging to visualize structures not visible during a clinical examination. Based on this thorough assessment, he develops immediate treatment plans focused on resolving the urgent issue while considering long-term dental health implications.
Our office maintains modern equipment and materials specifically for handling common dental emergencies. The team regularly updates emergency care protocols based on the latest research and techniques. For patients with dental anxiety, which often intensifies during emergencies, Dr. Gessell offers compassionate care with appropriate comfort measures to ensure you receive needed treatment without additional stress.
What to Do During Specific Dental Emergencies
Knowing how to respond to dental emergencies before reaching our office can significantly impact outcomes. For a knocked-out permanent tooth, handle it only by the crown (never the root), gently rinse it without scrubbing if it’s dirty, and try to reinsert it into the socket if possible. If reinsertion isn’t possible, place the tooth in milk, saline solution, or between your cheek and gum to keep it moist while seeking immediate dental care.
With severe toothaches, rinse your mouth with warm water and use dental floss to remove any trapped food particles that might be causing pressure. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling, but never place aspirin directly on the gum or aching tooth as this can burn the tissue.
For broken or chipped teeth, save any fragments if possible and rinse your mouth with warm water. Apply gauze to any bleeding areas for about 10 minutes or until bleeding stops. Use a cold compress on the outside of the mouth to reduce swelling and pain while arranging to see Dr. Gessell.
If you lose a filling or crown, try to locate it if possible. For a lost crown, you can temporarily reattach it using dental cement, denture adhesive, or even toothpaste until you reach our office. With lost fillings, over-the-counter dental cement can temporarily protect the exposed area. In both cases, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until proper treatment.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
While not all dental emergencies can be prevented, many can be avoided through regular preventive care. Maintaining consistent dental check-ups allows Dr. Gessell to identify and address potential problems before they escalate into emergencies. Wearing appropriate protective mouthguards during sports activities significantly reduces the risk of dental trauma.
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 seeking appropriate emergency care.