Dental Emergencies

Cary Smiles Is Here When You Have An Emergency

At Cary Smiles, we are always here for our patients and their families, even during dental emergencies. Our goal is to ensure that our patients understand how to navigate an emergency so you are able to respond promptly and efficiently. We recognize that knowing what steps to take can make you feel more confident during a stressful situation. You and your family’s dental health is of the utmost priority for us, and the Cary Smiles team is here to ensure you have the knowledge and tools to handle all kinds of dental emergencies.

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Types Of Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can come up, no matter the time of day or place! If you don’t have a plan, things can escalate quickly and may unintentionally cause more panic for you or your family member experiencing dental pain. At Cary Smiles, we aim to keep our patients informed so that when dental emergencies happen, you know exactly what to do to protect your teeth and gums from further damage.

When a tooth becomes dislodged, grab it by the crown and gently rinse it off. If you are able to, place it back in the socket, but if not, you can put the tooth in a glass of cold milk and call our office immediately to be seen.
Rinse your mouth with water, and if there is bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to get it under control. You can reduce swelling and relieve pain by holding an ice pack against the outside of your mouth.
A broken jaw is a serious emergency and requires immediate medical attention. We recommend you visit your local emergency room for any situation involving a broken jaw.
If your filling or crown pops off, use sugar-free gum or over-the-counter dental cement to place it on top of the hole. Call our office at (919) 233-3545 to be seen to discuss emergency repairs.

If you are having severe tooth pain that won’t go away and notice signs of infection (pus, fever), pain or sensitivity to temperatures, or even a swollen jaw, these may be warning signs that you have an infected tooth and need a root canal. If you are experiencing these symptoms, please give us a call at (919) 233-3545 so we can evaluate you in our office.

If you are experiencing tooth pain, first rinse your mouth with warm salt water. Then, floss between your teeth and gums to see if there are any stuck food particles. Apply a cold compress to reduce the swelling and take over-the-counter medicine for pain.

How We Are There For Our Families

At Cary Smiles, we are there for our patients during dental emergencies—day and night. We understand that when a dental accident happens, you are looking for expert guidance right away. Dr. Shah and our team are here to support our patients in every aspect of their dental care. Here are some of the ways we are there for our families during dental emergencies:

  • On-call 24/7
  • Friday and weekend availability
  • Same-day appointments
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Ways To Prevent Dental Emergencies

There are steps you and your family can take to prevent dental emergencies from happening. Cary Smiles also recognizes that as hard as you try, accidents may still happen, but we want you to be as prepared as possible and take a proactive approach in your dental health to protect your smile. We recommend the following tips to safeguard your teeth, gums and mouth from injury:

  • Wear a mouthguard during sports or physical activity
  • Maintain good oral habits such as brushing twice a day and flossing
  • Avoid damaging foods that may be hard on your teeth
  • Don’t skip your routine dental cleaning every 6 months!

Contact Cary Smiles For Dental Emergencies

If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above or have any questions about your oral health, Dr. Shah and our compassionate team are here to help. Call us anytime (919) 233-3545—we’re available to promptly handle your dental emergencies. Our team is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care for every member of your family. A healthy, pain-free smile is just a call away!

Our Patients Are At The Root Of Everything We Do

We are committed to delivering a positive dental experience for every patient, every time. Our warm and welcoming team fosters a relaxing, comfortable environment that feels like home. We use cutting-edge technology, such as digital X-rays, scans, and 3D-printed appliances, to ensure your comfort and provide exceptional care. Request an appointment today!

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