Emergency Dentistry – Rocky Mount, NC
We Help Make Your Pain Disappear
When you break a bone or suffer some other kind of bodily injury, it’s immediately obvious that you should seek medical attention. However, oral pain or discomfort might not be quite so apparent. Does a chipped tooth or a severe toothache even count as a dental emergency? Our team here at Drs. Belton & Schrimper, DDS PA will always advise you to err on the side of caution and give us a call anyway. Not only can we get you scheduled with an emergency dentist in Rocky Mount as soon as possible, but we can also guide you over the phone as to how to handle your situation until you can reach our dental office.
Why Choose Drs. Belton & Schrimper, DDS PA for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Emergency Dental Treatment Available
- State-of-the-Art Dental Facility
- Dental Team That Has Served Rocky Mount for 30+ Years
How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies
The majority of dental emergencies come in one of two varieties: sudden injury or trauma to the mouth, or infections that develop as a result of long-term poor oral hygiene. Drs. Belton & Schrimper, DDS PA are more than prepared to handle both. Until your appointment, here are some handy tips to deal with your emergency at home.
Toothaches
Floss and rinse with saltwater to dislodge any food debris that may be the cause of your discomfort. If that doesn’t work, take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen, or apply a cold compress to your cheek in 10-minute intervals. Often, the solution to a serious toothache is root canal therapy, a virtually painless procedure that eliminates the infection without having to extract the tooth.
Chipped/Broken Tooth
Gently rinse your mouth with warm water. Collect all the pieces of the broken tooth that you can and bring them with you to your appointment. Apply a cold compress to mitigate both swelling and pain. Sometimes we may be able to salvage the tooth, but if the damage is too great, we might have to extract it altogether.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Pick up the tooth by the crown (the top portion) and give it a rinse, taking care to not disturb any tissue that may still be attached. Try to reposition the tooth back in its socket, gently biting down to hold it in place. If this isn’t possible, store the tooth in a container of milk or saltwater, or the space in your mouth between your gums and cheek. For the best chance at a successful re-implantation, get to our dental office within the hour of the tooth being knocked out.
Lost Filling/Crown
While a lost crown or filling might not be as urgent as a knocked-out tooth, it can still leave your tooth vulnerable and make chewing painful. If you can, locate the restoration and, using a smear of toothpaste, attempt to reattach it to your tooth. Since this is only a temporary solution, avoid chewing with that tooth until after you see us for a more secure reattachment.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Fun fact: many dental emergencies can actually be prevented by coming into our Rocky Mount dental office for regular checkups and cleanings! During these appointments, our dentists can thoroughly examine your mouth for any problem areas that could turn into emergencies down the road. At-home oral hygiene, such as daily brushing and flossing, is also massively important in keeping your mouth healthy and emergency-free. If you play sports or grind your teeth at night, be sure to ask us about a custom mouthguard to protect your pearly whites from injury or trauma. Lastly, avoid using your teeth as tools to chew inedible objects, open packaging, crack nuts, etc.
The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
The amount you’ll end up paying for treatment is dependent upon the severity of your dental emergency. For example, a mild oral infection might only require a prescription of antibiotics. On the other hand, if you need several teeth extracted and replaced, the cost of that treatment is going to be significantly higher. Our team is more than happy to file insurance claims on your behalf. If you don’t have insurance, we also allow you to finance your care with CareCredit, a third-party company that will allow you to pay for the emergency treatment you need with very little interest.
Root Canal Therapy
If you have a terrible toothache that only seems to be getting worse, then most likely, bacteria has reached the interior chamber and caused an infection. With root canal therapy, we can stop this infection, relieve the pain, and save the tooth at the same time. Despite this treatment’s reputation, our patients find it easy to remain comfortable while in the chair, and they immediately feel better afterward. Typically, their only regret is not coming to see us sooner!
Learn More About Root Canal Therapy
Tooth Extractions
While we will do everything we can to save a tooth, if one is simply too damaged or decayed to be repaired, we will remove it to protect a patient’s oral health. We know that this procedure can be nerve-racking, so our team will ensure you stay comfortable the entire time. Beforehand, we can discuss how we’ll replace your tooth as well, so you spend as little time as possible with an unwanted gap.