We've all been there: at the first twinge of tooth pain, we start trying to convince ourselves nothing's wrong. "Maybe it'll go away on its own," we think, "and all this worry is over nothing."

Unfortunately, delaying a trip to the dentist can sometimes turn a simple twinge into a full-blown infection. A chipped tooth, bleeding gums, or a missing filling may seem minor until you're dealing with the fallout!

Knowing when to get emergency dentistry in Clemmons, NC can help you prevent a lot of pain, and it can even help you save valuable time and money on follow-up visits. If you're not sure when to make an urgent appointment, let's take a look at a few of the most common emergency conditions our team at Greenway Village Dental sees.

Broken Tooth

Chipping or breaking a tooth can be a painful experience, but it doesn't always mean you need emergency care.

If you've chipped away a small fraction of the tooth, you can likely wait for a regular appointment. This is the case when you've only chipped the enamel, which is the protective outermost layer of your tooth. If the damaged area is all one color and you're not in pain, you don't need to come in right away.

However, if you notice discoloration on the inside of the tooth, a sign that you've chipped away enough of the tooth to reach the sensitive inner pulp, you should see a dentist as soon as possible.

Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply an ice pack to help with any tooth pain or swelling while you wait.

Lost Tooth

If you've knocked out a permanent tooth, it's always a dental emergency. In fact, speedy care can even save your tooth!

Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown without touching the root. Rinse it with a bit of warm water.

In most cases, it's possible to reinsert the tooth back into its socket as long as it happens within 30-60 minutes.

If you can't get an emergency dental appointment in that time, you can do it yourself. If you'd rather wait or can't manage to reposition the tooth, place it in a cup with a bit of milk to cover it. It's crucial to keep the tooth moist if you're going to save it.

Dental Abscess

A dental abscess happens due to a bacterial infection. This condition causes pus to form inside the gums or tooth, and it can cause great pain. Abscesses won't go away on their own, so you'll need to visit an expert for help.

While you wait, you can treat your pain or inflammation with a cold compress. Be gentle when you place it against your mouth and never put the ice directly on your gums. If you want to take painkillers, make sure you're using Tylenol instead of blood-thinning medications that could affect your dentist's care.

We don't recommend trying to drain an abscess on your own. Doing so won't get rid of the infection or relieve your pain, and the struggle to pop it can sometimes make your condition more painful. Instead, let a specialist tackle this dental emergency.

Missing Filling or Crown

If your crown or filling breaks away from your tooth, it should be a cause for concern.

This can leave your tooth vulnerable to infection. The exposed area no longer has protection from your dental work, which can become a problem as you eat, drink, and go about your day.

In the worst-case scenario, you may be in serious pain, sometimes with your tooth's nerves exposed. Your tooth may even be at a greater risk of cracking or breaking off without the reinforcement from your filling or crown.

If you lose a filling or crown, try to find and save it. Gargle with salt water to kill bacteria in your mouth, and avoid chewing around your exposed tooth while you're waiting for your appointment.

Bleeding or Hurting Gums

A bit of blood from the gums isn't uncommon if you're dealing with gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. It may happen every now and again when you floss your teeth.

However, if you're experiencing severe or ongoing bleeding, either due to late-stage gum disease (periodontitis) or oral trauma, your dentist may be able to help. They can examine your mouth, help you stop the blood flow, and do a cleaning to get rid of bacteria. If your case is severe, they may refer you to a periodontist for treatment.

Unexplained Toothache

A sudden toothache can become a dental emergency fast. Toothaches can happen for various reasons, including an untreated abscess, an impacted tooth, and an oral infection.

There's not much you can do on your own for a toothache besides managing your pain. Try the tactics we've mentioned above, including a salt water rinse, ice therapy, and painkillers, until you can see your dentist.

Object Caught in Teeth

When something gets caught in your teeth, it may or may not be an emergency. You should first try flossing, brushing, and using your fingers to get the food or object out. Never use any kind of tool around your teeth, and use lukewarm water to rinse away any blood.

If you can't remove the food or object, you should contact an emergency dentist. It's even more important to do so if it looks like it may be damaging your teeth, you can't close your mouth around it, or it's affecting your breathing.

Contact Emergency Dentistry Services

Don't stress about toothaches, worrying conditions, or dental trauma alone. Emergency dentistry in Clemmons, NC can help you deal with time-sensitive pain, bleeding, and more. If you're ever unsure what to do, contact a trusted dentist to decide if you need urgent help.

At Greenway Village Dental, we know dental emergencies can come out of nowhere and get overwhelming fast. That's why we make time in our schedule to accommodate emergency visits from our patients. Give us a call at (336) 776-0511 or send us a message online for a fast appointment.