2660 NC Hwy 210 East Suite 103 Hampstead, NC 28443

Current Patients 910-541-2155

New Patients 910-335-4392

Emergency Dentist Hampstead, NC

In the event of a dental emergency, call our office at 910-335-4392.

Dr. Lauren Francis is an emergency dentist who helps patients solve their oral health problems in her Hampstead, NC dental office. He also welcomes brand new patients to visit her office if they have a sudden dental emergency. Knowing the signs of a dental emergency and acting fast by calling our office can help prevent your dental problems from worsening.

With immediate general dental treatment, our team can save permanent teeth, prevent tooth or gum infections, and restore damaged crowns, dentures, bridges, and more.

Dental Emergency in Hampstead, North Carolina

Treating Common Dental Emergencies

Dr. Francis and her experienced dental team help both new and existing patients when they are experiencing a dental emergency. Some of the most common dental emergencies that patients face include but are not limited to:

  • Toothaches: If you have sudden tooth pain, take over-the-counter pain medication and apply a cold compress on the side of the face to stop swelling. Call our office if the pain worsens or does not go away. Toothaches may be caused by tooth decay, an infection, or an abscess. These serious problems require care as soon as possible.
  • Knocked-out tooth: Have you just knocked out a permanent tooth? Pick your tooth up by the crown and avoid touching the root. Gently rinse off the tooth and place the tooth in a cup of milk so that you can preserve it for transport to our office. If it is preserved in this way, we may be able to restore it.
  • Broken or damaged teeth: If you have just chipped, broken, or fractured your tooth, call our office for repairs. Breaks in the tooth enamel can expose the nerves to bacteria, which can cause infection. Infected teeth will require root canal treatment or extraction if the infection is severe.
  • Damaged or broken dental restorations: Call our dental office if you have a damaged or broken dental bridge, tooth crown, or denture. Our team can restore or replace your restoration. Dull, ineffective, or old restorations can be replaced with more stable solutions.
  • Bleeding gums: Do your gums bleed after you brush or floss your teeth? You may have gum inflammation or gingivitis. Gum inflammation is not an emergency, but persistent or severe bleeding is abnormal. Contact our office, especially if you are recovering from a recent dental procedure. Our team can stop the bleeding and find the root cause of the problem.

Emergency Dentistry FAQs

What’s considered a dental emergency?

You’re having a dental emergency when it’s something that needs immediate treatment. That can be a variety of things, including sudden pain, bleeding, or saving a tooth. If it’s something that needs to be taken care of as soon as possible, that’s when it’s considered a full emergency.

Can I go to the emergency room for a dental emergency?

No. The only person that’s trained to take on a dental emergency is a licensed dentist. Unless there’s damage to soft tissue like your cheek, the emergency room won’t be able to help you. The best thing you can do for a dental emergency is to call us immediately.

Why do I need to handle a dental emergency quickly?

The quicker an emergency is handled, the more likely you are to save your teeth and/or other areas of your mouth will be saved. For instance, if you have a knocked-out tooth, there’s a limited amount of time that it’s viable to be put back in your mouth. It’s crucial that you get to our office as soon as possible.

What’s the best way to handle my pain?

Keeping your pain down helps to keep you calm. But managing the pain so that you can tolerate it doesn’t mean that you’re cured. There is simply a step to manage it until you can be seen in our office and the cause can be determined. Over-the-counter pain medication and ice can help if there’s swelling. A topical solution like Orajel can be used as well.

Is the treatment worse than my dental problem?

A common fear of patients is that the treatment will hurt worse than the problem. However, these treatment options will help alleviate the pain instead. In our office, we’ll make sure to use anesthetic so that you stay comfortable. Our priority is to ensure that our patients feel safe and calm in our office.

What should I do if my child’s baby tooth gets knocked out?

Baby teeth fall out naturally, but it’s a different story if one gets knocked out before it’s ready. Try to salvage the tooth and bring it with you to your appointment. The dentist will have to evaluate the situation to determine the best course of action. Use gauze or cloth to help with the bleeding.

What should I do if an object gets stuck in between my teeth?

Don’t use anything sharp to try and remove the object. They can cause more damage to your teeth and gums. Use dental floss to gently try and dislodge it. Don’t use excessive force. If you can’t get it out, our specialized tools and experience can assist you.

Is tooth sensitivity a dental emergency?

It may not be an immediate emergency, but sudden tooth sensitivity is usually the sign of a deeper problem. Your gums may be receding and it’s essential that we determine the cause. Schedule an appointment with us so that we can find the cause and treat it appropriately.

Call Our Dental Office Today

Have you just knocked out a permanent tooth? Are you experiencing excessive bleeding after a dental procedure? Contact Seaside Family and Cosmetic Dentistry immediately for emergency dental care at 910-335-4392. If you do not have a dental emergency but have concerns about your smile, schedule an appointment with our team on our website.