Last Updated: September 25, 2025
Dental emergencies take many forms. They can be quite scary when they strike because they’re often sudden and come with severe, often unrelenting pain. In the event of a dental emergency in High Point, receiving quality, evidence-based care promptly can make all the difference. Dr. Cassidy Bray and the experienced team at Deep River Family & Cosmetic Dentistry are prepared to handle these urgent situations.
We're examining some common dental emergencies and the immediate relief methods emergency dentists use to treat them.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
Not all oral pain and dental discomfort qualify as an emergency. There are, however, several symptoms that suggest an immediate trip to the dentist is in order:
- If tooth pain is sudden, persistent, severe, and unresponsive to at-home remedies like icepacks, saltwater rinses, and over-the-counter pain medication.
- Swelling of the jaw for no apparent reason, which may be a sign of infection that could cause tooth loss or spread to other parts of the body.
- Swelling or bleeding from the gums for no obvious reason can also be a sign of infection.
- Loss of a permanent tooth, either due to direct impact or an untreated loose tooth.
Less urgent scenarios include a lost filling or crown without pain, a mild toothache, and a small, non-painful chipped tooth.
What to Expect During an Emergency Dental Visit
When you call an emergency dental clinic, the receptionist will ask you a few key questions to help the staff prepare for your arrival. Be ready to describe your symptoms, what caused the injury, and when it happened. Please have your personal information and any relevant dental insurance details ready. This helps the team assess the urgency of your situation and advise you on first-aid steps to take before you arrive.
Initial Assessment & Triage
Upon arrival, a dental assistant or dentist will perform a quick triage. Unlike a standard dental visit, the focus is immediately on your primary issue. They’ll assess the severity of your pain, locate the source of the problem, and determine the best course of action to provide immediate relief. Your comfort is their top priority, and they'll ensure you're as pain-free as possible before proceeding.
Emergency-Focused Exam
Your emergency dental visit is not a full-scale check-up. The dentist will perform a targeted examination of the affected area and surrounding teeth to diagnose the cause of your emergency. They are looking for the root of the problem, such as an infection, fracture, or abscess, to provide the most effective and immediate treatment.
The Role of X-Rays
In most cases, the dentist will take digital x-rays of the problematic area. This allows them to see what is happening beneath the surface, including the tooth's roots, the surrounding bone, and any hidden infections. X-rays are a crucial diagnostic tool for a quick and accurate treatment plan.
Common Treatments for Immediate Dental Emergency Relief
Fortunately, if you’re in the midst of a dental emergency, remaining clear-headed and acting quickly, you increase an emergency dentist’s chances of quickly relieving your pain and restoring your oral health.
- Emergency Root Canal: For severe, persistent toothaches that indicate a deep infection or nerve damage (pulpitis). This procedure removes the damaged nerve and pulp to alleviate acute pain and save the tooth from extraction.
- Emergency Tooth Extraction: In the event of an abscessed tooth, emergency treatment often includes antibiotics, pain medication, draining the abscess, or a root canal.
- Temporary Restorations (Crowns & Fillings): The primary goal is to alleviate pain and prevent further damage. The dentist will often provide a temporary crown or filling to stabilize the tooth and protect the sensitive pulp before scheduling a follow-up for a permanent restoration once the immediate crisis has passed.
- Dental Bonding or Filling for Fractures: In the case of a broken tooth, treatment depends on the severity of the fracture. Minor cracks often only require dental bonding, while more severe breaks will require a crown or root canal.
Need Emergency Dental Care in High Point, NC?
If all this has you thinking, “I’d really like to have a top-quality dentist in mind if there’s a dental emergency near me,” dentist Dr. Cassidy Bray and the team at Deep River Family & Cosmetic Dentistry are here to provide prompt, compassionate, high-quality care in your moment of need. You can call us at (336) 883-1371 or arrange an appointment online.