Handling Dental Emergencies in High Point, NC: A Guide to Immediate Care

Last Updated: September 23, 2026

Unfortunately, there’s a good chance you or someone you love will experience a dental emergency during their lifetime. Dental emergencies can happen at any time, and although there’s no good time for a dental emergency, they seem to occur at the most inconvenient moments.

That’s why the Deep River Family & Cosmetic Dentistry dental team offers same-day emergency appointments to our High Point, NC, and neighboring patients. Before you reach our dental office, however, it’s essential to understand how to handle the most common dental emergencies.

Is It a Dental Emergency? What to Know Before You Go

Defining a True Emergency

True dental emergencies require immediate attention to save a tooth, stop a serious infection, or control bleeding. They include:

• Severe, Uncontrollable Pain: Indicating potential nerve inflammation (pulpitis) or a serious underlying infection.
• Unstoppable Bleeding: A primary sign of significant tissue trauma.
• Swelling or a Visible Abscess: A telltale sign of a spreading bacterial infection.
• Knocked-Out or Dislodged Tooth: Known medically as avulsion or luxation.
• Trauma to the Jaw or Facial Bones: Requires immediate medical assessment.

Urgent Care vs. Non-Urgent

Knowing the difference prevents unnecessary trips to the hospital and ensures timely care.

• Urgent Care: A cracked tooth, a painful lost filling or crown, or food firmly lodged between teeth. These need a quick, same-day appointment.
• Non-Urgent Care: A minor chip without pain, mild sensitivity, or a dull, intermittent toothache. These can typically wait a few days for a regular appointment.

Dental Office vs. Hospital Emergency Room

For almost all dental issues, your dentist is the most appropriate professional to see.

• When to Go to Our High Point Dental Office: For nearly all dental issues, including severe pain and a lost tooth.
• When to Go to the Hospital ER: For major trauma that includes a suspected broken jaw, deep facial lacerations, or life-threatening systemic infections (e.g., swelling that impedes breathing). If facial trauma is involved, go directly to the ER or call 911.

Step-by-Step First Aid for Common Dental Emergencies

Knowing what to do at the moment may help you save your tooth and alleviate pain.

First Aid for a Knocked-Out Tooth

The first 30 minutes are critical for successful reimplantation. Contact our office immediately.

• Step 1, Locate: Find the tooth and handle it only by the crown (the white chewing surface). Do not touch the root!
• Step 2, Clean: Gently rinse the tooth with water, but do not scrub—you risk removing attached tissue fragments vital for reattachment.
• Step 3, Re-Insert: If possible, gently try to place the tooth back into its socket. Bite down carefully on gauze to hold it in place.
• Step 4, Transport: If re-insertion isn't possible, place the tooth in a cup of whole milk or a tooth preservation kit to prevent it from drying out before you get to our office.

First Aid for a Cracked or Broken Tooth

• Step 1, Clean: Rinse your mouth with warm water to ensure the area is clean.
• Step 2, Comfort: Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the outside of the cheek for 20-minute intervals to reduce swelling and pain.
• Step 3, Preserve: If you find tooth fragments, save them and bring them to the dentist.

First Aid for a Lost Filling or Crown

• Step 1, Seal Crown: Temporarily replace a lost crown using an over-the-counter dental cement or even toothpaste to seal and protect the exposed dentin.
• Step 2, Seal Filling: For a lost filling, place a piece of sugar-free gum or dental wax into the cavity to prevent sensitivity and infection.

First Aid for Severe Toothache or Tooth Sensitivity

• Step 1, Rinse: Rinse the mouth with warm salt water.
• Step 2, Floss: Gently floss to dislodge any trapped food debris.
• Step 3, Pain Relief: Take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed, but do not place aspirin or other painkillers directly on the gums, as this can cause tissue burns.
• Step 4, Ice: Apply ice packs to the outside of the area at 20-minute intervals for relief until your appointment.

First Aid for a Gum or Soft Tissue Injury

• Step 1, Rinse: Gently rinse the mouth with a warm salt-water solution.
• Step 2, Stop Bleeding: Apply firm pressure with clean gauze for 5–10 minutes.
• Step 3, Cool Down: Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek.

What to Expect During Your Emergency Visit

Before You Arrive

When you call our office, our team will ask a few quick questions so we can prepare for your arrival. Be ready to describe your symptoms, what caused the problem, and when it started, and have your insurance details handy. Based on what you tell us, we can also walk you through first-aid steps to take on the way.

Triage, Exam, and X-Rays

Unlike a routine checkup, an emergency visit focuses entirely on the problem that brought you in, and getting you comfortable comes first. Dr. Bray will examine the affected area and, in most cases, take digital x-rays to see what's happening below the surface, such as an infection, fracture, or abscess.

Stabilize Now, Restore Later

Some emergencies are fully resolved in one visit. Others are best handled in stages: we relieve your pain and stabilize the tooth right away, then complete your permanent treatment at a follow-up appointment once the immediate crisis has passed.

Common Treatments for Dental Emergencies in High Point

Depending on your situation, emergency treatment may include:

• Oral Infection: The most common dental emergency, often treated with a gentle root canal to extract the infected pulp and tissue.
• Cracked or Broken Teeth: Minor cracks can be addressed with non-invasive dental bonding, while more severe breaks may require a crown or root canal.
• Knocked-Out Tooth: By immediately recovering and cleaning the lost tooth and submerging it in milk, you can give your dentist a chance to save your natural tooth. Otherwise, the dentist will prepare the site for a root canal or implant placement.
• Emergency Tooth Extraction: When a tooth is too severely damaged or infected to save, a gentle extraction removes the source of pain and infection. Dr. Bray can then discuss replacement options, including dental implants, all in our office.
• Broken or Lost Restoration: A broken or lost crown or filling must be repaired or replaced by a dentist as quickly as possible to avoid further tooth damage.
• Temporary Crowns and Fillings: A temporary restoration protects the tooth and relieves sensitivity until your permanent crown or filling is ready.
• Toothache: Often a sign of decay or infection that can be treated with a filling or root canal therapy.

Finding an Emergency Dentist in High Point

Do I Need to Be an Existing Patient?

No. You don't need to be a patient of record to call us about a dental emergency. We offer same-day emergency appointments for our established patients, and we work hard to see new patients as quickly as possible, though we can't always guarantee same-day treatment.

What If My Emergency Happens After Hours?

Dental emergencies don't keep business hours. If yours happens after we're closed, call our office and we'll provide instructions for reaching a member of our team. Rather than searching for a "24-hour emergency dentist near me" in the middle of the night, it pays to have a trusted local dentist lined up before you need one.

What to Look for in an Emergency Dentist

The best time to choose an emergency dentist is before an emergency happens. Look for a practice that offers:

• Experience with emergencies: A team that handles urgent cases regularly.
• Full treatment in-house: Fillings, root canals, extractions, and repairs under one roof.
• Care for all ages: A family dentist who sees patients of all ages, from kids to seniors.
• Financial flexibility: An in-house membership plan for patients without dental insurance.

Prevention is the Best Medicine

To prevent most dental emergencies, establish a habit of routine care by visiting your dentist every six months, which helps protect against deep decay and root infection. You should also adopt a proactive oral health routine at home, which involves brushing and flossing at least twice daily, or after meals. To minimize risk further, wear protective gear such as a mouthguard during contact sports, practice mindful habits by avoiding chewing on hard items, and always report any changes, such as sensitivity or inflammation, to your dentist promptly.

Do You Need an Emergency Dentist in High Point, NC?

If you need emergency dental care, the compassionate dental team at Deep River Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is here for you! You can contact our dental office at (336) 883-1371 to schedule an emergency appointment. Our goal is to eliminate your discomfort and save your teeth, so don’t hesitate to call when you need us.