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

Last Updated: September 25, 2025

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 times.

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: Cracked tooth, a painful lost filling/crown, food firmly lodged between teeth. Needs a quick, same-day appointment.
• Non-Urgent Care: Minor chip without pain, mild sensitivity, or a dull, intermittent toothache. 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. The first 30 minutes are crucial for many traumatic events.

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.

Common Treatments for Dental Emergencies in High Point

Dental emergencies can be unnerving. Staying calm and acting mindfully and decisively in a dental emergency significantly increases the chances of immediate pain relief and effective long-term restoration.

Here are a few emergency dental procedures:

• 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.
• 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.
• Toothache: Often a sign of decay or infection that can be treated with a filling or root canal therapy.

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.