Emergency Care

We make every attempt to be available to help you with your dental needs even when our office is closed- please call 910.433.4600 for emergency contact info. While it's generally best for us to see or talk with you when there's a dental emergency, here are some tips for handling 5 of the more common dental emergencies.

#1 Lost Dental Crown (or Temporary Crown)

It is best to see your dentist and get the crown re-cemented as soon as possible, but generally a crown can be out for a short period of time without causing any major problems. Try not to leave it out for more than a few days or it can make recementing very difficult.

Keep the area clean. Gently brush and rinse with warm salt water. To make salt water rinse: mix 1 teaspoon table salt with 1 cup of warm water

Is the tooth sensitive? A very small amount of denture cream or toothpaste can be placed inside the crown and it can be gently fit back into place to help soothe the tooth. It is very important that you get the crown oriented correctly (try placing it back on the tooth without anything in it before adding cream or paste).

Emergency Dentist Fayetteville NC, dental emergency, broken tooth, dental work, dental clinic

Orajel is a great over the counter tooth and gum relief medication.

#2 Toothache

Rinse your mouth with luke warm salt water. Salt water helps to cleanse and soothe the affected area.

*to make salt water rinse: mix 1 teaspoon table salt with 1 cup of warm water.

If you can, take an over-the-counter pain medication. These can be quite effective. Anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen, Motrin, or Aleve generally work the best for dental pain. Use as directed.

Try Orajel. Topical anesthetic gels (such as Orajel) can help ease the pain, but usually for only a little while.

Avoid anything that worsens your condition. Avoid overly hot, cold, or sweet foods. Even if the pain goes away, make arrangements to see a dentist. Without proper care your condition could worsen.

#3 Lost Filling

Purchase some temporary filling material. Most pharmacies carry temporary filling materials that can be placed over sensitive areas until you see your dentist. Sugar-free chewing gum can also be used to cover the area as a last resort.

*These products will keep out food particles and air from bothering the tooth until you see your dentist

Temporary filling material is available in most grocery and drug stores in the dental aisle.

If a tooth is knocked out, store in milk or your own saliva (not water) and call your dentist right away. If the tooth can be placed back in the socket- the sooner it is placed, the better it will potentially respond to the trauma.

#4 Knocked Out Tooth

VERY IMPORTANT- IF IT'S AFTER HOURS, STILL CALL YOUR DENTIST IMMEDIATELY!

DO NOT RINSE OR PLACE TOOTH IN WATER!!

A knocked out permanent tooth can many times still be saved (re-implanted) if you act quickly and get to your dentist’s office. Time is your enemy in this situation. Quickly locate the tooth, or teeth.

Very gently remove any obvious dirt or debris. Avoid touching the root as much as possible.

Transport the tooth in milk or in some of the person’s own saliva (NOT water). Make arrangements to see your dentist as soon as possible.

Can't get hold of a dentist? Your nearest Urgent Care or Emergency Room should be able to help.

#5 TMJ (Jaw Joint) Pain

Ice the affected jaw joint or muscles. At the onset of the severe joint pain, use an ice pack (20 minutes on - 20 minutes off) to reduce inflammation and help minimize pain.

After 24 hours, use moist heat. Use warm moist heat (like a warm washcloth) on the affected area after using the ice for the first 24 hours. The heat will help stimulate bloodflow and promote healing.

Limit chewing. Eat soft, nutritious foods like smoothies, yogurt, mashed potatoes, etc. Limit the amount you chew as much as possible. Avoid gum, hard foods, and chewy foods.

If you can, take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs. Ibuprofen, Motrin, or Aleve work the best. Generally we recommend a consistent dose schedule taken for 1-2 weeks, but you should consult with your physician or dentist first before doing this.

McDonald Middleton
Dental

Emergency Care

#1 Lost Dental Crown (or Temporary Crown)

It is best to see your dentist and get the crown re-cemented as soon as possible, but generally a crown can be out for a short period of time without causing any major problems. Try not to leave it out for more than a few days or it can make recementing very difficult.

Keep the area clean. Gently brush and rinse with warm salt water. To make salt water rinse: mix 1 teaspoon table salt with 1 cup of warm water

#2 Toothache

Rinse your mouth with luke warm salt water. Salt water helps to cleanse and soothe the affected area.

*to make salt water rinse: mix 1 teaspoon table salt with 1 cup of warm water.

If you can, take an over-the-counter pain medication. These can be quite effective. Anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen, Motrin, or Aleve generally work the best for dental pain. Use as directed.

Try Orajel. Topical anesthetic gels (such as Orajel) can help ease the pain, but usually for only a little while.

Avoid anything that worsens your condition. Avoid overly hot, cold, or sweet foods. Even if the pain goes away, make arrangements to see a dentist. Without proper care your condition could worsen.

#3 Lost Filling

#4 Knocked Out Tooth

VERY IMPORTANT- IF IT'S AFTER HOURS, STILL CALL YOUR DENTIST IMMEDIATELY!

DO NOT RINSE OR PLACE TOOTH IN WATER!!

A knocked out permanent tooth can many times still be saved (re-implanted) if you act quickly and get to your dentist’s office. Time is your enemy in this situation. Quickly locate the tooth, or teeth.

Very gently remove any obvious dirt or debris. Avoid touching the root as much as possible.

Transport the tooth in milk or in some of the person’s own saliva (NOT water). Make arrangements to see your dentist as soon as possible.

Can't get hold of a dentist? Your nearest Urgent Care or Emergency Room should be able to help.

#5 TMJ (Jaw Joint) Pain

Ice the affected jaw joint or muscles. At the onset of the severe joint pain, use an ice pack (20 minutes on - 20 minutes off) to reduce inflammation and help minimize pain.

After 24 hours, use moist heat. Use warm moist heat (like a warm washcloth) on the affected area after using the ice for the first 24 hours. The heat will help stimulate bloodflow and promote healing.

Limit chewing. Eat soft, nutritious foods like smoothies, yogurt, mashed potatoes, etc. Limit the amount you chew as much as possible. Avoid gum, hard foods, and chewy foods.

If you can, take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs. Ibuprofen, Motrin, or Aleve work the best. Generally we recommend a consistent dose schedule taken for 1-2 weeks, but you should consult with your physician or dentist first before doing this.

Schedule an appointment with us to have your condition evaluated!

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Contact Us

Emergency Care

#1 Lost Dental Crown (or Temporary Crown)

It is best to see your dentist and get the crown re-cemented as soon as possible, but generally a crown can be out for a short period of time without causing any major problems. Try not to leave it out for more than a few days or it can make recementing very difficult.

Keep the area clean. Gently brush and rinse with warm salt water. To make salt water rinse: mix 1 teaspoon table salt with 1 cup of warm water

#2 Toothache

Rinse your mouth with luke warm salt water. Salt water helps to cleanse and soothe the affected area.

*to make salt water rinse: mix 1 teaspoon table salt with 1 cup of warm water.

If you can, take an over-the-counter pain medication. These can be quite effective. Anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen, Motrin, or Aleve generally work the best for dental pain. Use as directed.

Try Orajel. Topical anesthetic gels (such as Orajel) can help ease the pain, but usually for only a little while.

Avoid anything that worsens your condition. Avoid overly hot, cold, or sweet foods. Even if the pain goes away, make arrangements to see a dentist. Without proper care your condition could worsen.

#3 Lost Filling

#4 Knocked Out Tooth

VERY IMPORTANT- IF IT'S AFTER HOURS, STILL CALL YOUR DENTIST IMMEDIATELY!

​

DO NOT RINSE OR PLACE TOOTH IN WATER!!

A knocked out permanent tooth can many times still be saved (re-implanted) if you act quickly and get to your dentist’s office. Time is your enemy in this situation. Quickly locate the tooth, or teeth.

Very gently remove any obvious dirt or debris. Avoid touching the root as much as possible.

Transport the tooth in milk or in some of the person’s own saliva (NOT water). Make arrangements to see your dentist as soon as possible.

Can't get hold of a dentist? Your nearest Urgent Care or Emergency Room should be able to help.

#5 TMJ (Jaw Joint) Pain

Ice the affected jaw joint or muscles. At the onset of the severe joint pain, use an ice pack (20 minutes on - 20 minutes off) to reduce inflammation and help minimize pain.

After 24 hours, use moist heat. Use warm moist heat (like a warm washcloth) on the affected area after using the ice for the first 24 hours. The heat will help stimulate bloodflow and promote healing.

Limit chewing. Eat soft, nutritious foods like smoothies, yogurt, mashed potatoes, etc. Limit the amount you chew as much as possible. Avoid gum, hard foods, and chewy foods.

If you can, take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs. Ibuprofen, Motrin, or Aleve work the best. Generally we recommend a consistent dose schedule taken for 1-2 weeks, but you should consult with your physician or dentist first before doing this.

Schedule an appointment with us to have your condition evaluated!

Our Address

Contact Us