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Emergency Dentistry – Rocky Mount, NC

We Help Make Your Pain Disappear

Woman in need of emergency dentistry holding jaw in pain

When you break a bone or suffer some other kind of bodily injury, it’s immediately obvious that you should seek medical attention. However, oral pain or discomfort might not be quite so apparent. Does a chipped tooth or a severe toothache even count as a dental emergency? Our team here at Drs. Belton & Schrimper, DDS PA will always advise you to err on the side of caution and give us a call anyway. Not only can we get you scheduled with an emergency dentist in Rocky Mount as soon as possible, but we can also guide you over the phone as to how to handle your situation until you can reach our dental office.

Why Choose Drs. Belton & Schrimper, DDS PA for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day Emergency Dental Treatment Available
  • State-of-the-Art Dental Facility
  • Dental Team That Has Served Rocky Mount for 30+ Years

How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies

Man holding jaw before emergency dentistry

The majority of dental emergencies come in one of two varieties: sudden injury or trauma to the mouth, or infections that develop as a result of long-term poor oral hygiene. Drs. Belton & Schrimper, DDS PA are more than prepared to handle both. Until your appointment, here are some handy tips to deal with your emergency at home.

Woman with toothache holding jaw

Toothaches

Floss and rinse with saltwater to dislodge any food debris that may be the cause of your discomfort. If that doesn’t work, take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen, or apply a cold compress to your cheek in 10-minute intervals. Often, the solution to a serious toothache is root canal therapy, a virtually painless procedure that eliminates the infection without having to extract the tooth.

Smile with chipped front tooth

Chipped/Broken Tooth

Gently rinse your mouth with warm water. Collect all the pieces of the broken tooth that you can and bring them with you to your appointment. Apply a cold compress to mitigate both swelling and pain. Sometimes we may be able to salvage the tooth, but if the damage is too great, we might have to extract it altogether.

Woman with knocked out tooth covering her mouth

Knocked-Out Tooth

Pick up the tooth by the crown (the top portion) and give it a rinse, taking care to not disturb any tissue that may still be attached. Try to reposition the tooth back in its socket, gently biting down to hold it in place. If this isn’t possible, store the tooth in a container of milk or saltwater, or the space in your mouth between your gums and cheek. For the best chance at a successful re-implantation, get to our dental office within the hour of the tooth being knocked out.

Woman removing dislodge dental crown from mouth

Lost Filling/Crown

While a lost crown or filling might not be as urgent as a knocked-out tooth, it can still leave your tooth vulnerable and make chewing painful. If you can, locate the restoration and, using a smear of toothpaste, attempt to reattach it to your tooth. Since this is only a temporary solution, avoid chewing with that tooth until after you see us for a more secure reattachment.

Woman with headache holding her temples

Head/Neck/Jaw Pain

While head, neck, and jaw pain might sound like they are outside the scope of a dentist, for many people, these issues stem from a strained or misaligned jaw joint, called the temporomandibular joint. If you’ve sought treatment for these problems in the past and haven’t found relief, we can help you determine if they are being caused by your TMJ, and if so, treat it directly.

Learn More About TMJ Therapy

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Father and child brushing teeth to prevent dental emergencies

Fun fact: many dental emergencies can actually be prevented by coming into our Rocky Mount dental office for regular checkups and cleanings! During these appointments, our dentists can thoroughly examine your mouth for any problem areas that could turn into emergencies down the road. At-home oral hygiene, such as daily brushing and flossing, is also massively important in keeping your mouth healthy and emergency-free. If you play sports or grind your teeth at night, be sure to ask us about a custom mouthguard to protect your pearly whites from injury or trauma. Lastly, avoid using your teeth as tools to chew inedible objects, open packaging, crack nuts, etc.

The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies

Family of four checking in at emergency dental office

The amount you’ll end up paying for treatment is dependent upon the severity of your dental emergency. For example, a mild oral infection might only require a prescription of antibiotics. On the other hand, if you need several teeth extracted and replaced, the cost of that treatment is going to be significantly higher. Our team is more than happy to file insurance claims on your behalf. If you don’t have insurance, we also allow you to finance your care with CareCredit, a third-party company that will allow you to pay for the emergency treatment you need with very little interest.

Root Canal Therapy

Model of healthy tooth that doesn't need root canal therapy

If you have a terrible toothache that only seems to be getting worse, then most likely, bacteria has reached the interior chamber and caused an infection. With root canal therapy, we can stop this infection, relieve the pain, and save the tooth at the same time. Despite this treatment’s reputation, our patients find it easy to remain comfortable while in the chair, and they immediately feel better afterward. Typically, their only regret is not coming to see us sooner!

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Tooth Extractions

Hand holding an extracted tooth

While we will do everything we can to save a tooth, if one is simply too damaged or decayed to be repaired, we will remove it to protect a patient’s oral health. We know that this procedure can be nerve-racking, so our team will ensure you stay comfortable the entire time. Beforehand, we can discuss how we’ll replace your tooth as well, so you spend as little time as possible with an unwanted gap.

Have Questions? We’ve Got the Answers for You.