You bite into a sandwich, and something feels off. Maybe a tooth aches. Maybe a filling pops loose. You may think, “Do I need to call the dentist right now, or can this wait until morning?”
That question causes stress and sometimes unnecessary emergency room visits. Here’s the truth: the ER can’t fix a tooth. Emergency doctors can prescribe pain medication and antibiotics, but they don’t have dentists on staff. The underlying problem stays exactly the same.
At Reedy Creek Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Cary, Dr. Emily Reece helps patients sort through this exact confusion. Her training at the VA Medical Center in Fayetteville gave her hands-on experience with trauma, extractions, and complex cases. She knows the difference between a dental emergency she can treat and a medical emergency that needs a hospital. Here’s how to tell if you need urgent dental care from our office, or if you need the emergency room.
Call Us Right Away for These Dental Emergencies
These problems need prompt attention from a dentist. Call our office as soon as you can. If we’re closed, leave a message and we’ll call you back first thing.
A Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
The first 30 minutes matter most. If an adult tooth gets knocked out, handle it by the crown. Don’t touch the root. Rinse it gently with milk or saline solution. Try to place it back in the socket if you can.
If that’s not possible, keep it moist in a cup of saliva and call us right away. Don’t replant a baby tooth; call us for guidance instead.
A Severe Toothache That Won’t Quit
A throbbing toothache that wakes you up at night needs same-day attention. It often means the nerve inside your tooth is inflamed or infected. You may need a root canal or another treatment. Dr. Reece completed advanced training in root canal therapy during her VA residency. She can diagnose the problem and provide relief.
Swelling Around a Single Tooth
If you have swelling that stays confined to your gum near one tooth is a dental emergency. It usually signals an infection that needs treatment. Call us for a same-day appointment. If the swelling spreads toward your eye, jaw, or neck, that’s a different situation. Go to the ER instead.
A Cracked Tooth With Exposed Nerve
If you see pink inside the tooth or feel sharp pain when you breathe in, the nerve is exposed. This needs prompt care. Call us right away.
Bleeding That Won’t Stop
Bleeding that continues after 15 minutes of firm pressure needs attention. This is different from the small amount of blood you might see after a cleaning.
Call Us First Thing Tomorrow for These Problems
These problems are urgent and need attention. But they can usually wait until morning without risking your health.
A Lost Filling or Loose Crown
Losing a filling exposes the inner part of your tooth. Bacteria can get in, and you can feel tooth sensitivity. This isn’t life-threatening, but it shouldn’t wait more than a day or two. Call us when we open. Keep the area clean and avoid chewing on that side.
A Chipped or Cracked Tooth Without Pain
A small chip or crack that doesn’t hurt is not an emergency. It’s still worth addressing. A cracked tooth can get worse over time. Call us in the morning and we’ll get you scheduled.
Mild to Moderate Tooth Pain
A dull ache or occasional sensitivity can usually wait until morning. Take over-the-counter pain medication if you need it. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen work well for most dental pain. Call us first thing, and we’ll assess the problem.
When to Go to the ER Instead
Some situations are beyond what a dental office can treat. These are medical emergencies, not dental emergencies. Go to the hospital if you have trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or trouble seeing.
The same applies if swelling is spreading toward your eye, jaw, or neck. A high fever with facial swelling is also a medical emergency. These signs mean an infection is moving beyond your mouth. You need hospital care, not a dental chair.
Call 911 or go to the ER in those situations. Then call us after you’ve been treated. We’ll help you address the dental problem once the medical emergency is under control.
What to Do at Home While You Wait
You’ve called us. You have an appointment. Here’s how to manage things until you get here.
For a knocked-out tooth, keep it moist in milk or saliva. Don’t store it in tap water, since that can damage the root. For a lost filling, use over-the-counter dental cement as a temporary cover. For a toothache, rinse with warm salt water and apply a cold compress to your cheek. Don’t place aspirin directly on your gum. It can burn the tissue.
Get Same-Day Emergency Care
Reedy Creek Family & Cosmetic Dentistry serves patients from Cary, Raleigh, Apex, Morrisville, Holly Springs, and the greater Triangle area. Our office is conveniently located at 7722 Chapel Hill Rd., Cary, NC 27513.
If you have a dental problem and you’re not sure what to do, call us at 919-646-6294. We’ll ask questions, assess your situation, and give you honest guidance. If you need to come in, we’ll get you scheduled as quickly as possible.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. That’s what a dental home is for.