Emergency Dentistry

Dentist in Wilmington, NC

Long Dental is your Wilmington NC emergency dentist. We will always get you in for an evaluation as soon as possible, usually the same day.

Most dental emergencies are not life threatening, but may involve severe pain and discomfort. At Long Dental, we understand the severity of a dental emergency and will do our best to resolve your problem today. If you are experiencing any sort of dental problem that affects your ability to function normally, you need to call us right away so we can provide the necessary treatment and relief.

For a toothache, we sometimes may need to place you on antibiotics before treating the situation due to infection.

Common emergencies include having permanent teeth knocked out, loosened or forced out of position, or fractured.

If, for example you are experiencing severe bleeding and swelling, your best option is to call 911 or to head to the nearest Wilmington emergency room.

Usually these problems also involve a cut to the lips, cheeks, and gums. The pain can be so excruciating that you need to call us right away so we can take care of the problem.

• If a tooth is knocked out, call us ASAP. We may be able to put it back in the socket. Handle the tooth by the crown (TOP), and rinse (not scrub) it in water to remove the dirt. It’s crucial that the tooth should not dry out. If it’s possible, the tooth should be gently placed back in the socket. If not, wrap the tooth in a clean gauze or cloth and moisten it with saliva or milk (not water).
• If the tooth is loosened out of position, use light finger pressure to put it back in its proper alignment. Just make sure you don’t force the tooth back. When it has been repositioned correctly, bite down gently to keep it from moving. Call us to fix the problem.
• If the tooth has been fractured, rinse your mouth with warm water. Apply cold compress or an ice pack to reduce the swelling. You can take ibuprofen for the pain, but not aspirin. Aspirin is an anticoagulant, and it can cause profuse bleeding in your teeth and gums. Call for an appointment so we can determine the right course of treatment based on the severity of the fracture.
• If the lips, cheeks, or tongue has been cut, clean the wound with warm water.

If, for example you are experiencing severe bleeding and swelling, your best option may be to head to the nearest Wilmington emergency room or urgent care.