Emergency Dentistry – Fort Mill, SC

Helping Fort Mill Smiles When They Need It Most

Man in need of emergency dentistry holding jaw in pain

No one expects to be faced with a sudden dental emergency, but as our Southlake Family Dentistry team can tell you, they’re much more common than you might have thought! If you or a family member are dealing with intense dental pain, don’t waste precious time sitting in the waiting room at the ER. For the prompt, expert care your smile needs, call our dental office for emergency dentistry in Fort Mill, SC. We’ll get you in for an appointment with Dr. Priya Chougule, an experienced emergency dentist, in no time!

Why Choose Southlake Family Dentistry for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day Dental Appointments for Emergency Patients
  • Dental Sedation Available to Relieve Anxiety
  • Individually Tailored Care from an Experienced Dentist
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How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Woman in need of emergency dentistry holding cheek

Dental emergencies are stressful, to say the least, but try to remain calm. Give us a call and we’ll take it from there! Here are the steps we’ll take to remedy your situation:

  • Book your same-day appointment – Over the phone, one of our team members will ask you about your symptoms and assess how quickly you need to come in. If the problem is urgent, we’ll fit you into our schedule later that same day. We can also advise you on how to handle your symptoms until then.
  • Evaluate the problem – As soon as you arrive, Dr. Chougule will perform a quick yet thorough exam to determine the root cause of your emergency.
  • Review your treatment options – Dr. Chougule will share her findings with you and discuss your options for solving the issue. She’ll never force a treatment on you; she’ll always consider your preferences and viewpoint.
  • Heal your smile – Once we’ve agreed on a course of action, we can start repairing your smile.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

We never want to take risks when it comes to your smile, so we encourage you to call us even if you’re not sure whether your situation qualifies as a “real” emergency. After all, waiting too long for treatment will only make the problem worse. Please contact us if you’re experiencing any of the following common dental emergencies.

Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? A toothache can be a dental emergency if it's severe, accompanied by swelling or fever, or if it lasts for more than a day without relief. These symptoms all point to an infection that could spread and become very serious if not treated quickly.

How you should handle a toothache: If you're experiencing a toothache:

  • Rinse your mouth with warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt.
  • Use dental floss to remove any food particles or plaque wedged between your teeth.
  • Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling and pain.
  • Avoid placing aspirin directly against the gums near the aching tooth, as this may burn the gum tissue.
  • Take over-the-counter pain relief if necessary, following the package directions.

How we treat toothaches: At our practice Dr. Chougule or Dr. Fasone will first find the cause of your toothache, which can include decay, infection, or injury. Treatment may involve filling cavities, performing root canal therapy, or, in severe cases, extracting the tooth. We might also prescribe antibiotics to treat infections.

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency?: A chipped tooth is generally not a dental emergency unless it is causing pain, has a sharp edge, or is creating issues with eating or speech problems. However, it should still be fixed quickly to prevent further damage.

How you should handle a chipped tooth:

  1. Save any pieces of the chipped tooth, if possible.
  2. Rinse your mouth and the tooth fragment with warm water.
  3. If the chipped area is sharp, cover it with a piece of sugar-free gum or dental wax.
  4. Apply a cold compress to your cheek to reduce swelling and relieve pain.

How we treat chipped teeth: Treatment options for a chipped tooth depend on how bad the damage is. Small chips can often be smoothed out or filled with bonding material. Bigger breaks may need a dental veneer or crown to restore the tooth's appearance and function.

Learn More About Cosmetic Bonding Learn More About Porcelain Veneers

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Yes, a cracked tooth is considered a dental emergency, especially if it causes severe pain or has the potential to become infected. If your tooth cracks, call us and schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

How you should handle a cracked tooth:

  • Rinse your mouth with warm salty water to clean the area.
  • Apply a cold compress to your face to minimize swelling.
  • Avoid chewing on the side of your mouth with the cracked tooth.
  • Cover the tooth with sugar-free gum or wax if it has a sharp edge.

How we treat cracked teeth: Treatment for a cracked tooth depends on the size and location of the crack. Minor cracks may require only a dental filling or bonding, while more severe cases might need a crown or root canal to save the tooth and prevent further damage.

Learn More About Cosmetic Bonding Learn More About Dental Crowns

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency?

Tooth sensitivity occurs when damaged or thin enamel allows outside stimuli to irritate the sensitive inner layers of the teeth. This issue can have various causes, from non-urgent problems to major oral health issues that require emergency care. Any new or worsening sensitivity is a reason to call your dentist.

How You Should Handle Sensitive Teeth

Call our team and describe the situation. Based on what you tell us, we will recommend your next steps. For example, we might advise you to visit us right away for urgent treatment. Or, we may give you tips for at-home care until you can visit us at a more convenient time. Dietary modifications and sensitivity-reducing toothpaste may be helpful.

How We Treat Tooth Sensitivity

The best treatment for sensitivity depends on what is causing it. You might need a filling, gum disease treatment, prescription mouthwash, root canal therapy, or a number of other treatments. Our team will tailor your care to your unique situation.

Learn More About Gum Disease Therapy

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is a Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A knocked-out tooth, also known as an avulsed tooth, is one of the most urgent dental emergencies! You should seek care within an hour or two of losing the tooth in order to increase the chances that it can be saved.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth

Touching the tooth only by its crown (the part that is normally visible above the gumline), rinse it off. Then, try to place it back in its socket or tuck it between your cheeks and gums. If neither of those options are possible, store it in a glass of milk or use a tooth preservation kit from a local pharmacy. The key is to keep it moist! However, you should not place it in plain water or in any acidic liquids.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth

In some cases, we are able to splint an avulsed tooth back into place. Over time, your body should reintegrate it. If preserving the tooth is not possible, we will tend to the damage to your oral tissues and talk to you about your tooth replacement options. You might be a good candidate for a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture.

Learn More About Dentures

Learn More About Dental Implants

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency?

Restorations, such as fillings and crowns, are not intended to last indefinitely. Eventually, you might find that one falls out! This is not a particularly urgent emergency, but you should still visit a dentist as soon as your circumstances allow. Otherwise, your tooth could incur additional damage.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown

You might be able to temporarily reattach the lost restoration with a dab of toothpaste or dental cement. If that is not possible, store it in a small container and bring it with you to your dental appointment. In the meantime, try to avoid chewing with the affected tooth.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns

We might be able to permanently reattach your lost restoration. However, there is also a chance that you will need an entirely new restoration. In some cases, we even need to perform additional restorative work on the affected tooth.

Learn More About Metal-Free Dental Crowns

Broken Denture

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? Since a broken denture negatively impacts your life in more ways than one, it’s absolutely a dental emergency! So, don’t hesitate to call us to schedule an appointment, even if the damage seems relatively minor.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture There are a few steps we recommend taking, starting with calling us to schedule an appointment. You also should put your denture somewhere for safekeeping instead of wearing it. This will help prevent soft tissue injuries and prevent it from breaking further.

How We Treat Broken Dentures If the break is relatively minor, we’ll likely be able to fix your denture at our office. If that’s not the case, then we will begin the process of having a new partial, full, or implant denture made.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTURES

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, especially if your tooth feels like it’s about to fall out. So, don’t hesitate to reach out to us, share your symptoms, and schedule an emergency appointment.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth Basically, you want to avoid doing anything that will loosen your tooth further. That includes eating crunchy foods, chewing on that side of your mouth, and wiggling your tooth with your finger or tongue.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth First, we will see if your tooth can be saved with a dental splint. If it’s better to remove it, then we will extract your tooth instead. We will also explore your tooth-replacement options – from dental bridges to dental implants – to ensure your smile is completely restored.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency? Most of the time, soft tissue injuries don’t require a same-day visit to our Fort Mill dental office. That said, you can always reach out to us if you aren’t sure how to handle this situation at home. We’re here to help!

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue First, you need to locate the cut. The best way to do that is by rinsing your mouth with clean, cool water. Then, use a damp washcloth or gauze to apply pressure until the bleeding stops.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue If the cut continues to bleed after 10 minutes of applying pressure, it’s important that you call 911 or head to the ER for the necessary medical attention.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? It is if it’s negatively impacting your quality of life! In other words, if you’re having a hard time eating, sleeping, or simply concentrating because of your jaw pain, you should schedule an emergency exam ASAP.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain In the short-term, measures like using a cold compress, eating only soft foods, and taking OTC pain medication will help. For long-term relief, however, the root of the problem needs to be addressed.

How We Treat Jaw Pain After learning about your symptoms, your Fort Mill dentist will take X-rays, examine your jaw, and determine what the root of the problem is. Then, they will share their findings and discuss your treatment options, like TMJ therapy.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TMJ TREATMENT

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

If you get something lodged between your teeth, like a piece of food, it’s important to remove it before it negatively impacts your oral health. We recommend rinsing with warm saltwater before using floss to gently remove the debris. Do NOT use sharp objects, like a pocket-knife or tweezers.

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Dental patient checking in at reception desk for emergency dentistry

Since no two situations are exactly the same, we can’t provide you with an estimate of the cost of emergency dentistry in Fort Mill here. Rest assured, we will give you a number after completing a comprehensive oral exam, reviewing your treatment options, and creating your custom treatment plan. In the meantime, you can read on to learn more, including the financial solutions that are available outside of dental insurance.

Why Every Dental Emergency is Different

Woman smiling while holding small mirror

To put it simply, every dental emergency is different, and the cost of treatment reflects that. For example, minor cases of tooth decay might only require an inexpensive filling, while others may need more extensive and pricier procedures like a crown, a root canal, or a tooth extraction. After Dr. Chougule has performed an emergency exam, she can discuss the different treatment options available and help you decide which one is best for you. Then, we help you understand the costs involved and come up with ways to fit your care into your budget.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Dental insurance forms on tablet and phone

If you have dental insurance, then your provider may cover the cost of one emergency exam per year as well as up to 80% of the cost of essential restorative care. Of course, there are waiting periods, annual maximums, and yearly deductibles that need to be considered as well, so don’t hesitate to provide us with your membership information. Since we are in-network with Delta Dental and we accept all other major plans, we can give you an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses and file the paperwork on your behalf, making the process of utilizing your available benefits significantly easier.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Smiling dental assistant handing patient form

If you don’t have dental insurance, that’s okay! You can also save by:

  • Joining Our Dental Membership Plan – With our in-house plan, you can enjoy several cost-saving benefits, like one emergency exam with X-ray per year, without the annoying red tape that traditional dental insurance usually comes with.
  • Signing Up for Flexible Financing – Trusted third-party financiers, like CareCredit, offer convenient payment plans. All you need to do is select the one that’s best for you. Then, you can break up the cost into more budget-friendly chunks!

Take Care of Your Smile, Save Money!

Man smiling while flossing in mirror

If you want to protect your smile from a painful dental injury and your wallet from an unexpected bill, we have good news: many dental emergencies are preventable. The key is incorporating healthy habits into your routine, like wearing a mouthguard during sports, limiting your intake of added sugar, and scheduling a dental checkup and cleaning twice a year. At the same time, avoid doing anything that could compromise the health of your teeth and gums, like smoking.

Important reminder: If abnormal symptoms surface, like bleeding when you floss, you shouldn’t take the “wait and see” approach. Instead, you should contact our team and, if needed, schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Fort Mill.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Dental patient at dentist for preventive dentistry to avoid dental emergencies

You’re less likely to be faced with a dental emergency when you take the right steps to prevent them. These include brushing and flossing every day at home to reduce your risk of tooth decay and infections. Also, you should get two dental checkups per year so that we can stop small issues from becoming emergencies later on. To protect your teeth from physical trauma, wear a mouthguard if you play sports and a nightguard if you tend to grind your teeth while asleep.