Frequently Asked Questions

If you have had an entire tooth knocked out, place the whole tooth in a glass of milk, saliva or saline and see a dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible. If you are unable to see a dentist right away, go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care center.

If you have any swelling, call your dentist immediately or go to an urgent care facility if we are closed, as this is a common sign of a dental infection. However, if bleeding occurs during brushing and there is no swelling, this could be a sign of gingivitis, which is an important issue but does not require emergency attention. Call our office to schedule an appointment, and if you are diagnosed with gingivitis, we will schedule you for gum therapy to treat your symptoms.

Jaw pain could indicate temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. If you have pain immediately in front of your ear canal, it is a good indication that you have swelling in the jaw joint. Until you can see a professional, avoid hard or crunchy foods or anything that forces you to open wide. TMJ disorders can have very detrimental long term ramifications including osteo arthritis and joint degeneration. Our dentists have extensive training in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders, and we can help get you on the right track. Call to schedule an appointment with us at 336-272-4595.

Tooth grinding can lead to larger problems with your teeth over time and can make your jaw ache. Grinding during the day or while you are sleeping can cause very extensive damage to your teeth and gums, resulting in cracking or breaking of teeth and possible tooth loss. In some instances, a bite guard may be needed to protect teeth from grinding. Call for an evaluation, and we can speak with you about different options for night guards to protect your teeth from long-term grinding.

If you have severe pain, call your dentist or call for an appointment at 336-272-4595, or go to an urgent care facility right away especially if you have swelling. Typically, pain in a specific tooth can indicate that your body has lost the fight to dental infection, and the tooth has severe inflammation. Left alone, the risk of body wide infection goes up as well as the severity of the pain. Severe tooth aches can result in loss of sleep, an inability to eat, and in worst case scenarios, can result in death.

Many patients need to have their wisdom teeth removed to prevent overcrowding. If your wisdom teeth are coming in, schedule an appointment for evaluation to make sure they do not need to be removed. Continue to clean the area with gentle brushing until you can see your dentist. Avoiding the area involved can lead to worsening of the gum infections most commonly associated with erupting wisdom teeth. Usually specialized x-rays must be taken to evaluate your wisdom teeth and require a dentist/oral surgeon to accurately diagnose the problem. Hot or cold compresses can relieve pain when combined with over-the-counter pain medications.

If you have one particular tooth that is sensitive to hot or cold, call for an appointment at 336-272-4595. If you have mild overall sensitivity, you can try sensitivity toothpaste. Sensitivity toothpaste requires continuous use and can take several weeks to be effective. More severe sensitivity to hot or cold can indicate a more serious dental condition, including gum disease or dental decay, and requires dental intervention ASAP.

Cosmetic dentistry can offer you a number of options for broken or chipped teeth. Call our office to have one of our dentists evaluate which would be best for you. The options for reconstruction of anterior teeth are better and more numerous than ever. Constant innovation in dental science allows us to make more natural longer lasting restorations at affordable prices. Aesthetic dentistry can improve your smile, your mood and your self esteem.

Schedule an appointment to have a replacement made. In an emergency, we can often have dentures made in as little as 3 or 4 days.

If your filling falls out, call us immediately to schedule an appointment, and follow these steps.

Periodontal (Gum) disease ranges from mild gum inflammation to major damage to the soft tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place. Causes of gum disease begin with not brushing and flossing, which then causes plaque and tartar to build up on teeth. Tartar can only be removed by a professional cleaning from a dentist or dental hygienist. Risk factors include: smoking, hormonal changes in girls/women, diabetes, stress, certain medications, illnesses and genetic susceptibility.

Persistent bad breath, or halitosis as we refer to it in the North Carolina dental industry, is a much bigger dental health issue than most people think.  Keep in mind that we are not talking about bad breath from eating some delicious garlic bread; halitosis is a chronic condition.  Halitosis can indicate that you are headed towards some serious oral health issues, including gum disease, yeast infection, dry mouth, and other oral problems.

Dry Mouth is something that many people do not think of as a serious problem, but in fact, it can be quite detrimental to maintaining a healthy mouth.  Dry mouth can increase your risk of gingivitis, tooth decay and certain mouth infections.  It is a problem that can be caused by certain medications, diseases and even nerve damage.  To fight dry mouth, Friendly Dentistry recommends drinking water regularly, eating foods that stimulate the production of saliva, and seeing a physician if need be.

Oral Cancer includes cancers of the mouth and the pharynx, part of the throat. Risk factors are tobacco products, excessive alcohol use, and exposure to sunlight for lips. Oral cancer most often occurs in people over the age of 40.

Signs and symptoms of oral cancer include: a sore lump or thick patch in your mouth, lip or throat; a white or red patch in your mouth, a feeling that something is caught in your throat, difficulty chewing or swallowing, difficulty moving your jaw or tongue, numbness in your tongue or other areas in your mouth, and pain in one ear without hearing loss. Oral cancer exams are painless and quick and can be done at your regular dental checkup.

The specific type of toothbrush you use is a matter of personal preference, but your decision can have an effect on your oral health.  For example, using an electric toothbrush can be invaluable for those that lack the manual dexterity to reach every tooth using a traditional toothbrush.