Dental Emergency in Winston-Salem? What to Do Now
A toothache that wakes you during the night is different from mild sensitivity after drinking something cold. A crown that falls out before dinner is inconvenient, but a permanent tooth knocked out during a soccer game requires immediate action.
Knowing the difference can help you protect your teeth, control discomfort, and avoid delaying a problem that needs treatment.
If you are experiencing dental pain or have injured a tooth, call Reynolda Smiles at 336-922-2542. Explain what happened, when it started, whether you have swelling, and how severe the pain is. Those details help the dental team determine how quickly you should be examined.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is a problem that requires prompt professional attention to relieve severe pain, control bleeding, treat an infection, or improve the chance of saving a damaged tooth.
Common dental emergencies include:
Severe or persistent tooth pain
A knocked-out permanent tooth
A cracked, broken, or displaced tooth
Swelling in the gums, face, or jaw
Signs of a dental abscess
Bleeding that does not stop
An injury to the mouth or jaw
A loose or damaged restoration that causes pain or exposes the tooth
Not every dental problem requires treatment within minutes. However, that does not mean it should be ignored. A lost filling, broken crown, or chipped tooth may not feel serious at first, but the exposed tooth can become sensitive or sustain additional damage.
When you are uncertain, call the dental office and describe the symptoms rather than trying to judge the situation on your own.
When Should You Go to an Emergency Room?
Most toothaches, broken fillings, and damaged crowns are best evaluated by a dentist. A hospital emergency department may help control serious bleeding, evaluate facial trauma, or manage an infection that threatens your airway, but it may not be able to provide the dental treatment needed to repair the tooth.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
Difficulty breathing, speaking, or swallowing
Rapidly increasing swelling in your mouth, face, jaw, or neck
Swelling near an eye or changes in your vision
Heavy bleeding that will not stop
A serious injury to your face or jaw
Loss of consciousness, vomiting, confusion, or double vision after a head or facial injury
These symptoms can indicate a medical emergency that extends beyond the tooth itself.
What to Do for a Severe Toothache
Tooth pain can come from a cavity, a cracked tooth, an inflamed nerve, an infection, or even food lodged tightly between two teeth. Because several problems can produce similar pain, the cause cannot be confirmed from the symptom alone.
While arranging an appointment:
Rinse gently with warm water.
Floss carefully around the painful tooth to remove trapped food.
Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth.
Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek if swelling is present.
If you normally take an over-the-counter pain reliever safely, follow its package directions.
Do not place aspirin directly against the tooth or gum. It can irritate and burn the tissue. Pain medicine may make the wait more manageable, but it does not repair decay, seal a crack, or remove the source of an infection.
Call promptly if the pain is constant, interrupts your sleep, becomes worse when you bite, or occurs with swelling, fever, drainage, or a pimple-like bump on the gum.
What to Do If a Permanent Tooth Is Knocked Out
A knocked-out permanent tooth is time-sensitive. The American Association of Endodontists recommends reaching a dentist or endodontist within approximately 30 minutes when possible.
Take these steps:
Pick up the tooth by its white chewing surface, called the crown.
Do not touch the root.
If the tooth is dirty, rinse it briefly and gently with water. Do not scrub it or use soap.
If possible, place the tooth back into its socket without forcing it.
If you cannot replace it, keep it moist in milk or an emergency tooth-preservation solution.
Call a dentist immediately and bring the tooth with you.
Do not wrap the tooth in a dry tissue or leave it sitting on a countertop. The cells on its root need to remain moist.
A knocked-out baby tooth should not usually be placed back into the socket because doing so could harm the permanent tooth developing underneath it. Call a dentist so the child can be checked for other injuries.
What to Do for a Cracked or Broken Tooth
Rinse your mouth gently with warm water. If the injury caused facial swelling, hold a cold compress against the outside of your cheek. Save any pieces of the tooth you can find and bring them to your appointment.
A small chip may only feel rough against your tongue. A deeper fracture may cause sharp pain when biting or sensitivity to cold air and drinks. Even when the broken tooth does not hurt, it should be examined because the location and depth of the fracture determine whether the tooth needs bonding, a crown, root canal treatment, or another type of care.
Avoid testing the tooth by repeatedly biting on it. Choose soft foods and chew on the opposite side until a dentist evaluates it.
What If a Crown or Filling Falls Out?
A missing filling or crown can leave the underlying tooth sensitive to temperature, pressure, and sweets.
If a crown comes off, retrieve it and place it in a clean container. Do not use household glue to put it back. Household adhesives are not made for use inside the mouth and may damage the tooth or complicate treatment.
Keep the area clean, avoid hard or sticky foods, and call the dental office. If the tooth is painful, has sharp edges, or prevents you from biting normally, say so when you call.
Signs That a Tooth May Be Infected
A dental abscess is a pocket of infection associated with a tooth or the surrounding gum tissue. It does not reliably resolve without dental treatment.
Possible warning signs include:
Persistent throbbing pain
Pain when biting or chewing
Swelling of the gum, face, or jaw
A bump resembling a pimple on the gum
A foul taste or drainage in the mouth
Fever or feeling generally unwell
Tender or swollen glands in the neck
Increasing difficulty opening your mouth
An abscess may sometimes drain, causing the pressure and pain to decrease. That temporary relief does not necessarily mean the infection is gone. The source still needs to be evaluated.
What Happens During an Emergency Dental Visit?
An emergency visit is focused first on identifying the source and severity of the problem.
At Reynolda Smiles, the dental team performs a visual examination of the affected area and may take an X-ray. An X-ray can reveal details that are not visible from the surface, including decay beneath a restoration, changes around a tooth’s root, or damage involving the supporting bone.
After the examination, the dentist will explain what was found and discuss the available treatment options. Depending on the diagnosis, care could involve repairing a tooth, replacing a restoration, treating an infection, protecting a damaged tooth, or arranging appropriate follow-up care.
Reynolda Smiles currently offers a $59 emergency exam and X-ray for new patients without insurance. Offer terms may change, so confirm eligibility when scheduling.
Emergency Dental Care at Reynolda Smiles
Reynolda Smiles is located at 3244 Reynolda Road in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The practice provides general and restorative dental care in a comfortable, bilingual environment.
If you have severe tooth pain, swelling, a broken tooth, or another urgent dental concern, call 336-922-2542. Tell the team:
Where the problem is located
When it began
Whether an injury occurred
Whether swelling or bleeding is present
What makes the pain better or worse
Whether you have a fever or difficulty swallowing
Specific information makes it easier for the team to understand what is happening and guide you toward the appropriate next step.
Do not wait for pain to become unbearable before calling. Dental pain often signals a problem that needs diagnosis, even when medication temporarily reduces the discomfort.
This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for an examination, diagnosis, or individualized medical advice. Call 911 for a life-threatening emergency.