Updated: June 18, 2026
At Pryor Dental, we provide prompt and efficient emergency dental care to our patients. We realize that emergencies—and specifically dental emergencies—are not something most people plan for.
Dental emergencies often strike unexpectedly, and that’s okay. You may wake up with a severe toothache on a Saturday morning or experience a minor accident and chip your tooth during an evening bike ride. Either way, we’re here to help when you need us most, even after hours. As we carry forward a proud local legacy of dedicated care, our team continues to monitor our voicemail and phone system when our office is closed so we can support our patients through any emergency situation.
We treat several types of dental emergencies in our office, and we will do our best to assess your situation over the phone and offer guidance on proper care before you even arrive.
Different Types of Dental Emergencies
There are a variety of injuries that count as dental emergencies, in addition to other common urgent issues like infections. Below, we explain some common types of dental emergencies that may require our intervention.
Toothaches
Toothaches are a common problem, and a cavity is not always the culprit. You may also experience a toothache due to an injury, such as a fractured or cracked tooth, or your pain could indicate an underlying infection.
If you’re experiencing a severe or prolonged toothache, we recommend scheduling an emergency dental appointment. Once you arrive at our Winston-Salem dental office, Dr. Peter B. Pryor Jr. will perform a thorough examination to determine the exact cause of your pain. He will do everything possible to relieve your discomfort immediately and provide you with personalized treatment options.
Tooth Infections
As mentioned above, tooth infections can cause significant dental pain, which can present in various ways. The pain may be sharp or throbbing, or it may radiate from the affected area. Your tooth may also only hurt when you’re chewing or otherwise putting pressure on it.
Other symptoms of an infected or abscessed tooth include:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Swelling
- Foul breath
- A bad taste in your mouth
- A visible sore or pustule on the gums
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms and suspect a tooth infection, we highly recommend that you call our dental team immediately. Untreated tooth infections can progress quickly and lead to severe, even life-threatening, health complications.
We’ll address your tooth infection with swift, thorough care to protect your overall health and quickly relieve your pain.
Tooth or Gum Trauma
If you’ve injured your mouth, whether it involves a tooth or your gum tissue, you may require emergency dental treatment. For example, we can stabilize and protect certain broken or fractured teeth using a custom dental crown. We also have the ability to successfully reimplant a knocked-out tooth if the tooth is properly cared for and the patient reaches our practice quickly.
Prompt treatment is vital to achieving successful outcomes in trauma situations, so always inform our skilled team as soon as possible after an oral injury. We will prioritize getting you into our office right away.
Most Common Emergency Treatments
When you arrive at our Winston-Salem dental office with an emergency, Dr. Pryor will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your condition, which will include a visual exam alongside digital X-rays and other modern diagnostic measures. He will then recommend a targeted treatment plan dependent on your specific injury or condition.
One of the most common emergency treatments we perform is root canal therapy. We regularly perform root canal treatments in Winston-Salem to remove infected pulp from the center of the tooth, or to treat an injured root and nerve complex.
If we can completely resolve the problem during your emergency visit, we will do so. If your situation requires an appointment at a later date, we will ensure the tooth is stabilized and you are completely comfortable before scheduling your follow-up procedure.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
When it comes to preventing dental emergencies, proactive care is key. We’ve put together a few essential tips to help you avoid unexpected and unnecessary dental emergencies:
- Take excellent care of your teeth and gums at home. This includes brushing and flossing regularly and visiting our dental office for routine cleanings and exams.
- Eat a healthy, low-sugar diet, and limit exceptionally crunchy or hard foods.
- If you play sports or participate in other physical activities, always wear a custom mouthguard to protect your smile.
By keeping your teeth and gums clean and strong, you can avoid many of the underlying issues that lead to emergency situations, such as advanced decay. Additionally, by continuously protecting your teeth when engaging in physical activities, you significantly lower your risk of experiencing a broken or knocked-out tooth.
Your Emergency Dentist in Winston-Salem
At Pryor Dental, we carry on a trusted tradition of offering gentle, efficient emergency dental care. Reach out to us today to schedule your emergency visit. We’ll make your experience in our office as comfortable, relaxing, and stress-free as possible.