More About Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency can be tooth pain, swelling, infection, broken teeth, or trauma. These problems rarely improve on their own and, in fact, can often worsen quickly. The safest step is to contact a dentist immediately so they can treat the problem before permanent damage or severe infection occurs.

When Is Tooth Pain an Emergency?

Call Dr. Peter B. Pryor, Jr.s' dental office in Winston-Salem right away if you have:

• A toothache that keeps you awake
• Pain when biting or chewing
• Facial or gum swelling
• A broken, cracked, or chipped tooth
• A tooth that has suffered a blow, resulting in a broken, loose, or knocked-out tooth
• A lost filling or crown causing pain
• Signs of infection (swelling, redness, bad taste, pus, drainage)

Important: Swelling in the face or jaw can become a medical emergency if untreated.

Severe Toothache

• Rinse gently with warm salt water
• Consider over-the-counter pain medications as permitted by your primary care physician
• Do NOT place aspirin on gums
• Avoid chewing on that side

Knocked-Out Tooth

• Hold the tooth by the crown (not the root)
• Rinse gently with sterile or clean water, if dirty (no scrubbing)
• Place back in the socket OR in milk (only adult teeth can be reimplanted)
• Get to a dentist ASAP

Broken Tooth

• Save the pieces if possible
• Rinse your mouth with room-temperature tap water
• Avoid swallowing or aspiration of pieces if possible
• Use dental wax on any sharp edges
• Avoid hot and cold foods

Swelling or Abscess

• Place a cold compress on the outside of the face (think ice cubes in a zip-lock bag wrapped in a towel; apply for 20 minutes)
• Do NOT try to pop it
• Call immediately—infections can spread quickly

We focus on an accurate diagnosis, so Dr. Pryor can relieve your pain and address the cause and source of the issue. 

Possible treatments may include:

• Emergency exam and x-rays
• Gentle numbing for pain relief
• Filling or temporary restoration
• Root canal therapy
• Crown or crown repair
• Tooth stabilization
• Extraction if necessary
• Antibiotics when appropriate
• Pain medicine recommendations

Afraid or Haven’t Been to the Dentist in Years?

Many emergency patients feel embarrassed or nervous, but our practice is a judgment-free zone, and pain relief is always our priority!

At Dr. Pryor's office, our approach is:

• No judgment
• Explain everything first, discussing diagnosis, options, risks, benefits, and alternatives. We will answer all your questions.
• Proceed with treatment as decided by the patient, ideally the same day or ASAP.

Most hospitals do not have dentists on staff. Dental care in the emergency department can be very limited, with hospitals usually providing antibiotics and pain medication only. The issue may return or worsen unless and until the dentist treats the source of the problem. 

Will a Toothache Go Away on Its Own?

Depending on the cause of the pain. It is best practice to have issues evaluated by a dentist. Symptoms like pain may go away and then may return and worsen.

Not having pain or swelling does not always mean the issue is completely resolved. It is best to get checked by an emergency dentist to ensure the issue is properly diagnosed and treated before it worsens.

How Fast Should I Act?

Emergencies can have serious and lasting impacts on your oral and overall health. For example, dental infections can spread to the jaw, sinus, and, in rare cases, the bloodstream.

Do You Accept Same-Day Emergency Appointments?

Yes! Call Dr. Pryor's dental office at (336) 765-7477 as early in the day as possible for the best availability. We will do our best to see you ASAP.

Call Now For Emergency Dental Care in Winston-Salem

If you are in pain, the safest step is an evaluation today. Prompt treatment often saves teeth and prevents serious infection.