Emergency Dentist in Winston-Salem, NC
As much as we’d like to be perfectly healthy all the time, occasionally, life throws an obstacle in our way. If that obstacle has anything to do with your teeth, gums, or mouth, and you need immediate professional help, you may need to see an emergency dentist.
Dr. Keider and his experienced team are ready to provide emergency dentistry treatments when you need them most. We provide the expertise and compassion to address your problems quickly and effectively, ensuring you can begin the road to recovery as soon as possible.
What Is Considered a Dental Emergency?
Not every dental health issue falls under is considered an emergency. The American Dental Association defines a dental emergency as a condition requiring “immediate action to prevent biological, functional, or aesthetic complications.” To clarify, here are some common examples of dental emergencies:
- Sudden, relentless, and severe oral pain
- Abnormal swelling of the face or jaw
- Uncontrollable bleeding from the mouth or gums
- Broken or knocked-out teeth
- Painful, red gums
- Physical injury to the tongue, gums, lips, or cheeks
If you’re unsure whether you’re experiencing a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to call our office. Dr. Keider can discuss your symptoms over the phone and provide guidance on the most appropriate course of action.
For emergencies during our regular business hours, we do our best to see you as soon as possible. In emergency scenarios, prompt treatment ensures the best outcomes.
If you call after-hours, listen to the instructions on the voicemail—we can assist you even when the office is closed. However, if your situation is potentially life-threatening, please visit the nearest emergency room. While hospital emergency departments don’t typically staff dentists, the staff can assess your situation, assist with managing pain and symptoms, and offer additional guidance until you can see Dr. Keider.
What Is Not an Emergency?
All oral health issues should be dealt with sooner rather than later, but not every problem requires urgent dental care. We can address the following issues at a scheduled appointment:
- Mild or subdued toothache
- Minor tooth sensitivity
- A tiny crack or chip in the enamel
- Food or other object stuck between teeth
These symptoms can be irritating and lead to further complications if not addressed promptly. Be sure to call us to schedule an appointment and take care of these concerns as soon as you can.
How Can I Deal With Symptoms While I Wait?
We do our best to see you the same day you experience a problem, but if you need relief while waiting for your appointment, here are our recommendations for common dental issues:
- Knocked-out tooth: Grip the tooth from the chewing end and not by the root. Carefully clean off any dirt or debris, and then, if possible, gently push the tooth back into the empty socket to preserve it. Alternatively, you can store the tooth in your cheek or submerge it in milk until an emergency dentist can see you.
- Broken tooth: Rinse your mouth out with warm water. If you’re bleeding, use a piece of gauze to halt the blood flow. Rinse any recoverable broken tooth pieces with water and save them. If enough of the original tooth has been recovered, Dr. Keider may be able to reconstruct it.
- Severe tooth pain: Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth with it for 30 seconds to help relieve pain. You can also use an ice pack and over-the-counter medication to help with swelling or aching.
- Broken or lost dental restoration: Older restorations like crowns and bridges can become dislodged or fall out over time. Save the restoration if you can, and avoid chewing in that area until you can get help. Be sure to bring the restoration to your visit, as Dr. Keider may be able to re-cement it.
Common Services an Emergency Dentist Provides
Dr. Keider stays current on the latest advancements in dental care, ensuring his patients have access to cutting-edge treatments. His dedication to continuous learning allows him to offer a wide range of procedures in-house, reducing the need for referrals.
Many of our restorative dentistry procedures can be used in emergencies, allowing us to solve almost any dental emergency quickly and efficiently.
- Tooth replacement: Dental trauma can sometimes cause your tooth to be completely knocked out. If not addressed, missing teeth can lead to many future oral health problems. They also affect your ability to eat and speak without restriction. Crowns, bridges, and implant dentures are all common restorative procedures, and all of them can be performed swiftly and with minimal invasiveness thanks to mini dental implants.
- Tooth reattachment: We may still be able to save your tooth if it has been knocked out or dislodged. Acting quickly gives Dr. Keider the best chance to reattach it rather than replace it.
- Root canal therapy: A root canal is an infection of a tooth’s inner chamber. Like any infection, if left untreated, it can spread and cause more damage over time. Root canal treatment will alleviate the pain, restore the tooth’s function, and help keep the surrounding teeth healthy.
- Tooth extraction: Our primary goal is to save a damaged or infected tooth rather than replace it. Sometimes, however, a severely compromised tooth can’t be restored, and we must extract it to prevent further damage. In these cases, Dr. Keider will perform the extraction and explain your options for prompt replacement.
- Emergency repairs: A dental emergency can happen anytime and affect even the most seemingly sturdy dental prosthetic. We can quickly repair your false teeth, allowing you to return to your normal routine.
Contact a Skilled Emergency Dentist for Urgent Care
During a dental emergency, the last thing you want to worry about is figuring out what to do or where to go. At our office in Winston-Salem, NC, we provide emergency services with the highest level of expertise and care. If you need a skilled and compassionate emergency dentist, call us right away so we can recommend the best path forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because emergency dentistry comprises so many different potential procedures, it’s impossible to say what the cost will be until we know what needs to be done.
However, urgent dental care is an investment in your oral health and well-being. Just like ignoring a warning light on your car’s dashboard can lead to a bigger repair down the road, not addressing a serious medical issue can cause complex issues in the future.
You should go to the emergency room if:
- You believe your dental emergency is life-threatening.
- You are experiencing uncontrollable bleeding.
Emergency rooms and urgent care facilities generally don’t employ dentists, so they can’t provide specialized dental care. However, healthcare professionals can help manage pain, uncontrollable bleeding, or other serious issues. Once your symptoms are stabilized, you should contact our office for treatment.
If you call outside office hours, please listen to the outgoing message for important instructions. If you’re a patient of record, you’ll have the option to contact Dr. Keider directly for guidance and next steps. No matter your situation, we’ll do everything we can to assist you.