Dental emergencies have terrible timing. A cracked molar during Sunday dinner. A soccer ball to the face on a Tuesday afternoon. A toothache that waits until you lie down to really get going.
When it happens, you need two things fast: a clear idea of how urgent it is, and a dentist who will actually pick up the phone. Carlyle Dental sees emergency patients from Greenville, Winterville and Ayden at our Kinston office, about 35 minutes south. Here is exactly what to do while you get to us.
Call first: 252-522-1777. Our hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During those hours we work urgent patients in as quickly as possible. If you cannot breathe or swallow normally, skip the call and go to the nearest emergency room.
How Urgent Is Your Dental Problem?
Not every dental problem needs a midnight ER trip, and some cannot wait until Monday. This chart sorts it out.
What to Do Right Now, by Emergency
Knocked-Out Tooth
This is the one emergency where minutes truly matter. An adult tooth replanted within an hour has a real chance of surviving. Wait too long and the root cells die.
Severe Toothache
Rinse with warm salt water and floss gently. Food wedged between teeth causes more “emergencies” than you would think. An over-the-counter pain reliever taken as the label directs and a cold compress on your cheek can get you through until we open. Throbbing pain that wakes you up often means the nerve is infected and may need root canal therapy.
Broken or Chipped Tooth
Save any pieces, rinse your mouth and cover sharp edges with sugar-free gum or dental wax. Small chips are usually fixed with bonding. Larger breaks often need a crown, and our CEREC system can often make one the same day. Curious how it happens? Read nine unexpected ways people chip their front teeth.
Swelling or a Dental Abscess
A pimple-like bump on the gum or swelling in your cheek means infection. Do not pop it, and do not put heat on it. Call us the same day. If swelling spreads toward your eye or neck, or makes swallowing hard, go to the ER.
Lost Filling or Crown
Keep the crown and bring it in. A dab of denture adhesive or temporary dental cement from the pharmacy can hold it for a day. Avoid chewing on that side.
Wisdom Tooth Pain
Swollen gums behind your last molar, a bad taste and jaw stiffness point to an infected wisdom tooth. Rinse with salt water and call us. Many of these end with a planned wisdom tooth extraction.
What Happens When You Arrive
We start by getting you out of pain. A focused exam and low-dose digital x-ray show us what is happening, and then we explain your options and fees before doing anything. Sometimes that means a same-day fix. Sometimes it means calming an infection first and scheduling definitive care. If you are anxious, tell us. Sedation is available for many emergency procedures.
When You Should Head to the ER Instead
- Swelling that makes it hard to breathe, swallow or open your eyes
- A possible broken jaw or serious facial injury
- Bleeding that does not slow after 15 minutes of firm pressure
- High fever along with facial swelling
The ER will stabilize you. Follow up with us for the dental repair.
Preventing the Next Emergency
Most dental emergencies grow from small problems nobody caught. Regular checkups and cleanings, a mouthguard for sports and fixing cracked fillings early prevent a lot of weekend pain. Already had a tooth pulled? We cover dental implants and other replacement options so the gap does not cause new problems.
Emergency Dental Questions
Is there an emergency dentist near Greenville, NC?
Carlyle Dental in Kinston treats dental emergencies for Greenville, Winterville and Ayden patients during office hours, Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call 252-522-1777 first so we can prepare for you.
When should I go to the ER instead of a dentist?
Go to the emergency room or call 911 for facial swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, a suspected broken jaw, heavy bleeding that will not stop after 15 minutes of pressure, or a high fever with facial swelling.
What counts as a dental emergency?
Severe tooth pain, a knocked-out or loosened adult tooth, a badly broken tooth, facial swelling, a dental abscess or bleeding that will not stop all need care right away. A lost filling or small chip can usually wait a day or two.
What should I do about a toothache at night?
Rinse with warm salt water, floss to remove trapped food, take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the label, and use a cold compress on the cheek. Never put aspirin directly on the gum. Call us first thing in the morning.
How much does an emergency dental visit cost?
The cost depends on the exam, x-rays and the treatment you need. We explain fees before we begin, accept most insurance and offer CareCredit financing.
Can a dental abscess go away on its own?
No. The pain may come and go, but the infection stays and can spread. An abscess needs treatment such as drainage, a root canal or an extraction.
In pain right now? Call 252-522-1777. Carlyle Dental, 206 Airport Rd., Kinston, NC, serving Greenville, Winterville, Ayden, Grifton and Eastern North Carolina. We accept most insurance and offer financing.