Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Emergency Services

Dental emergencies can sometimes feel scary or overwhelming, and other times you may not even realize you are in the midst of one. A good rule of thumb, when in doubt, is to always contact your dentist. Let Dr. Gentry determine if you need immediate attention, and if you don't, we can often give you helpful tips for managing your situation over the phone.

Here are some common dental emergencies and what you should do:

• A tooth knocked out: Contact your dentist immediately. You will need to be seen right away for the best chance of saving your tooth.
• Dental pain: A constant or severe toothache is often indicating an infection and needs immediate attention.
• A broken or lost restoration: Contact our office to assess your situation.
• Soft tissue injuries: Contact our office for further instruction.
• A broken or chipped tooth: A broken tooth will likely need attention right away. Give your dentist a call. You can likely schedule an appointment to manage a chipped tooth.

Contact Our Charlotte Clinic for Emergency Dental Care

Remember, if you need emergency dentistry in Charlotte, NC, you can always feel free to contact us and we will help get you treated and out of pain. If you are unsure about your condition, feel free to call our office and we can make a plan over the phone.  

Accidentally stabbing your gums or the roof of your mouth while eating can be both painful and concerning, but it’s not always a dental emergency. Minor injuries typically heal on their own within a few days. To help the healing process, rinse with warm salt water to clean the area and reduce the risk of infection. Applying over-the-counter pain relief or a cold compress can also soothe tenderness and minimize swelling.

However, certain situations require attention from an emergency dentist in Charlotte. If the wound is deep, bleeding doesn’t stop after applying pressure for 10 minutes, or the pain worsens over time, it’s crucial to seek professional care. These symptoms could indicate a more serious injury or an increased risk of infection, which needs immediate treatment to avoid complications.

Call Our Emergency Dentist in Charlotte, NC

If you’re unsure whether your injury requires urgent care, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Gentry Dental. Our experienced team is here to assess your situation and provide the care you need to protect your oral health and keep you comfortable. We invite you to contact us today for assistance with any dental emergency, big or small. Dr. Gentry and our team are here to help!

A dental abscess is a small pocket filled with pus that is caused by an infection. It can occur at the tip of your root, or in your gums next to your tooth. If it's in the tip of your root, it is typically caused by decay that's been left untreated or trauma caused by an injury or accident. Abscesses occurring in the gums are caused by gum disease.

Some signs or symptoms of an abscess are:

•     A severe and throbbing toothache that doesn't respond to over-the-counter medication
•     Pain with the pressure of biting or chewing
•     Swelling in your face or cheek
•     Swollen or tender lymph nodes in your neck
•     Fever
•     Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures

What Should I Do if My Tooth Is Abscessed?

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is crucial to contact Gentry Dental right away. A dental infection will not go away on its own, and if it's left untreated, it could result in tooth loss.

Contact Our Charlotte, NC Dental Clinic

Dr. Gentry will see you as soon as possible and may perform root canal therapy to eliminate the discomfort and infection your tooth is causing. Contact your emergency dentist in Charlotte, NC right away so we can get you back on the path to wellness.

To a dentist, a "true" dental emergency is an urgent problem that needs attention to save a tooth or relieve your pain. To patients, it's anything that occurs with their oral health that is out of the ordinary—from lost dental crowns and fillings to excruciating toothaches and everything in between.

Emergency Dentist in the 28210 Area

So, your Charlotte, NC emergency dentist Dr. Heather Gentry doesn't want you to spend a moment wondering if you should pick up the phone and call us for emergency dental treatment. We urge you to contact us anytime you have a concern, including any of the following:

• Toothache
• Broken tooth
• Lost dental crown
• Lost filling
• Infected tooth
• Tooth abscess
• Bleeding gums
• Loose teeth
• Knocked-out tooth

When you call us, a knowledgeable member of our dental team will ask about your symptoms to understand what's happening. If you are in pain, or if we think you need immediate treatment for a problem like an infected tooth, we'll see you at our Charlotte, NC dental office the same day.

Otherwise, we will get you on the schedule for our next available appointment and provide instructions for handling your situation until we see you.

Call Our Charlotte, NC Dental Clinic

Please don't hesitate to call us anytime you have a question or concern about your oral health—if it's important to you, it's important to us. Call our Charlotte, NC dental office if you have a dental emergency, and we'll provide the treatment you need so you can get on with your life.