Mint Hill Smiles

Dentist in Mint Hill, NC

Emergency Dentist in Mint Hill NC - Same Day Appointments at Mint Hill Smiles

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Emergency Dentist in Mint Hill NC

If you are reading this page because something hurts, stop reading and call us.

The number is (704) 323-7577. We make same day appointments available for patients in pain and we will get you in as quickly as we possibly can.

If you want to know more about what to expect when you call, keep reading. We are going to tell you exactly how we handle dental emergencies at Mint Hill Smiles and what you can do in the meantime to manage your discomfort.

Emergency Dentist in Mint Hill NC

You Do Not Have to Wait This Out

Dental pain is not something your body is designed to ignore for long. It gets worse before it gets better and the underlying problem, whatever is causing the pain, does not resolve on its own. An infected tooth does not heal without treatment. A cracked tooth does not stabilize itself. A lost filling or broken crown leaves the tooth exposed and vulnerable to everything that comes in contact with it.

We hear from patients regularly who have been sitting with dental pain for days or even weeks because they did not want to be a bother, did not know if their situation qualified as a real emergency, or were anxious about what they might find out. We want to be clear: if something hurts, it qualifies. Call us. We would rather hear from you on a Tuesday morning when the pain is manageable than on a Friday afternoon when it has become unbearable.

We also want to address the anxiety piece directly. A lot of patients with dental pain are also patients with dental anxiety, and those two things together can be paralyzing. If that describes you, tell us when you call. We will prepare your appointment with that in mind and we will take care of you.

What Counts as a Dental Emergency

If any of the following applies to you, please call us today.

Severe toothache or throbbing pain that is not responding to over the counter pain relief. This is almost always a sign of infection or significant nerve involvement and it needs to be evaluated and treated.

Swelling in the jaw, cheek, or gum tissue: Swelling from a dental infection can spread and escalate. Any swelling that is growing or affecting your ability to swallow or breathe warrants urgent attention and in severe cases a visit to the emergency room.

A broken or cracked tooth: Depending on where the break is and how much of the tooth is involved, a broken tooth may need immediate attention to protect the nerve and the remaining structure. Even a break that is not currently painful can become painful quickly as the exposed tooth makes contact with air, food, and temperature.

A tooth that has been knocked out: Time matters here more than almost any other dental emergency. If a tooth has been completely knocked out, handle it by the crown, not the root, and keep it moist. Place it in a container of milk or between your cheek and gum if you can manage it. Call us immediately. In some cases a knocked-out tooth can be reimplanted successfully if we see you within an hour.

A lost filling or crown: A tooth without its filling or crown is exposed and unprotected. It may be sensitive and it is vulnerable to further damage. Call us to get it assessed and covered as quickly as possible.

A dental abscess: An abscess is a pocket of infection at the root of a tooth or in the gum tissue that typically presents as a pimple-like bump on the gum, significant pain, swelling, or fever. Abscesses require prompt treatment because the infection can spread.

Emergency Dentist in Mint Hill NC for Toothache

What Happens When You Call

When you reach us, tell us what is going on and we will work to get you an appointment the same day whenever possible. We triage based on what you describe so we can prepare appropriately before you arrive.

When you come in, we will take the time to listen to what has been happening before we do anything clinical. You are not going to be rushed into a chair and poked at before we understand the situation. We use our CBCT cone beam imaging and digital X-rays to get a complete picture of what is happening with the tooth and the surrounding structures. Then we sit with you and explain what we found and what your options are.

Our goal in an emergency appointment is first to get you out of pain and then to put a plan together for whatever comes next. Sometimes the solution is straightforward, an extraction that can be completed the same day, a temporary restoration to protect a broken tooth, or treatment for an infection. Sometimes the findings point toward a more involved treatment plan that we schedule as a follow-up. Either way, you will leave knowing exactly what is happening and what the path forward looks like.

Managing Pain Until You Can Get In

If you cannot reach us or your pain occurs after hours, here are some things that may help while you wait.

For a toothache or infection pain, ibuprofen is typically more effective than acetaminophen because it addresses both pain and inflammation. Take 400 to 600mg with food every six to eight hours as long as you tolerate it. Alternating with 500mg of extra strength Tylenol can provide additional relief. Do not place aspirin directly against the tooth or gum tissue. This is an old remedy that actually causes tissue damage.

Clove oil applied with a cotton ball directly to the painful tooth or gum is a traditional remedy that contains eugenol, a natural anesthetic, and can provide temporary relief while you wait for your appointment.

If swelling is spreading rapidly, you are having difficulty breathing or swallowing, or you develop a fever, please go to the nearest emergency room. These are signs that a dental infection has spread beyond the tooth and requires immediate medical attention beyond what a dental office can provide.

Same Day Emergency Appointments in Mint Hill, Matthews, and Southeast Charlotte

We serve patients with dental emergencies from Mint Hill, Matthews, Indian Trail, Stallings, Weddington, Midland, Albemarle and throughout southeast Charlotte, NC. We accept most major insurance plans including Delta Dental, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Healthcare. If you do not have insurance, we will work with you and walk you through costs and financing options before any treatment begins.

Call (704) 323-7577 as early in the day as possible to give us the best chance of getting you in the same day. You can also visit minthillsmiles.dentist. We are at 11300 Cresthill Drive, Suite 105, Mint Hill, NC 28227.

Dental pain is not something you should have to sit with. Let us help.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Dental Care

If you are in significant pain, have visible swelling, have a broken or knocked-out tooth, or have lost a restoration that is leaving your tooth exposed and sensitive, call us. You do not need to diagnose yourself before reaching out. We would rather you call and find out it can wait a day or two than suffer through the weekend with something that needed to be seen today.

Call our main number at (704) 323-7577 and listen to the outgoing message for after-hours instructions. For any situation involving spreading swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or high fever, go directly to the emergency room.

The cost depends on what treatment is needed. We will always explain the cost and your options before we proceed with anything beyond the initial evaluation. Emergency visits are covered at least in part by most dental insurance plans. If you are uninsured, we will walk you through costs clearly so you can make an informed decision. Brush365 members receive a 15% discount on all treatment including emergency care.
Urgent care and emergency rooms can prescribe antibiotics and pain medication, which may provide temporary relief from a dental infection. However, they cannot treat the source of the problem, the infected tooth, and the infection will return without dental treatment. Antibiotics alone are not a long-term solution for a dental abscess or infected tooth.