Emergency Care in Asheville
Dental emergencies happen fast: a fall on the playground, a sudden toothache, or swelling that was not there yesterday. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes, and when to call, makes a real difference for your child’s tooth.
5 Stars“Amazing pediatric dentist!! Dr. Dan is great and patient with the kids. All the staff are amazing and sweet.. my son has ADHD so he can be talkative and hyper and they still are patient and funny with him.. 10/10 recommend”Felica A.
5 Stars“Fantastic! Super charming, professional, efficient. My nervous little hypochondriac went in there terrified, and the calm, cool staff at BR pediatric dentistry set her at ease and pulled two teeth in what felt like seconds. Lovely miniature train set, as well! 10/10 would recommend!!!”Jeffrey S.
5 Stars“My boys are 5 & 7 so we have years of experience with Doctor Dan and his staff. We moved to Black Mountain 4 years ago but it’s worth the drive for our children to have a good dental experience. Always a great atmosphere, everyone goes above and beyond to make sure our children feel safe and comfortable. Doctor Dan not only did our sons dental surgery but also personally reached out to us to check on our son after he had surgery! That meant a lot! Great place, Maggie is just the cherry on top🐾”Jolea E.
Urgent care for children’s teeth calls for a dentist trained in how baby teeth and developing permanent teeth respond to injury and infection. Dr. Dan Knechtel completed his pediatric dentistry residency at Yale New Haven Hospital in 2008, is certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and is a member of the medical staff at Mission Hospital. He has cared for Asheville families since 2011, and after 14 years of coaching his children’s basketball and baseball teams, he knows firsthand how quickly a sports injury can happen.
If your child hurts a tooth, call us right away. A few minutes can matter, especially with a permanent tooth that has been knocked out.
— Dr. Dan Knechtel
When Your Child Needs Urgent Dental Attention
A severe or persistent toothache, a broken or displaced tooth, or swelling around a tooth calls for prompt dental guidance. Pain that interrupts eating or sleep also deserves attention. Contact a dental provider rather than waiting for the next checkup, even if you cannot see an obvious injury.
Some symptoms need medical emergency care rather than a dental appointment. Call emergency services for trouble breathing or swallowing, serious facial trauma, or heavy bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure. A child who loses consciousness or shows signs of a head injury after a fall also needs immediate medical attention.
What to Do After a Tooth Injury
After an injury, keep your child calm and check for bleeding, missing teeth, and changes in the way the teeth fit together. Use clean gauze to apply gentle pressure to a bleeding area. A cold compress against the outside of the cheek can help with swelling. Avoid pushing or repeatedly touching a loose or displaced tooth.
A knocked-out permanent tooth needs immediate dental attention. Hold the tooth by its crown, not its root, and do not scrub it. Keep it moist in milk while seeking care if it cannot be put back in place. Never reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth. If you are unsure whether the tooth is permanent, contact a dental provider immediately for instructions.
Responding to Tooth Pain and Swelling
Tooth pain can come from decay, an injury, or an infection. Gently cleaning the area and removing trapped food with floss may help if food is causing irritation, but persistent pain needs a dental assessment. Do not place aspirin directly against a tooth or gum, and avoid chewing on the painful side.
Swelling, a bump on the gum, drainage, or fever with tooth pain can signal infection. Seek prompt dental care rather than waiting for the swelling to improve on its own. Rapidly spreading swelling, swelling near the eye or neck, or difficulty breathing or swallowing requires emergency medical attention.
What an Emergency Dental Assessment May Involve
An emergency dental assessment generally starts with questions about symptoms and how the problem began. A dentist examines the affected area and may recommend X-rays to check damage or look for the source of pain. The findings guide whether treatment is needed promptly and what options are appropriate.
Treatment recommendations for a dental emergency depend on the examination findings, including the extent of injury or signs of infection. A recommendation depends on the condition of the tooth, whether it is a baby or permanent tooth, and your child’s dental development. Ask about the purpose of any proposed treatment, alternatives, and what care may be needed afterward.
What to Prepare Before You Contact a Dentist
Be ready to describe where your child hurts, when symptoms began, and whether there has been a fall or other injury. Mention swelling, fever, ongoing bleeding, a missing tooth, or trouble eating and drinking. Explain any change in your child’s behavior, such as becoming unusually tired or distressed.
Have your child’s medical history, current medicines, and allergies available. If a tooth has broken, bring any fragments you can find. Note any care you have already given, including medicines and when your child took them. Report worsening symptoms rather than assuming the original advice still applies.
Why Choose Blue Ridge Pediatric Dentistry for Emergency Care?
In an emergency, parents need clear direction fast. When you call, our team will help you understand what to do next and whether your child should come in, so you are not left guessing.
Your child will also be seen by a pediatric specialist who understands the difference between injuries to baby teeth and permanent teeth, which shapes every treatment decision after an accident.
Questions About Pediatric Dental Emergencies
A chipped tooth should be assessed even without pain because visible damage may not show the full extent of the injury. Contact a dentist promptly, especially if the tooth is loose, has a sharp edge, or shows a pink or red area inside the break.
A baby tooth loosening naturally is usually not an emergency. A tooth loosened by an injury, especially with pain, bleeding, or a changed bite, needs prompt dental guidance. Do not force an injured tooth out.
Pain going away does not always mean the dental problem has resolved. Arrange a dental assessment for unexplained or recurring pain, and seek prompt attention if swelling, fever, or drainage develops.
A dentist generally evaluates tooth pain, broken teeth, and dental injuries without serious medical symptoms. An emergency department is appropriate for breathing or swallowing problems, uncontrolled bleeding, serious facial trauma, or signs of a head injury.
Do not put a baby tooth back in, because this can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath. Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze to control bleeding and call our office so we can check the area.
Contact Us About Emergency Dental Care in Asheville
If your child has tooth pain, swelling, or a dental injury, contact Blue Ridge Pediatric Dentistry about emergency care in Asheville. Describe your child’s symptoms and when they began, and ask about the next step for seeking care.
Medically reviewed by Dan Knechtel, DDS on
