JACKSONVILLE, NC — A Beautiful Smile, The Office of Dr. Gina Mancini, is reminding Jacksonville-area families that a hospital emergency room is often not the best first stop for a dental emergency. While it's a common instinct to head to the ER or urgent care for severe tooth pain, a knocked-out tooth, or a dental injury, the practice notes that these situations are usually better — and more affordably — treated by a dentist equipped to address the underlying problem directly.

"Emergency rooms can manage pain and rule out serious medical concerns, but they typically aren't set up to treat the dental problem itself," said Dr. Gina Mancini. "That often means a patient leaves with a prescription for pain medication and still has to see a dentist afterward to actually fix what's wrong. Coming to us first can save people both time and money, and it gives them a much better shot at saving a tooth."

According to the practice, common dental emergencies that should prompt a call to a dentist — rather than an ER visit — include:

Swelling, bleeding, or fever paired with tooth pain, which can indicate a tooth infection that may worsen into an abscess if not treated promptly
A knocked-out or badly chipped tooth, where quick action can make the difference in whether a tooth can be saved or repaired
Persistent or severe tooth pain that doesn't resolve with basic home care

Dr. Mancini also noted that not every dental concern requires emergency treatment. A tooth with only slight looseness, for example, may resolve on its own, and a fever without accompanying tooth pain is more likely tied to an unrelated illness. Patients who aren't sure whether their situation qualifies as an emergency are encouraged to call the practice directly for guidance rather than guessing or heading straight to a hospital.

For patients experiencing a knocked-out tooth, the practice recommends sanitizing the tooth and attempting to reinsert it into the socket when possible. If that isn't possible, the tooth should be kept in a container of water and brought to the dentist as quickly as possible to give the best chance of reattachment.

A Beautiful Smile, The Office of Dr. Gina Mancini, treats dental emergencies for both new and existing patients in Jacksonville, NC, and encourages anyone facing a sudden dental issue to call the office directly for prompt guidance and care.

About A Beautiful Smile, The Office of Dr. Gina Mancini

A Beautiful Smile, The Office of Dr. Gina Mancini, is a family dental practice located in Jacksonville, NC, offering general and family dentistry, emergency dental care, Invisalign, dental implants, periodontal therapy, same-day crowns, teledentistry, and Zoom teeth whitening.

Media Contact:
A Beautiful Smile, The Office of Dr. Gina Mancini
3685 Henderson Dr, Jacksonville, NC 28546
Phone: 1-910-347-9100