Dental Emergency Fairfax VA

Dental Emergency | Most of us can tell when we’re having a serious medical event. Chest pain, difficulty breathing, head trauma, uncontrollable bleeding, and broken bones are situations that require a trip to the emergency room. But what if you have dental issues, such as severe pain, possible infection or a tooth that has been knocked out?

It can be hard to know what constitutes a dental emergency. If you are experiencing an oral health issue, can you call your dentist on a holiday, weekend, or in the middle of the night? Should you go to the emergency room of your nearest hospital instead?

It’s important to understand what kinds of dental issues can wait until morning and what types are real emergencies that require immediate care and can threaten your health or even cause you to lose a tooth. Are you unsure if you have a dental emergency? The team at Breeze Dental can advise you of the next steps. Call us anytime at (703) 273-5545.

How to Know if it’s a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies are common. However, not all oral health issues require immediate care. Should you call your dentist, go to the ER or wait until the morning? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Are you bleeding or in severe pain? If you are bleeding in your mouth or experiencing severe pain, these are signs of an emergency.
• Have you had a tooth knocked out? Prompt action can help save your tooth.
• Do you have loose teeth? Adults should never have loose teeth. Even if you are not in pain, a loose tooth can be a sign of a serious issue.
• Do you have an infection? Swelling in your gums can signal an abscess or serious infection. Such an issue in your mouth can be potentially life-threatening, so seek treatment right away.

In general, if you need to stop bleeding, alleviate severe pain, treat an infection or save a tooth, then it is considered an emergency. No matter what time it is, call your dentist’s office immediately and describe what happened. They will advise you of your next steps. If you cannot reach your dentist, then go to the emergency room.

Common Dental Emergencies

• Knocked-out tooth. If your tooth has been knocked out, be sure to take swift action. It is possible that your dentist can save your tooth. Carefully pick up the tooth by the crown, not the root. Rinse it off without scrubbing. Place the tooth back in the socket, if possible. You can also place the tooth in a small container of milk to preserve it.
• Cracked or chipped tooth. Minor cracks or chips likely won’t warrant a trip to the dentist. However, if you have a very painful or serious fracture, rinse out your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to your face to reduce swelling. Take acetaminophen for the pain.
• Abscessed tooth. A dental abscess involves infection and can life-threatening.  An abscessed tooth may cause fever, toothache, tooth sensitivity, swelling in the face and pimple-like bumps on your gums. The infection can spread into your jaw and other areas of the body, so rinse your mouth with saltwater and seek medical treatment right away.

What Isn’t a Dental Emergency

Some dental issues are not as urgent as you may think and can actually wait until the next morning or even through the weekend. For example, a chipped tooth that is not causing you any pain is not an emergency. However, if the fracture has left fragments inside your gums or is causing significant pain, then you should see your dentist right away.

A toothache can also wait until office hours if the pain is not too severe and you do not have a fever or swelling, which could signal an abscess.  However, you should always contact us with any dental concern as it may be an emergency.

How to Avoid Potential Emergencies

The best way to prevent dental emergencies is to focus on proper oral hygiene. Brush and floss daily. Schedule regular cleanings and exams with your dentist. Your dentist will check for loose fillings and crowns as well as decay, infection, gum disease and other oral health issues. If you do have any of these problems, your dentist can address them before they develop into an emergency. 

Contact Us Today

In summary, dental emergencies can happen at any time and require urgent care. If you are suffering from severe pain or have had a tooth knocked out, it may be an emergency situation. Contact the dentists at Breeze Dental at any time, 24/7. Our team is highly-experienced and fully-equipped with the latest dental technology. Your smile is very important to us. Contact us so that we can assess your situation and get you the care you need. Call our dental office at (703) 273-5545 or book online.