Emergency Dentist Fairfax VA
Whenever you are faced with any dental problem outside normal working hours, you’ll need an emergency dentist. But how will you know whether the problem is a normal dental problem that can wait or it is an emergency issue that needs to be dealt with immediately? You are faced with a dental emergency if you have any of these symptoms:
- Bleeding of the mouth
- Severe dental or gum pain
- Have a loose tooth (or loose teeth)
- Someone or something has hit you hard in the face, particularly the mouth and you are in great pain
- You have swelling in your facial area, particularly around or in the mouth
- Gum bleeding or swelling
Generally, any dental problem is regarded as an emergency if it needs immediate action to save your tooth, relieve strong pain, or stop bleeding. Severe infections are also emergency cases if they are life-threatening.
Some cases may be mistaken as emergency cases but they aren’t. For example, if a problem can wait for a few days before your dentist sees you, then it isn’t an emergency case. There are also some dental problems you can take care of at home and may not necessitate seeing a dentist.
What is Considered a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency needs immediate attention from an emergency dentist. This is because when left unattended, they may lead to bigger problems. For example, a dental infection can be fatal if not treated forthwith. Some of the common dental emergencies include:
Severe Toothache
A toothache can be as a result of exposed roots, tooth abscess, tooth decay, infected gums, or another reason. A toothache is considered an emergency only if the pain is unbearable.
When you have a toothache, use warm water to clean your mouth. You can then place an ice pack or a cold piece of cloth on the cheek with the painful jaw and let it stay there for about 20 minutes. This will help alleviate the pain. You can also use some recommended painkillers.
While doing this, you should be on your way to your emergency dentist’s office. Do not put any medication directly on your gum as this may lead to the inflammation of the gum and cause you more problems.
A Loose or Damaged Crown or Filling
Crowns or fillings can last for several years but eventually, they will wear out and can fall off. When this happens, you need to treat it as an emergency issue and see your dentist as soon as possible. The falling off of the crown or filling could mean there are other problems like cavities forming in your teeth.
Secondly, if your crown or filling has fallen off, your tooth will become very sensitive to temperature variations and it may begin to deteriorate. In case you are faced with this problem, clean your mouth immediately using warm water then use clean cotton wool to fill those cavities before heading to your dentist’s office.
Breaking or Chipping a Tooth
Breaking of chipping of your tooth is a very serious dental emergency. It usually happens when your tooth is hit hard by an object.
When your tooth gets broken or chipped, try to save it as soon as possible. Leaving it to stay longer may lead to further complications including infections.
Visit your emergency dentist as soon as possible to have your tooth checked. If the tooth can’t be saved, your dentist can recommend implants or dental bridges.
Broken Jaw
A broken jaw is another case that needs urgent attention. Even though your jaw can get broken without your teeth being affected, a broken jaw may lead to difficulty in breathing and eating and this may harm your health.
The broken jaw itself and the surrounding area can become very painful and if there’s an open wound, an infection may take place. That’s why when faced with this problem, you need to call or see your emergency dentist immediately.
Oral Infection
Some oral infections can be regarded as emergencies. Infections like gingivitis or cold sores require medical attention but they are not emergencies.
If you notice a swelling in your mouth or around the jawline and some difficulty in swallowing or breathing, then you need to see your emergency dentist right away.
Infections are dangerous because they can spread to other parts of the body. Some also lead to severe pain that can interfere with your sleep. Try to contact your dentist the moment you notice any signs of dental infection.
Knocked-Out Tooth
When your tooth gets knocked and falls off, you’ll have to act fast to save it. Put the tooth into a closed container with salty water or milk then rush with it to your dentist. Your tooth may be saved if you can do this within an hour. Beyond that, you may need an implant. A knocked-out tooth is also accompanied by bleeding and lots of pain. All these require immediate attention.
Learn More
Contact Breeze Dental for urgent dental care. We offer a variety of dental treatments to assist everyone. Call Breeze Dental at (703) 273-5545 or book an appointment online.