Emergency Dentistry
Emergency Dental Care in Alexandria, VA
If something happens that threatens the life of your tooth, or if you have bleeding or severe pain or infection in your mouth, you are experiencing a dental emergency! We save room in our schedule for the unexpected so if you experience a dental emergency, don’t wait to call Belle Haven Dental. We never want our patients to wait in pain. Usually the sooner we are able to see you, the better the result when it comes to treating dental emergencies.
Some Common Dental Emergencies
Some dental emergencies require urgent care and some require immediate care. Because it’s often hard for patients to tell the difference, don’t hesitate to call our office for guidance.
- If you knock out a permanent tooth, contact us immediately. Try to put the tooth back into its socket yourself if you can. Carefully pick up the tooth by the crown and gently rinse off any debris before reinserting it. Don’t worry if you can’t reinsert the tooth but be sure to bring the tooth to our office in a sealed container of milk. The chances that the tooth can be saved are greater if you can get to the office quickly.
- Broken, cracked or chipped teeth vary in circumstances so call us immediately for instructions. We don’t want you to be uncomfortable but it’s not always necessary to be seen that same day. If you chip a tooth it’s possible that the piece can be bonded back to the tooth. If you can find the broken piece then bring it in with you.
- A loose permanent tooth could be a dental emergency or the result of gum disease or another dental disorder. Contact us so we can determine the best course of action. Be sure to tell us if it is the result of an injury or accident.
- Toothaches can have numerous causes. Some might be considered a dental emergency so we ask that you always call us if you are in pain so we can provide directions. Toothaches that are the result of infections need to be dealt with promptly. If a fever is also present, the infection could become serious and should never be ignored.
- Lost fillings, lost or broken dental crowns, or broken dentures don’t always require a same day appointment. We definitely want to get your smile repaired as soon as possible though so call us right away. We often have room in our schedule to see you the same day even though in these cases the life of your tooth is not usually in danger.
- An abscess is a buildup of pus underneath the gums which is caused by a bacterial infection. If left untreated, infections are not only painful, they can also be dangerous to your overall health. Call our office if you have a dental abscess. If the abscess is accompanied by a fever, then emergency treatment will be required.
