Emergency Dentist

What constitutes a dental emergency?

Any injury to your mouth or acute oral pain that you can’t effectively relieve or manage on your own can be considered a dental emergency. The team at Alexandria Total Dentistry knows that dental emergencies are rarely expected, but always require immediate attention. They treat any kind of urgent dental problem, including:

• Acute tooth pain and infections
  
• Loose or lost crowns or fillings
  
• Cracked or chipped teeth
  
• Gum pain, swelling, or abscesses
  
• Loose or lost permanent teeth
  
• Injuries to any soft oral tissues

If you have a dental emergency during regular business hours, call the office immediately. The team at Alexandria Total Dentistry can almost always provide same-day appointments for urgent care patients.

If your emergency happens outside of normal office hours, you can call or text your doctor — both Drs. Lee provide their cell phone numbers to patients, and are usually available to provide after-hours urgent care treatment.

If necessary, you can also go directly to your local urgent care center or emergency room.

Can a lost or loose permanent tooth be saved?

If one of your adult teeth has been accidentally loosened or knocked out, it’s important to see your doctor at Alexandria Total Dentistry as soon as possible. Early care can make the difference between saving your natural tooth and needing an artificial replacement.

If one of your permanent teeth has come out, you should take immediate steps to keep it safe and viable before you head to the dental office. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it in water. Then, if possible, place it gently back into its socket to keep it moist. Be careful not to push it down into the empty socket, however, as you may unintentionally damage the tissues that will help encourage future bone reattachment.

If you can’t put your tooth back in its socket, you can simply hold it in your mouth between your cheek and gums. If you’re concerned you may swallow the loose tooth, try wrapping it in sterile gauze and immersing it in milk or water. The most important thing is to keep it moist.

What should I do if I crack a tooth?

Cracked teeth are one of the most common dental emergencies. Some people have naturally weak teeth that are prone to cracking or chipping under pressure, while others have habits that are hard on their teeth. If you like to chew ice, eat hard candy, or open packages with your teeth, you’re more likely to fracture one of your teeth.

Any time you crack a tooth, you can begin immediate self-care by rinsing your mouth with warm water. If you’re in a substantial amount of pain, take ibuprofen, not aspirin, and place an ice pack or cold compress over the area to reduce swelling.

Then, as soon as you can, call Alexandria Total Dentistry for an emergency care appointment. Once they evaluate the extent of your fracture, your dentist can determine the best treatment approach.

Although a minor tooth fracture can generally be smoothed or repaired with relative ease, moderate or severe fractures often require full restoration with a porcelain crown.

If you’re in the midst of a dental emergency, call Alexandria Total Dentistry as soon as possible, or book a same-day appointment online.