Before Your Visit
This general advice is not intended to take the place of diagnosis and recommendations by a dentist. When you have a dental emergency, follow these tips to stay comfortable until you can be seen for treatment in our Northern Virginia office.
Knocked-out Tooth (Avulsed)
If possible, hold the tooth in place in the socket. Otherwise, place the tooth in a glass of milk and get to our office in Northern Virginia right away. Do not remove any attached tissue, and do not rinse in water.
Toothache
Rinse your mouth out with warm water, then use floss to make sure there is no food or other material lodged around the gum line causing the pain. If the pain continues, call us.
Bitten Lip or Tongue
Clean the area thoroughly then apply an ice pack to help reduce swelling. If the bleeding does not subside, call us immediately, or go to a hospital emergency room for help.
Lost Dental Filling or Dental Crown
For lost dental fillings, seal the area with a piece of sugarless gum or over-the-counter dental cement. If a dental crown has become loose, do not try to put back in place, put in a plastic bag and bring it with you to our office in Northern Virginia for treatment.
Dental Abscess
If you notice a painful, pimple-like swelling on your gums, rinse with salt water and immediately contact our office in Northern Virginia. A dental abscess can lead to a more serious infection if not treated promptly.
Broken Tooth
Save any pieces of the broken tooth and rinse your mouth with warm water. Apply a cool compress to the area to help decrease swelling and pain until you can get to our office in Northern Virginia.
Object Stuck in Teeth
Gently try to remove the object with floss and do not use a sharp instrument. If you are unable to dislodge the object with the help of floss, call us.