Regardless of how well you take care of your teeth, how often you visit the dentist, or how healthy your teeth are, dental emergencies can happen at any time. And when they do, it’s important to know what to do and who to call.
At Ridgetop Dental, we understand that dental emergencies can be painful and disruptive, and we will do everything we can to get you the urgent dental care you need as quickly as possible. In fact, we make an effort to see both new and existing patients on the very same day that they call us. When you visit our emergency dentist in Alexandria, VA, you can be confident that you’ll receive the expert, compassionate care you need. After all, it’s what you deserve, and it’s what we do.
$99 Emergency Exam & X-Ray Special
In our efforts to ensure patients receive the urgent dental care they need in the event of an emergency, our emergency dentist offers an Emergency Exam Special to greatly discount the cost of urgent dental care intervention. As part of this appointment, you will receive a thorough exam and an x-ray to help our team determine the best way to address your problem. From there, we can develop a treatment plan that will get you out of pain and on the road to recovery as quickly as possible.
What Is Considered a Dental Emergency?
There are a number of different situations that can be considered dental emergencies, and it’s important to seek treatment from an emergency dentist as soon as possible if you find yourself in one of them. Some of the most common examples include the following:
- Toothache that is intense and/or has lingered for more than a couple of days
- A cracked or chipped tooth
- An object that is wedged between teeth
- Sudden swelling in the mouth or around the jawline
- Severe bleeding from the gums
- Loss of a tooth (partial or complete)
If you’re not sure whether your situation constitutes a dental emergency, the best course of action is to be cautious and give our emergency dentist a call. We will be able to advise you on whether you need to come in for treatment right away, or if it can wait until our next available appointment. In the event that you are waiting for an appointment, we have provided a guide below on how to handle some of the most common dental emergency situations.
Emergency Care Guide
Toothache: A toothache can indicate a number of different dental problems, so it’s important to see an emergency dentist as soon as possible to determine the cause. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with warm water and use floss to remove any food particles that may be caught between your teeth. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication to help manage the discomfort.
Object Wedged Between Teeth: If you have an object wedged between your teeth, do not use any type of sharp instrument to try and remove it. This could damage your teeth or gums. Instead, gently floss around the object to see if you can loosen it enough to remove it by swishing water in your mouth back and forth. If you can’t, call our office and we will be able to remove it for you.
Swelling: If you experience sudden swelling in your mouth or around your jawline, this could be a sign of infection. Apply a cold compress to the area to reduce inflammation and call our office as soon as possible so we can provide care to resolve the situation.
Knocked-Out Tooth: If you lose a tooth, try to find it and bring it with you to our office. Hold the tooth by the crown and avoid touching the root. Rinse the tooth with clean water and attempt to reinsert the tooth into its socket. If this isn’t possible, place the tooth in a cup of milk or saliva. Time is of the essence in this situation, so call our office right away for dental care.
Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth: If you have a broken, chipped, or fractured tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the area to reduce swelling. Find any pieces of the tooth that you can and bring them with you to our office. Call us right away so we can determine the best course of treatment.
Dental emergencies can be scary, but it’s important to remain calm and act quickly. Our emergency dentist is here to help you through every step of the process, from examination to treatment. Give us a call today and we will get you on your way to feeling better as soon as possible.
The Ridgetop Dental Difference
Our emergency dentist in Alexandria, VA can address common and complex dental emergencies and provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. On Monday through Friday, our office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and we have an answering service that will contact our dentist directly if the office is closed. In addition to these flexible capabilities, we also offer the following for urgent dental care needs:
- Same-day appointments
- Same-day pain relief
- A doctor on call 24/7
- Emergencies are seen promptly
No one plans on having a dental emergency, but unfortunately, they happen. Whether you’re dealing with a cracked tooth, a lost tooth, or something else entirely, it’s important to feel prepared, supported, and confident that you’re getting the best possible care.
