What is considered a dental emergency?
Any problem with your teeth or jaw that needs prompt attention or threatens your dental health is a dental emergency. When you have severe pain or a loose tooth, for example, you shouldn’t wait for a normal appointment. You can call Fairfax Corner Dental for dental emergencies any day or time.
Examples of dental emergencies include:
- Dislodged, broken, or knocked-out teeth
- A broken crown or bridge
- Infected or abscessed teeth
- A toothache
If you’re not sure whether or not your problem is an emergency, call Fairfax Corner Dental anyway. The friendly staff can offer recommendations and arrange for proper care in those situations.
When is it better to go to the emergency room?
In most cases, your dentist at Fairfax Corner Dental can take care of dental emergencies. In fact, the ER staff may provide temporary relief and refer you to the dentist anyway.
A few situations do warrant an emergency room trip though. You should head to the hospital if you experience any of the following:
- You can’t reach anyone at your dentist’s office
- You have a serious infection that seems to be spreading
- You’ve been in an accident or experienced an injury
- You have serious or unstoppable bleeding
- You suspect your jaw might be broken or dislocated
What should I do in a dental emergency?
First, contact Fairfax Corner Dental any time of day. The office staff or answering service can guide you through the next steps.
The following tips could help you save your tooth and preserve your dental health:
- Toothache: Rinse with warm water and apply a medicated cream like Orajel™
- Knocked-out tooth: Gently hold the tooth in its socket or place it in a cup of milk
- Cracked tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress
If any part of your tooth or dental work falls off, preserve them and bring them with you to the dentist’s office. You can buy temporary dental cement at the drugstore to keep on-hand for emergencies like these.
If you have a dental emergency, call Fairfax Corner Dental right away. If you call outside of normal business hours, you’ll automatically be sent through to their emergency line for immediate assistance.
