Recognizing a Dental Emergency: When to Seek Care

Dental emergencies can strike when you least expect them, requiring emergency care to relieve pain, repair a damaged tooth, treat an infection, or address a soft tissue injury. At Ateeth Dental Care, we strive to offer same-day appointments to provide you with prompt relief. You can count on Dr. Sri and her patient-centered team for care that goes above and beyond your expectations.

Why Would You Need Emergency Dental Care?

A dental emergency is an oral health concern that requires immediate care. It’s important to contact us right away if you have a persistent toothache, signs of infection such as swelling of the gums or face, bleeding from the mouth, or a knocked-out, dislodged, or otherwise damaged tooth. Our experienced team always recommends the most conservative solutions to get your smile’s health back on track. 

At Ateeth Dental Care, we strive to accommodate same-day appointments to address your emergency as soon as possible. If you need urgent dental care outside our office hours, please call us for guidance. If, however, you have a severe injury, uncontrollable bleeding, or a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 for immediate assistance. 

The following is a look at the most common dental emergencies we treat here at our Reston practice:

• Tooth Pain: A severe or persistent toothache can result from trauma, extensive decay, or infection. Rinse with warm water, use over-the-counter pain medication for relief, and place cold compresses on the area to address swelling. Call us for immediate care. 
• A Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Permanent Tooth: A knocked-out tooth requires prompt treatment. After calling our office, pick up the tooth by its crown and return it to its socket or place it in some milk or saliva. The sooner you receive care, the better the chances of saving the tooth.
• A Displaced (Luxated) Tooth: Place gentle pressure on the tooth to keep it in place by biting down on gauze or a piece of clean cloth. Dr. Sri may recommend a splint to stabilize and save the affected tooth. 
• An Abscessed Tooth: Tooth pulp damage, left untreated, can lead to painful complications, such as a tooth abscess, which may appear as a pimple-like bump on the gums. It’s important to seek prompt emergency dental care to prevent the infection from affecting the surrounding teeth or posing a risk to your health. 
• A Chipped, Broken, or Fractured Tooth: A tooth chip or fracture can leave the tooth’s inner pulp exposed, which can lead to pain and infection. Even if the tooth is not painful, it’s important to seek immediate care to prevent complications. 
• A Lost Filling or Crown: Losing a dental filling or dental crown may not always seem like an immediate emergency, but it can provide an entryway for harmful bacteria to enter the tooth, leading to further decay or damage. You can use sugar-free gum or over-the-counter dental cement to hold your restoration in place until your appointment.  
• Soft Tissue Injury: If you injure your gums, tongue, or lips, apply gentle pressure to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding is severe and uncontrollable, seek prompt care at the nearest emergency room. 

Emergency Dental Care Near Me in Reston, VA

If you or a family member needs emergency dental care, call Ateeth Dental Care at 571-446-4060 for immediate assistance. Dr. Sri will recommend the most conservative solutions to relieve your discomfort and get your smile back on track as soon as possible. We are here to support your smile every step of the way.