Oral health issues often occur when you least expect them. Emergency dentistry can provide immediate relief if you lose a permanent tooth or develop a painful cavity. At King Centre Dental, Dr. Benson Clark, the top emergency dentist in Alexandria, and the team boast years of experience offering emergency dental care. To make an appointment at the practice in Alexandria, Virginia, call the office today or schedule online.
What is Emergency Dentistry?
Emergency dentistry provides same-day care for potentially serious oral health problems. If you damage a dental restoration or bite down on your tongue and it won’t stop bleeding, don’t wait to seek professional help. The sooner you contact our expert emergency dentist in Alexandria, the sooner you can take steps to limit the pain and prevent complications.
What is Considered a Dental Emergency?
At King Centre Dental, the team uses emergency dentistry to treat various issues, including:
Knocked-out Teeth: This refers to teeth completely displaced from their sockets due to trauma or injury. It’s crucial to seek immediate dental care as there’s a chance we can save the tooth if we treat it promptly.
Fractured and Chipped Teeth: Fractured teeth have cracks or breaks in the enamel, while chipped teeth have a piece of enamel missing. These can occur due to various reasons, such as accidents, biting down on hard objects, or dental decay. Treatment may involve dental bonding, crowns, or veneers, depending on the severity.
Cuts That Won’t Stop Bleeding: In oral health, this typically refers to cuts or wounds that continue to bleed inside the mouth. These can occur from accidental bites, trauma, or dental procedures. If bleeding persists, seeking medical or dental attention is essential to prevent infection and facilitate healing.
Oral Abscesses: An oral abscess is a painful pus collection in the gums, teeth, or jawbone. It usually results from a bacterial infection, but it can also result from untreated dental decay, gum disease, or trauma. Symptoms include severe toothache, swelling, and fever. Treatment typically involves draining the abscess and may require antibiotics
Damaged Dental Restorations: Dental restorations include fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants to repair missing teeth. Damage to these restorations can occur due to wear and tear, trauma, or decay. Prompt repair or replacement is necessary to maintain oral health and prevent further damage.
Broken Orthodontic Appliances: Orthodontic appliances such as braces, retainers, or aligners straighten teeth and correct bite issues. However, they can break or become damaged from accidental trauma, improper use, or normal wear and tear. Therefore, it’s important to contact your orthodontist for repairs to ensure treatment progresses effectively.
Loose or Broken Dentures: Dentures are removable dental appliances used to replace missing teeth. Over time, dentures may become loose or broken due to changes in the jawbone, normal wear and tear, or accidents. Prompt repair or adjustment by a dentist is necessary to maintain proper fit and function.
You might also benefit from emergency dentistry if you develop a toothache that doesn’t respond to conservative treatments like ice or over-the-counter pain medication.
What Should I Do in an Oral Health Emergency?
The steps you should take during an oral health emergency depend on the underlying issue.
Knocked-out Tooth
If one of your permanent teeth gets knocked out, carefully pick it up and rinse it in tap water. After cleaning it, try to put the tooth back in the socket. If the tooth wobbles, tuck it inside your cheek or put it inside a glass of milk. Once the tooth is safe, contact King Centre Dental.
Severe Toothache
If you wake up with a severe toothache, take over-the-counter pain medication and rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. If the pain persists or worsens, contact King Centre Denta. The administrative staff can make recommendations to ease the discomfort on your way to the office.
Damaged Dental Restoration
If you damage a dental restoration, like a crown, bridge, or veneer, try to pick up the pieces and carefully rinse them in cool tap water. Once the pieces are free of dirt and debris, place them inside a plastic bag or wrap them in foil and contact King Centre Dental in Alexandria, VA.
How Can I Keep My Teeth and Smile Healthy?
Investing in preventive dentistry is the easiest way to keep your teeth and smile healthy. Routine visits to King Centre Dental can alert you to potentially serious issues in their early stages when they’re most responsive to treatment.
Aside from regular oral exams and professional teeth cleaning, the team recommends brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing before bed, and avoiding bad habits like nail-biting and chewing on hard objects like pen caps.
Best Emergency Dentist in Alexandria
When a dental emergency happens, you need urgent dental care fast. If you find yourself in a dental emergency, look no further than the top emergency dentist in Alexandria. If you need emergency dentistry, make an appointment at King Centre Dental by calling the office today or scheduling online.