Almost all of the time, your dental appointments are planned ahead of time, but when you are experiencing tooth pain or a dental injury, it’s important to know you have a place to seek emergency dental care. At Best Smiles in Henrico, Virginia, we have the experience and expertise to handle various emergencies with quality care. We encourage all patients experiencing a dental emergency to contact us as soon as possible so we can get you the relief you need. 

HANDLING COMMON DENTAL EMERGENCIES

If you are experiencing intense tooth pain or have damaged a tooth, you will likely require emergency dental care. While the first step should always be to call our office right away, there are some things you can do at home to alleviate pain and improve the chances of saving the tooth. 

  • Toothache – Thoroughly rinse the area to eliminate any food particles that may be stuck. Over-the-counter pain medications and cold compresses can help provide relief.
  • Chipped / Cracked tooth – Use a clean, wet washcloth to apply gentle pressure to the area to stop any bleeding. If you have any pieces of the teeth, gather them to bring to the office. If bleeding persists for more than 10 minutes, head to the emergency room.
  • Knocked-out tooth – If you have the tooth, pick it up by the crown portion and gently rinse it off. If you can, try placing it back into the socket. If it is not possible, the tooth can be placed in a glass of milk. We have the best chance of reimplanting a tooth within an hour, so prompt emergency care is crucial. 

PREVENTING DENTAL EMERGENCIES

While it’s impossible to prevent all emergencies, taking these steps can lower your risk of needing to make an unexpected trip to our office.

  • Practice good oral hygiene to keep your teeth strong and healthy
  • Avoid biting or chewing down on hard foods/objects
  • Do not use your teeth to open packaging
  • Wear a mouthguard when playing sports

THE COST OF DOING NOTHING

Ignoring potential dental emergencies is never a good idea. If left untreated, the problem will worsen, leading to infection, tooth loss, or lost restorations.

Need emergency dental care? Call us right away! Our team at Best Smiles in Henrico, Virginia, is here to help you through your dental emergency. Keep our number programmed into your phone and call us as soon as possible when pain or injury occurs