Dental Emergency

Do you have pain? Can’t wait till tomorrow? We’re here to help you immediately. Call us, and we will take care of you right away.

We understand that accidents happen, and it can be scary when they do. That’s why we are here to help when you have a dental emergency. We will do what we can to see you on the same day for emergencies.

If you have an emergency outside of our office hours, please call (703) 953-3307 and speak to our on-call emergency dentist in Herndon.

Below are some tips on how to deal with common dental injuries and traumas that you might encounter.

Toothache/Sore Gums

If you have toothache or sore gums, begin by rinsing your mouth with warm water to remove any food or debris. If there is anything stuck between your teeth, floss to remove it and take over-the-counter pain medication to relieve the pain. If the pain persists, please contact our dental office to arrange an appointment.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

If you have the broken pieces of a broken tooth, rinse them thoroughly and save the pieces. You can apply a cold compress near the gum tissue of the chipped tooth to prevent swelling. If there is any bleeding, apply gauze until the bleeding has stopped and give us a call for the next steps.

Knocked-Out Tooth

If you find yourself in a situation where your tooth is knocked out, make sure not to hold it by the root. Rinse it with warm water and if the tooth is whole, gently reinsert it into the socket and bite down on gauze to keep it place. If you can’t reinsert it, place it in a container of milk or mild saltwater solution — if treated within 2 hours, the tooth may be salvaged. Call our emergency line immediately.

Soft Tissue and Gum Emergencies

If you’re experiencing an injury to your soft tissues such as your gums, cheeks, tongue, or lips, you may see a lot of blood. Don’t panic as this is normal. First rinse your mouth with a warm, mild saltwater solution, and then apply pressure with gauze for 15-20 minutes. Then use a cold compress to the outside of your mouth. If the bleeding does not stop, please go to the emergency room.