Got a Dental Emergency? Here’s What to Do, Step by Step 

There are many different kinds of dental emergencies, from dislodged teeth to injured gums. While these situations can be sudden and frightening, it’s important to stay calm and avoid causing further damage until you find a dentist. To avoid wasting time calling around or doing random walk-ins, you already have an emergency dentist in your hip pocket — preferably your regular dentist who knows you. 

At the practice of Dr. Padmaja Yalamanchili in Fairfax, Virginia, Dr. Yalamanchili offers general dentistry and emergency dentistry services so you’re never without expert dental care.  

What constitutes a dental emergency

A rule of thumb for dental emergencies is that if it feels like an emergency, it likely is one. Most people are willing to wait until business hours to schedule an appointment for a mild toothache, but time is of the essence when dealing with dental emergencies. 

If you don’t get the problem addressed quickly, you might end up with permanent damage or a missing tooth. Common dental emergencies include: 

• Partially dislodged teeth
• Knocked-out teeth 
• Broken teeth
• Chipped teeth 
• Soft tissue injuries 

Severe facial trauma means you’re better off going to the ER, but if the damage is contained to your teeth, your dentist can provide better care.

What to do in the event of an emergency

Depending on the situation, you should proceed differently. Here’s a quick guide to different dental emergencies and how to handle them until you can find a dentist. 

Dislodged or knocked-out teeth 

If your tooth has become dislodged or knocked out of the socket (known as an avulsed tooth), you are in danger of losing the tooth forever. This is when an emergency dentist becomes the most important. 

If the tooth is still in the socket, try to align it with your other teeth and avoid moving it any further. If it’s been knocked from your mouth, make sure to find it. If the root is still intact, wash off any debris and hold the tooth by the crown.

From here, you must act quickly. If you don’t have the stomach to try and push the tooth back into the socket, stash it in the corner of your cheek or in a cup of your own saliva. This keeps the root from drying out and increases the chances of re-implantation. 

Broken or chipped teeth

While a broken or chipped tooth might seem less dire, it’s still an emergency. Try to retrieve all the broken parts you can, and Dr. Yalamanchili can assess the damage and determine whether your tooth can be bonded back together. This is especially important if you've broken an incisor, as the fractured tooth may be salvageable.. 

Soft tissue injuries

This refers to damage to the gums, tongue, and the inside of your cheeks. Most people experience soft tissue injuries after being struck in the face, biting themselves, or suffering a fall. 

Typically, antiseptic mouthwash is the best way to treat minor tissue damage. However, if you have a large wound that is causing you significant pain and refuses to stop bleeding, it becomes a dental emergency.

Finding an emergency dentist before you need one

No one wants to be caught unprepared in the event of an emergency. There are many dentists that keep strict business hours, don’t work on weekends, and don’t accept walk-ins. This is why it’s important to keep an emergency dentist on hand. 

Dr. Yalamanchili has been handling emergency situations for over 15 years. If you want to improve your chances of keeping your tooth after it’s been broken, dislodged, or knocked out, she can help.

To get in touch, call 703-213-5312 or book an appointment online.