Emergency Dentist in Washington DC

What is a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is any situation that poses an immediate threat to the health of your teeth and supporting tissues. Dental emergencies are often the result of impact to the mouth, but they also can be caused by infection. To ensure the best possible outcome, any dental emergency should be evaluated by a professional immediately.

Dental emergencies are potentially life threatening and require immediate treatment to stop ongoing tissue bleeding, alleviate severe pain or infection, and include:

  • Bleeding that doesn’t stop
  • Painful swelling in or around your mouth
  • Pain in a tooth, teeth or jaw bone
  • Gum infection with pain or swelling
  • After surgery treatment (dressing change, stitch removal)
  • Broken or knocked out tooth
  • Denture adjustment for people receiving radiation or other treatment for cancer
  • Snipping or adjusting wire of braces that hurts your check or gums
  • Biopsy of abnormal tissue

Urgent dental care focuses on the management of conditions that require immediate attention to relieve severe pain and/or risk of infection and to alleviate the burden on hospital emergency departments.

How soon should I be seen?

If you are experiencing a dental emergency, we recommend you contact us as soon as possible. We can offer same-day emergency services for most conditions.

After Hours Emergencies:

For patients that are experiencing severe dental emergencies, such as significant infection, pain or trauma, we have early morning, evening, and weekend hrs available and do our best to fit emergency patients into our day!

Please call us at DC Pearls Dental Boutique Phone Number 202-750-8718

What to do if a tooth is knocked out:

For permanent teeth that are knocked out, rinse the tooth and put it back in the socket. If you can’t get the tooth back in the socket, place it in a container of milk, water or saliva to keep it moist. Do not touch the roots (handle the tooth by the crown) and don’t brush the tooth. Contact us IMMEDIATELY for information and emergency treatment – the sooner you get to us, the more likely your tooth can be saved!

Experiencing a Dental Emergency?

For baby teeth that are unexpectedly knocked out, leave them out and contact the child’s dentist immediately for instructions.

emergency dentist Washington DC

Other Emergency Dental Situations:

  • Substantial Toothache
  • Significant Sensitivity
  • Swollen or Sore Gums
  • Jaw Pain
  • Infection
  • Broken, Cracked and Chipped Teeth
  • Broken Fillings
  • Lost Crown

Pain Management:

If you can’t get into your dentist’s office immediately, here is a list of effective home remedies to make you more comfortable while you wait for care:

  • Warm water rinses for sore teeth and gums.
  • Over the counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • Ice packs applied to the outside of cheeks.
  • Dental anesthetics containing benzocaine may be used as directed on the package for pain.
  • Avoid overly hot and cold beverages and foods to reduce sensitivity.
  • Heating pads may be used for jaw pain.
  • Avoid chewing in the injured area.
  • If a broken tooth has a sharp edge, cotton can be placed over it to protect soft tissues in your mouth.

Pain-Free Emergencies:

Some dental emergencies may not cause pain initially. For example, a cracked tooth may not hurt, but it may lead to nerve damage in the roots. For this reason, all of the listed conditions need immediate attention, whether or not pain is present.

We are here to help! Please contact us if you have any emergency condition.