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Emergency Dental Care Specialist

First Smile Dental Our Services Emergency Dental Care

First Smile Dental

General Dentistry & Cosmetic Dentistry located in Alexandria, VA

For severe injuries and trauma involving damage to the teeth, the skilled dental team at First Smile Dental, in Alexandria, Virginia, led by Keehong Kwon, DDS, and Erika Mogrovejo, DDS, provide patients with emergency dental care when they need it most. Sometimes life can be unpredictable and medical attention is an immediate necessity. Call First Smile Dental for same-day emergency care, or walk in during business hours.

Emergency Dental Care Q & A

What are the main reasons I would need emergency dental care?

Accidents happen, and they’re one of the top reasons for emergency dental care visits. Seeking immediate medical attention can mean the difference between saving or losing your tooth. Some of the most common reasons for emergency dental care visits are:

  • Moderate to severe toothaches
  • Knocked-out tooth from an injury
  • Cracked or chipped tooth from an injury

Simple precautions you can take to avoid a dental emergency include wearing a mouthguard during sports and high-impact activities. You should also avoid chewing on ice or hard candy since this can also cause damage to your teeth.

What causes tooth decay?

Tooth decay can often begin without symptoms or your knowledge. Bacterial plaque forms on your teeth and creates acid when it reacts with the sugars you eat. The acid softens and slowly dissolves the hard enamel that covers your teeth.

If left untreated, tooth decay can progress through the different layers of your teeth beyond the enamel. The pulp portion of your tooth contains the nerves and blood vessels, and when decay and bacteria reach it, an infection can develop.

The pain will likely get more severe at this stage of tooth decay. Other symptoms to watch out for include:

  • Fever
  • Red gums
  • Discharge from the tooth
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing

Since it can spread to other areas of your body, tooth decay can be serious if you get an infection and don’t treat it.

What do I do if my tooth gets knocked out?

If your tooth gets knocked out, retrieve the tooth and hold it by the crown, the top part. Rinse it off with water if it’s dirty and replace it in the socket if possible. If not, store it safely and keep it moist so that you can take it with you to the emergency room.

The sooner you seek medical care, the better your chances of saving your tooth. If you have a dental emergency, seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

If you have a dental emergency, call the team at First Smile Dental right away.

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