When your tooth suddenly breaks or chips, you have a sudden onset of severe tooth pain, you experience significant trauma to your mouth or face, or you lose a tooth out of your mouth, you should seek emergency dental care at Old Town Dentistry, as soon as possible. This is because any of these situations can result in pain or discomfort that can get worse or become infected and put you at risk for further complications. Suppose you visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible. In that case, we can perform necessary procedures such as root canal therapy to repair damaged teeth, oral surgery for broken jaws, or even tooth extraction to prevent further damage or infection. If you are experiencing any mouth pain, you must make an appointment with our dentist as soon as possible to avoid long-term damage to your smile.

Symptoms of a Dental Emergency

• Severe toothaches when you eat or drink hot or cold foods or drinks
• Pain and swelling in the jaw
• Facial swelling
• Cracked or broken tooth
• The tooth was knocked out completely
• Bleeding from the mouth
• A toothache caused by an abscessed tooth
• Broken crown or filling
• Wire poking at the gum line
• Objects stuck between the teeth
• Swelling in gums or face
• Excessive drooling
• Loose tooth
• Jaw locked in position
• Trouble speaking or swallowing
• Gums that are red or swollen
• Dark spot on the gums or tongue

Benefits of Emergency Dentistry

Several restorative treatments can be completed in one visit. For example, root canal therapy removes the damaged nerve tissue from a decayed tooth, then fills it with gutta-percha. This seals the tooth and prevents bacteria from further infecting the tooth’s root. Root canal therapy can save your tooth and prevent the need for extraction. The faster you get into a dentist’s office after a traumatizing event, the more likely you will have a positive outcome, such as saving a tooth. If you wait too long after an injury, the injury may worsen and affect the tissues and bone supporting the teeth. This can lead to more invasive and expensive procedures to address complications. Seeing the dentist immediately after a dental injury can help prevent infection and reduce the likelihood of needing extensive restorations. These procedures can include crowns, bridges, implants, or even dentures. If you have a painful toothache, getting to a dentist for treatment can lead to relief. Sometimes, pain can be a sign that the tooth's nerve is damaged. An antibiotic prescription or a filling can help eliminate your discomfort.

Regardless of the situation, you must seek immediate help for any pain that keeps you up at night or interferes with your life during the day. For the best dental care customized to your needs, visit Old Town Dentistry at 124 S. West Street Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22314, or call (703) 683-0800.