A dental emergency can strike at any time, for any number of reasons. Dr. Hines and the staff at Premier Dental Care will try to accommodate any last-minute appointment requests so that you don’t have to live with oral pain. If you have a toothache or a major dental emergency, call (202) 723-2400 right away. We offer extended hours as needed and will do our best to get you treated immediately.
Do I need emergency dentistry? Call us if you experience any of the following:
- A toothache that persists even after you brush, rinse and floss
- A tooth that gets knocked out
- An injury to your gum, cheek or tongue that won’t stop bleeding
- A break or loss of your braces
- A chipped tooth that is significant, cracked or your tooth is in pieces
- A lost filling or crown
- A loose tooth
- A dental abscess
Reasons for Needing an Emergency Dental Visit
The American Dental Association reports that the number one cause of adult tooth damage every year is playing sports. And while many adults don’t have the time to play for an organized league, even a backyard game of basketball can lead to a tooth being damaged or knocked out. The same holds true for kids playing sports throughout the 20012 area. There are ways to protect yourself while playing sports, like wearing a mouth guard, but when an emergency strikes call (202) 723-2400.
Car accidents are another leading cause of tooth injury. While the enamel on your teeth is strong, it may not be strong enough to prevent your tooth from breaking when colliding with a steering wheel. We recommend that patients who are involved in an accident first get treated at a local emergency room for any major injuries, and then call Premier Dental Care for an appointment. The emergency room does not treat tooth damage, so you will need to see both types of medical providers.
Severe and sudden toothaches are another reason people end up needing an emergency dentist. Dr. Hines is an expert at finding the cause of tooth pain, whether it’s a little cavity that grew into a big one, or gum disease that’s causing the gum line to recede, leaving the tooth and roots exposed. Both can lead to intense pain and require emergency treatment. We don’t want patients of Premier Dental Care to experience oral pain and will do our best to treat you right away.
If a tooth infection is left untreated for a long period of time, it can lead to a dental abscess, an extremely painful and major tooth infection that can settle into your jawbone and the floor of your mouth. If that happens, oral surgery may be necessary in order to remove the infection. We can let you know if we see an abscess during your dental exam with Dr. Hines.
How can I relieve dental pain while waiting for an emergency dental appointment?
We want our patients to be comfortable and pain-free. If you come into our Premier Dental Care offices in pain, we will work quickly to identify both the cause of the issue and treatment options available for dealing with it. Often, we will also prescribe medication to help with the pain and prevent you from feeling discomfort while your tooth is being treated and at home. You may also want to apply a cold compress or ice pack to the area in order to reduce or prevent swelling.
