Are You Experiencing a Dental Emergency?
Call 301-588-5400 Today!
When a toothache or dental problem strikes, you don’t want to be left sitting at home while you wait for an appointment to open up. That’s why our team keeps time in the schedule for emergency appointments: so you don’t have to wait several days to be seen.
At Silver Spring Smiles, you will always be treated with compassion and understanding. When you come in for a same-day emergency appointment, we will take x-rays and examine your teeth to determine the cause of your pain. Before we treat you, we will provide a written treatment plan, and inform you of your options, including the predicted costs of suggested procedures.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, call us now at 301-588-5400 for a same-day dental appointment. Whether you are a new or returning patient, we always keep time in our schedule for emergencies.
End Your Dental Pain Today
Dental pain comes in many forms and should always prompt you to make a trip to the dentist. Often, a toothache will start small and escalate until it becomes unbearable. Sometimes, a tooth will crack or fracture when you bite down on something hard, such as a popcorn kernel. Many patients accidentally dislodge a crown or other dental work in the course of their lives. In these cases, you may experience sudden, severe pain or sensitivity when you bite down on a tooth. In all of these cases, you should consider the situation urgent, as only a dentist can help you resolve the problem.
Even if your toothache goes away on its own, however, this does not mean the problem is solved. Teeth do not have any self-healing mechanisms, as other parts of the body do, so dental problems will only worsen if they are neglected.
Common Dental Emergencies
Some of the most common dental emergencies include:
- Broken or damaged dental work
- Toothache
- A knocked-out tooth
- Sore, swollen gums
- Foreign object stuck between teeth and gums
Toothaches can indicate a crack or fracture in a tooth, but they most commonly occur when tooth decay is present. Cavities start small, but when they become deep enough, they can reach the portion of the tooth that contains nerve endings and other living tissues. When this happens, the tooth will continue to decay unless treated with a filling and/or root canal treatment.
If the tooth with a toothache goes untreated for too long, it may wind up with too much damage for us to restore it. In those cases, the only treatment is a tooth extraction. No one wants to lose a tooth, so it’s always best to see a dentist as quickly as possible when pain alerts you of a problem.
Children Dental Emergencies
Tooth decay in children can worsen or spread more quickly than in adults, since their teeth are smaller and their enamel is thinner. If you child complains of a toothache, look in your child’s mouth to make sure he or she does not have food stuck between the teeth, which can sometimes be painful. If you see a dark spot of discoloration on the tooth, this may indicate a cavity and you should bring your child in for an appointment as soon as possible.
A Knocked-Out Tooth
If you’ve had a tooth knocked out, first check to make sure you have no bleeding wounds that require medical treatment. If you have hit your head or have a cut or laceration that may require stitches, visit an urgent medical care facility first. Call us after you have been seen by a doctor.
If your knocked-out tooth is the only concern:
- Pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse the tooth with lukewarm water.
- Try reinserting the tooth and gently bite down.
- If the tooth can’t be reinserted, put the tooth in a small container of milk or saliva.
- Bite down on a clean, wet washcloth if you are bleeding from the gums.
- Bring the tooth to Silver Spring Smiles as soon as possible. Call us to let us know you are on the way!
It is sometimes possible to reinsert an avulsed tooth if the connective tissues are still present, so handle the tooth as little as possible. If we cannot put your tooth back into place, we will explain your tooth replacement options, so you can make an informed choice about how to proceed.
A Knocked-Out Baby Tooth
A lost baby tooth is not ordinarily considered an emergency situation, but you should make an appointment if your child has lost a baby tooth that wasn’t already loose. Prematurely lost baby teeth can make it difficult for children to chew and speak properly and cause issues later on with permanent teeth. It may be necessary to fit your child with a prosthetic tooth bridge until the permanent tooth grows in.
Do not try to replace a baby tooth that has been knocked out, as this may damage the gum tissue or the adult tooth growing in your child’s mouth.
Have a Dental Emergency? Call Us Today!
When a toothache or dental problem strikes, you don’t want to be left sitting at home while you wait for an appointment to open up. That’s why our team keeps time in the schedule for emergency appointments: so you don’t have to wait several days to be seen.
At Silver Spring Smiles, you will always be treated with compassion and understanding. When you come in for a same-day emergency appointment, we will take x-rays and examine your teeth to determine the cause of your pain. Before we treat you, we will provide a written treatment plan, and inform you of your options, including the predicted costs of suggested procedures.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, call us now at 301-588-5400 for a same-day dental appointment. Whether you are a new or returning patient, we always keep time in our schedule for emergencies.
End Your Dental Pain Today
Dental pain comes in many forms and should always prompt you to make a trip to the dentist. Often, a toothache will start small and escalate until it becomes unbearable. Sometimes, a tooth will crack or fracture when you bite down on something hard, such as a popcorn kernel. Many patients accidentally dislodge a crown or other dental work in the course of their lives. In these cases, you may experience sudden, severe pain or sensitivity when you bite down on a tooth. In all of these cases, you should consider the situation urgent, as only a dentist can help you resolve the problem.
Even if your toothache goes away on its own, however, this does not mean the problem is solved. Teeth do not have any self-healing mechanisms, as other parts of the body do, so dental problems will only worsen if they are neglected.
Common Dental Emergencies
Some of the most common dental emergencies include:
- Broken or damaged dental work
- Toothache
- A knocked-out tooth
- Sore, swollen gums
- Foreign object stuck between teeth and gums
Toothaches can indicate a crack or fracture in a tooth, but they most commonly occur when tooth decay is present. Cavities start small, but when they become deep enough, they can reach the portion of the tooth that contains nerve endings and other living tissues. When this happens, the tooth will continue to decay unless treated with a filling and/or root canal treatment.
If the tooth with a toothache goes untreated for too long, it may wind up with too much damage for us to restore it. In those cases, the only treatment is a tooth extraction. No one wants to lose a tooth, so it’s always best to see a dentist as quickly as possible when pain alerts you of a problem.
Children Dental Emergencies
Tooth decay in children can worsen or spread more quickly than in adults, since their teeth are smaller and their enamel is thinner. If you child complains of a toothache, look in your child’s mouth to make sure he or she does not have food stuck between the teeth, which can sometimes be painful. If you see a dark spot of discoloration on the tooth, this may indicate a cavity and you should bring your child in for an appointment as soon as possible.
A Knocked-Out Tooth
If you’ve had a tooth knocked out, first check to make sure you have no bleeding wounds that require medical treatment. If you have hit your head or have a cut or laceration that may require stitches, visit an urgent medical care facility first. Call us after you have been seen by a doctor.
If your knocked-out tooth is the only concern:
- Pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse the tooth with lukewarm water.
- Try reinserting the tooth and gently bite down.
- If the tooth can’t be reinserted, put the tooth in a small container of milk or saliva.
- Bite down on a clean, wet washcloth if you are bleeding from the gums.
- Bring the tooth to Silver Spring Smiles as soon as possible. Call us to let us know you are on the way!
It is sometimes possible to reinsert an avulsed tooth if the connective tissues are still present, so handle the tooth as little as possible. If we cannot put your tooth back into place, we will explain your tooth replacement options, so you can make an informed choice about how to proceed.
A Knocked-Out Baby Tooth
A lost baby tooth is not ordinarily considered an emergency situation, but you should make an appointment if your child has lost a baby tooth that wasn’t already loose. Prematurely lost baby teeth can make it difficult for children to chew and speak properly and cause issues later on with permanent teeth. It may be necessary to fit your child with a prosthetic tooth bridge until the permanent tooth grows in.
Do not try to replace a baby tooth that has been knocked out, as this may damage the gum tissue or the adult tooth growing in your child’s mouth.
