Get Urgent Dental Care in Virginia Beach
If you need emergency dental care, call Coastal General Dentistry at 757-216-9914. If you’ve had a serious injury or accident, we suggest going to a hospital first to make sure you’re safe before visiting our office. Emergency dental care can stop more serious problems from happening. That’s why it’s part of general dentistry. Getting care quickly can stop infections from spreading or prevent further damage to your teeth.
Contact us for urgent dental care in Virginia Beach, VA. Dr. Reichley and our team are here to help. Feel free to ask us any questions about your symptoms or dental treatments.
Emergency Dental Problems
We treat a variety of urgent dental issues, including:
- Toothaches: Do you have ongoing tooth pain or sudden sensitivity? Toothaches can be caused by many things, like tooth decay or enamel damage. When you visit us, we’ll check your teeth and other symptoms to find the right treatment for you.
- Knocked-Out Tooth: If you’ve lost a permanent tooth, pick it up by the crown, rinse it with cold water, and place it inside your cheek to keep it moist. This helps increase the chance we can reattach it. You can also try gently putting the tooth back in its socket and bite down softly.
- Bitten Tongue or Lip: If you’ve bitten your tongue or lip, clean the area with a wet cloth. Place a cold compress on the area to reduce swelling. Call our office if the bleeding won’t stop or if there’s too much bleeding.
- Broken or Lost Filling: If your filling has fallen out or broken, don’t try to fix it on your own. Call us to schedule an appointment, and we’ll create a safe replacement for you. We may give you a temporary filling until we can place the final one.
- Object Stuck Between Teeth: If something is stuck between your teeth, gently floss to try to remove it. If it doesn’t come out, call us for help. Don’t use any sharp objects to remove it, as this can hurt your teeth.
- Excessive Bleeding: After oral surgery, it’s normal to have some bleeding. However, if bleeding continues for days, even after using gauze, contact us right away.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about handling dental emergencies:
What Should I Do If My Jaw Is Broken?
If you have a serious injury like a broken jaw or a deep facial cut, go to the nearest emergency room right away. Once you’re treated, call us for a same-day visit to address any dental issues and help restore your smile.
How Can I Reduce Swelling?
Swelling is common with dental emergencies. You can place a cold compress on the outside of your cheek for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off to bring down the swelling. Rinsing with salt water can also help with inflammation and prevent infection. If needed, take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen.
Should I Be Worried If My Tooth Is Sensitive?
If your teeth are sensitive, try using toothpaste for sensitive teeth to strengthen your enamel. If the sensitivity is from something more serious, like gum disease, schedule an appointment right away to prevent further damage.
What Should I Include in My Emergency Dental Kit?
It’s a good idea to have an emergency dental kit at home and in your car. Here’s what to include:
Essentials for Pain and Swelling:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen are good choices.
- Clove oil or Orajel: A natural numbing agent for toothaches (apply a drop to the affected area).
- Cold compress: A small, reusable ice pack to reduce swelling.
Supplies for Injuries and Lost Fillings:
- Sterile gauze pads: To control bleeding from cuts or knocked-out teeth.
- Temporary dental filling material: Found at most pharmacies, this helps protect exposed areas of a tooth.
- Orthodontic wax: Covers sharp wires or brackets if you have braces.
Hygiene and Tooth Preservation:
- Salt packets or saline solution: To rinse your mouth and keep the area clean.
- Dental floss: Removes trapped food or debris.
- Tooth preservation kit: If a tooth gets knocked out, this helps keep it viable for reimplantation (follow the kit’s instructions). Milk or saline solution can also work in a pinch.
Other Helpful Items:
- Dental mirror and flashlight: To examine hard-to-see areas.
- Disposable latex-free gloves: To maintain hygiene when dealing with injuries.
- Small container with lid: To store a knocked-out tooth.
- Our office’s contact information
Keep in mind that this kit is for temporary relief. Always seek professional dental care as soon as possible after an emergency. Be sure to keep your kit in a cool, dry place and check expiration dates regularly. Talk to your dentist for personalized recommendations if you have specific dental concerns or conditions.
Schedule an Appointment
If you need emergency dental care, call our office at 757-216-9914. You can also request an appointment online if it’s not an emergency. Dr. Reichley and our team are ready to help when you need us most.