Your teeth are among the strongest parts of your body, but they are not indestructible. Far from it! A fall, a collision, or any number of other accidents can result in a chipped or broken tooth. If it happens to you or a loved one, contact us at The Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria VA for emergency treatment right away.
If a tooth chips or breaks, it may not hurt. It’s a serious matter, but if it doesn’t hurt it doesn’t usually require immediate attention. Even if there isn’t any pain, you’re probably going to feel some sharp edges with your tongue. It’s important that you avoid that area when you chew, because chewing might chip it some more. We may be able to smooth out the chip and repair any damage with composite filling.
If your tooth is giving you pain, call us immediately. There could be a serious crack or fracture, with accompanying damage to the inside of the tooth. The sooner you get into the office, the better. In severe cases it is not always possible to save the tooth.
There are some things you can do before you get to the office:
- Clean your mouth thoroughly with warm water, swished gently
- Apply a cold compress to your face to minimize swelling
- Take a pain reliever with acetaminophen – don’t take aspirin. Brands with acetaminophen include Tylenol, Alka-Seltzer Plus, and NyQuil, and there are many others.
- Once you’re here, we will probably take an X-ray. If there is damage to the tooth’s pulp a root canal may be in order. If not, bonding or a crown may be enough to fix you up.
If you have a chipped or broken tooth, take nothing for granted, even if there is no pain. At The Center for Dental Anesthesia in Alexandria VA, we treat serious cases with emergency dentistry nearly every day. People from Northern Virgina, Fairfax, and Prince William County also trust us with family and cosmetic dentistry. Contact us today!
Contact Center for Dental Anesthesia:
703-379-6400
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
5284 Dawes Ave
Alexandria, Virginia
22311
