Emergency Dental in Washington D. C.

Preserve Your Health and Appearance With Emergency Care

Am I Experiencing a Dental Emergency?

What to Do During a Dental Emergency

The first step to resolving your dental emergency is to not panic. There are solutions for your dental concerns!

If you have suffered blunt trauma to the face, are worried about broken bones, or have severe bleeding, visit the nearest emergency room and receive urgent medical care.

In most cases, we recommend that you:

The first step is if you think you are having any kind of dental emergency, call our office for same-day care and a phone consultation. Even if you aren’t experiencing a dental emergency, we can get you resources and instructions on what to do.

For things like swollen cheeks or gums or a toothache, you can gargle salt water and take NSAIDs. If you have lost a tooth or a restoration, keep any pieces possible, and put any parts of your tooth that you have in milk.

Make sure you arrive on time to your same-day or next-day appointment. We will quickly focus on alleviating pain that you might be experiencing, and then we can address your dental emergency and discuss any underlying causes.

We recommend follow-up appointments, so we can address the overall impact to your health and smile, as well as create a health plan for any underlying oral health concerns that may be related to your dental emergency.

At Home Tips for Dental Emergencies

When a dental emergency happens, simple at-home steps can help you stay comfortable and protect your teeth until you’re able to see a provider. While these tips aren’t substitutes for professional care, they can make a meaningful difference in preventing further irritation or injury.

Gently rinse with warm salt water to soothe irritation and clear away debris. Over-the-counter pain relievers may help reduce discomfort, but avoid placing aspirin directly on the gums.

Apply a cold compress on the outside of your cheek in 10- to 15-minute intervals to help reduce inflammation.

Save any pieces you can find and keep them in a clean container. Avoid chewing on that side and cover any sharp edges with orthodontic wax if you have it.

You can place a small amount of dental wax or temporary dental cement (found at most pharmacies) over the area to prevent sensitivity.

Handle the tooth by the crown, never the root. Rinse gently if dirty, and place it back in the socket if possible. If not, store it in a cup of milk or saliva to help keep the tooth viable.

Use dental floss or a water flosser to gently remove it—never use sharp objects, as these can damage the gums.

Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a damp tea bag until the bleeding slows.

Why We Recommend Treating Your Dental Emergency Quickly

Treating your dental emergency quickly preserves your oral health by reducing the impact of your dental emergency on your teeth, gums, and overall wellness. If left untreated, dental infections can spread to other parts of your smile or your body, leaving you with an increased likelihood for sepsis and a compromised immune system. Dental emergencies are also tooth-saving, meaning that many times, with treatment, we can avoid pulling or replacing a tooth. Keeping your natural teeth is essential for your smile’s well-being.

It also maintains your physical appearance to get emergency dental care, by treating chips, loose or missing teeth, or cracks. We know all of these things can affect how you feel about yourself and your smile, which is why we take them seriously, as part of a dental emergency. If a tooth has been damaged, contact us for help in restoring and repairing your tooth and your smile’s good looks.

Take Advantage of Our Same-Day Appointments

Our same-day appointments allow you to take a weight off your chest and experience the benefits of emergency dental care quickly, so you can go back to living your best life, whether that be eating out with friends, joining a meeting, or enjoying our beautiful city. 

Your smile and how you feel shouldn’t be out of commission for long. We can see you within 24 hours in many cases.

Why Choose DentalPolitan for Dental Emergency Treatments?

DentalPolitan is led by Dr. Kumar, who loves to help patients smile and feel their best, even during a surprise dental visit. Our office is a cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry practice in Washington, D.C. that offers:

Same-day appointments for the ultimate convenience and urgent care

A welcoming team that helps you stay calm, even during dental emergencies

Sedation dentistry, including nitrous oxide, to help you relax through procedures

A highly trained dentist who focuses on the whole picture of your wellness

A comfortable office in a convenient location

A variety of dental treatments, so no matter your dental emergency, we can offer solutions

We welcome you for routine appointments, appointments outside of your regular 6-month checkups, and emergency appointments. If you are worried about something with your smile, don’t wait until a regular appointment with us to ask! Call us for help or an appointment.

In Pain? Don’t Wait to Call