No one expects to find themselves in the midst of a dental emergency, but when one occurs, it usually demands immediate expert care. That’s why Harry Squire, DDS, and the team at Chesapeake Family and Implant Dentistry in Chesapeake, Virginia, provide as-needed urgent care to patients of all ages who need prompt treatment for a dental emergency. If you or a family member experiences an urgent dental problem, call the office to discuss the next steps or set up a same-day visit.

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When is a dental problem an emergency?

Any acute or severe oral pain, injury, trauma, or problem that you can’t successfully relieve, resolve, or manage by yourself should be considered a dental emergency. Dr. Squire and his team treat all types of urgent dental issues right in their office, including: 

  • Acute tooth or gum pain 
  • Sudden, severe tooth sensitivity
  • Swollen gums or oral lacerations
  • Broken, cracked, or chipped teeth
  • Loosened or knocked-out tooth 
  • Loose or lost crowns or fillings

Dental emergencies can be painful and inconvenient. Luckily, the team at Chesapeake Family and Implant Dentistry makes time to see patients who need care quickly. If you have a dental emergency during regular hours, call the office right away — Dr. Squire provides same-day visits for urgent care needs whenever possible. 

For serious dental problems that occur outside of normal hours, go directly to your local urgent care center or emergency room for prompt care.

How should I handle a knocked-out tooth?

When a permanent adult tooth is accidentally knocked out of its socket, immediate care can mean the difference between saving that tooth or having to replace it with an artificial tooth. 

After lightly rinsing the tooth, you can try to gently set it back in its socket to keep it moist. Don’t push it down with too much force, however, as doing so can damage the delicate tissues required for future reattachment.

If you don’t like the idea of holding your tooth in your mouth — or if it’s your child’s tooth and you’re worried they might swallow it — you can keep the tooth moist in a small container of milk or saliva. The most important thing is to keep it moist until you get to the office.

How should I care for a broken tooth?

If you’ve accidentally cracked, chipped, or broken a tooth, you can begin immediate injury care by gently rinsing your mouth with lukewarm water. Use an ice pack or cold compress to help with any swelling, and take ibuprofen or acetaminophen if you’re in significant pain. 

Then, call the office to schedule a same-day urgent care appointment. Once you’re in the dental chair, Dr. Squire can assess the extent of your dental trauma and figure out the right treatment approach.

If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call Chesapeake Family and Implant Dentistry for a same-day appointment as soon as possible.