What to do in a Dental Emergency - Dr. Audrey Maiurano, DDS

Having a Medical Emergency?

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Having a Dental Emergency?

In the event of a dental emergency, please call the office at (703) 455-5555 and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. If the office is closed and you are experiencing pain that is not alleviated by over-the-counter pain relievers, please listen to the automated recording when calling the office and select the appropriate option to reach Dr. Maiurano's emergency number. Dr. Maiurano will try to get back to you as soon as she can with instructions.

Common Dental Emergencies

Below are common dental emergencies and steps you can take to address them before seeing a dentist:

Knocked-Out Tooth
Broken Fillings or Crowns
Broken Teeth
Broken Partials or Dentures

Knocked-Out Tooth

A knocked-out tooth is a serious dental emergency that requires immediate attention. Follow these steps to increase the chances of saving the tooth:

If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with water. Avoid scrubbing the tooth or touching the root.
Attempt to place the tooth back into its socket gently. Do not force it.
If reinsertion is not possible, store the tooth in one of the following solutions:

Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (ideal, if available).
Milk, which can preserve the tooth’s viability for a short period.
Water with a pinch of salt, as a last resort.

Contact the office immediately. Time is critical—teeth have the best chance of being saved if treated by a dentist within one hour of the injury.

Broken Fillings or Crowns

If a filling or crown breaks or falls out, follow these steps:

Contact the office as soon as possible to schedule a repair appointment.
If you have the dislodged crown, clean it and bring it with you to your visit.
Avoid chewing on the affected side to prevent further damage.

Broken Teeth

A broken or chipped tooth can be painful and may cause further complications if not treated. Here’s what to do:

Rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean the area.
If bleeding occurs, bite down gently on clean gauze or a cloth for 10-15 minutes to control it.
Avoid biting down on hard foods or objects to prevent further damage.
Call the office as soon as possible to address the issue and avoid complications.

Broken Partials or Dentures

Broken dentures or partials can be uncomfortable and may require professional repair:

Do not attempt to wear broken dentures, as this can cause injury to your mouth.
Call the office to schedule an appointment. Be sure to describe the damage in detail when you call so we can prepare accordingly.
Bring all the broken pieces to your appointment. This will help in the repair process.
For more extensive repairs, dentures may need to be sent to a laboratory. This process can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on the extent of the damage.

Additional Tips for Managing Pain and Discomfort

While waiting for your appointment, you can manage pain and swelling with the following tips:

Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed (unless contraindicated for your health conditions).
Apply a cold compress to the affected area for 10-15 minutes to reduce swelling.
Avoid hot or cold foods and beverages that could worsen sensitivity.