What to Do in a Dental Emergency: A Guide for Arlington, VA Residents

A dental emergency can strike when you least expect it. During a family meal, at a weekend sports game, or even when you’re just enjoying a snack. It’s a stressful moment, especially when pain or injury is involved. Knowing how to respond calmly and correctly can make all the difference in preserving your oral health and easing discomfort.

If you’re in Arlington, VA and facing a dental emergency, this guide will help you know what steps to take and how Dr. Lynn M. Farrey and his compassionate team are here to support you when time matters most.

Understanding What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency

Not every dental concern requires urgent care, but some situations shouldn't wait. Recognizing the signs of a true dental emergency will help you act quickly and prevent complications. At our locally rooted, high-tech practice, we frequently help patients navigate these situations with timely and reassuring care. Common dental emergencies include:

• Severe toothache or persistent pain
• Knocked-out or dislodged tooth
• Cracked or broken tooth with sharp edges or exposed nerves
• Swollen face or gums potentially related to an infection
• Lost dental filling, crown, or restoration causing discomfort
• Bleeding that won’t stop after a dental procedure or injury

If you're unsure whether your situation qualifies, a quick phone call to our office at (703) 527-1724 can help determine the next steps.

Immediate Steps to Take Before You Reach the Dentist

While it's important to see a dental professional right away, what you do in the moments following an emergency can impact your outcome. Our team shares these suggestions with patients to help them stay prepared:

• Tooth Knocked Out: Handle the tooth by the crown (top), not the root. Gently rinse it with water if dirty, and try to place it back in the socket. If that’s not possible, store it in milk and get to the office immediately.
• Severe Toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water and use dental floss to remove any trapped food. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gums.
• Cracked Tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water and place a cold compress on the outside of your face to minimize swelling.
• Lost Crown or Filling: If a crown falls off, keep it safe and bring it with you. Over-the-counter dental cement can be used temporarily.

Knowing how to handle these situations can be reassuring, especially when dental emergencies involve your children. Our office welcomes patients of all ages, making it easier for families to receive consistent, thoughtful care in one place.

How Dr. Farrey’s Office Handles Dental Emergencies

When an emergency call comes in, we treat it with the same urgency and personal care as we would for members of our own family. Dr. Lynn M. Farrey’s practice is equipped with advanced technology, including digital imaging and same-day solutions like CEREC crowns, which allow us to diagnose and treat many dental emergencies in one visit.

Whether it’s a cracked tooth or a severe infection, our experienced team prioritizes patient comfort and safety. Because emergencies don’t always happen during business hours, we also offer guidance by phone, helping patients make informed decisions even before they arrive at the office.

Our small-town approach means patients aren’t just squeezed into a schedule, they're cared for with intention and understanding. That’s part of our commitment to building lifelong relationships, even in the most urgent circumstances.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

While not all dental mishaps can be avoided, staying proactive with your oral health can go a long way. Prevention is always part of our care philosophy at Lynn M. Farrey, D.D.S. Here are some effective ways to minimize your risk:

• Maintain regular dental checkups every six months to catch issues early.
• Wear a mouthguard when participating in contact sports or high-risk activities.
• Avoid chewing hard foods like ice and unpopped popcorn kernels.
• Address any dental discomfort promptly before it turns into a bigger problem.

Routine care in our modern, brand-new office provides a comfortable environment for patients of all ages. We help families maintain healthy smiles and avoid the disruption that a sudden emergency can cause.

Need Emergency Dental Care in Arlington, VA? Contact Us Today

If you or a loved one is experiencing a dental emergency, don’t wait, call (703) 527-1724 to speak with Dr. Farrey’s caring team. We’re here to guide you through every step with calm, professional care in a setting that combines advanced dental technology with heart. Whether it’s your first visit or you’ve been part of our dental family for years, you can count on us when it matters most.