Dental Emergencies in New Market, Virginia

If you find yourself in a dental emergency, the first step is to remain calm and assess the situation. Here are some general guidelines to follow:


• For severe pain or swelling, take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed and apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek to reduce discomfort and inflammation.
• If a tooth is chipped, cracked, or fractured, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling. Save any broken tooth fragments if possible.
• If a tooth is knocked out, hold it by the crown (the white part) and rinse it gently with water if it’s dirty. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, try to reinsert the tooth into its socket and hold it in place with gauze or a clean cloth. If you can’t reinsert the tooth, place it in a container of milk or saliva and bring it with you to the dental office.
• If you lose a filling, crown, or bridge, try to save the restoration if possible. You can temporarily cover the exposed tooth with dental cement or sugar-free gum until you can see Dr. Briggs.
• For soft tissue injuries, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply pressure with a clean cloth or gauze to control bleeding. After taking these initial steps, contact Briggs Family Dental right away to schedule an emergency appointment. Our team will provide further instructions and do everything we can to see you as soon as possible.