Emergency Dentistry
Dentistry can’t always be scheduled, sometimes the need for emergency dentistry services arise. When they do, we will work to restore your smile as quickly as possible so that you can put the pain and the injury behind you. If you have a dental emergency, call our Germantown office right away.
Emergency Dentistry in Germantown, MD
Dental issues and accidents can happen at any time. Sometimes, they require immediate treatment; when that is the case, we’re here to help. If you need emergency dentistry services in Germantown, MD, please contact us at 301-916-8570 for a same-day appointment. If outside our office hours:
- Monday and Wednesday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday and Thursday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
If we are unable to answer the phone, please leave a message, and we will return your call as soon as possible.
At Suburban Dental, our team is experienced and knowledgeable and we know that dealing with a dental emergency is never easy, but we are here to get you comfortable as quickly as possible. We offer affordable, emergency dental care that will get you back to feeling your best as soon as possible.
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How Can I Manage Toothache Pain Before my Emergency Visit?
If you’re hoping to minimize pain from a toothache, you can try the following home remedies:
- Saline rinse. Mix 1/2 to 3/4 tsp of salt in a glass of warm water, swish and gargle the mixture for one minute, and then use mouthwash.
- Apply ice. Apply a cold compress on/near the area of pain.
- Pain medication. Use over-the-counter medication to reduce inflammation and pain.
- Teabags. Apply a cold or warm tea bag to your tooth—but tea can stain teeth so don’t use this method too much.
Cost of a Dental Emergency
Dental emergencies follow the same payment procedures as normal dental practices. That means that dental insurance and dental savings plan memberships are just as relevant for emergency dental care as they are for a regular checkup. At Suburban Dental in Germantown, MD we accept many major insurance providers and external payment plan providers. The cost of an emergency exam is:
$0 with many insurance plans
$98 for the uninsured
Common Questions About Emergency Dentistry
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What is a dental emergency?
There are several types of dental emergencies. Dental emergencies can consist of a sudden and severe toothache, an accident that chips or cracks a tooth, a damaged or loose restoration, or a lost or damaged tooth. About 22 percent of people have experienced dental or oral pain in the last six months. To know if your situation is an emergency, ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you in severe pain or experiencing severe swelling?
- Do you have a painful toothache that will not subside?
- Do you have a loose or knocked-out tooth?
- Do you have swelling in your cheeks or face in combination with a toothache?
- Are you experiencing extreme tooth sensitivity?
- Are you bleeding from the mouth that will not stop?
- Is your jaw injured?
In general, any dental problem that needs immediate treatment to stop bleeding, alleviate severe pain, or save a tooth is considered an emergency. This consideration also applies to severe infections that can be life-threatening and constitute contacting your dental office.
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What should I do if I have a knocked out tooth?
Don’t touch the roots or top of the tooth. The roots of your teeth are delicate, only pick up and handle your lost tooth by the sides and chewing surface.
Clean the tooth gently. You can use water or milk to gently rinse the tooth. Do not try to rub, scrub, dry off, or use soaps or chemicals to clean your lost tooth.
Put the tooth back in the socket, if possible.Once gently cleaned you should try to gently replace the tooth, handling only the sides and bottom. Once replaced you can softly bite down to keep it there. Make sure your tooth is oriented properly and not backward. Do not try to force it if it won’t fit properly.
If you can’t put it back, keep it moist. Putting the tooth in a glass of milk to soak is a great option. Alternately you can softly hold the tooth between your gums and cheek. Though this shouldn’t be done with younger children who could swallow the tooth. Don’t use tap water to soak a knocked-out tooth because it could damage the roots. If you don’t have cow's milk and can’t hold your tooth in its socket or in your cheek, spitting into a container and soaking the tooth in saliva is the next best option.
Call a dentist. Getting to a dentist as quickly as possible is critical. It is possible to reattach a tooth an hour or more after it has been knocked out. However but the sooner you can see a dentist the better the chances are of reattaching it.
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What if I have a chipped or cracked tooth?
If you have a chipped or cracked tooth, contact your dentist right away. Chipped teeth that aren’t painful can usually be smoothed out or filled in at a regular dental appointment. A cracked tooth typically indicates that there’s damage to the inside of the tooth, as well as the outside. If your tooth is cracked please follow these steps, after contacting your dentist.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water
- Apply a cold compress to minimize swelling
- Take over-the-counter medication to alleviate pain
Do NOT apply any pain medication—including Orajel—directly to the gums, as it can damage gum tissue
Your Germantown, MD Emergency Dentists
Dr. Patrick Kuhns
Dr. Kuhns is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. He travels extensively, continuing his education, to ensure he always has the most up-to-date knowledge of what modern dentistry has to offer his patients.
Dr. Stephen Tigani
Dr. Stephen Tigani has worked in orthodontics for over fifteen years and believes there's no cookie-cutter approach to dentistry, with each patient needing treatment and care tailored uniquely for them. A graduate of both Columbia and Georgetown Universities with three decades of general dentistry experience, you can have full confidence in the care Dr. Tigani provides.
Dr. Matthew Yarmosky
Dr. Matthew Yarmosky customizes each treatment plan according to his patients' unique needs. A strong believer in patient-first and education-based dentistry, Dr. Yarmosky is committed to helping each patient achieve the best oral health of their life.
Ready to Schedule or Have More Questions?
Navigating a dental emergency isn't easy. We're here to help. We leave time in our schedule to help patients who need care urgently so that we can give you relief with as little wait time as possible. If you call or contact our office we are always happy to answer questions.