What Do I Do if I Lose a Tooth?

October 3, 2017

Hand with a knocked out toothIt can happen in the blink of an eye. One minute you’re perfectly safe having a great day, and the next you feel a tooth fly out of your mouth. Usually, that feeling is preceded by an impact or bite into something hard, but still, losing a permanent tooth typically comes as a shock. Keep reading to learn more about how to respond if you lose a tooth or experience other dental emergencies.

Step 1 – Take a Breath

We know an accident or injury that leads to a knocked out tooth can be really stressful or frightening, but it’s important you stay calm. Take a few breaths, and give your dentist a call. A good dentist will have a team member available to help walk patients through first aid and pain management over the phone. This will help you stay calm and get the emergency dental help you need.

Step 2 – Retrieve the Tooth

Once you’ve calmed down a bit, look for your tooth. When you find it, handle it by the crown (top of the tooth) rather than the roots. Look over the tooth to see if it’s broken or damaged. You want to make sure there is not a piece of tooth missing or still in the socket.

Step 3 – Clean the Area & Knocked Out Tooth

Holding the tooth by the crown, you can run cool water over it to remove any dirt or debris, but do not brush or rub the tooth as any remaining soft tissue is essential to the reattachment process. Then, rinse out your mouth with cool water. If the vacated socket is bleeding heavily, you can bite down on clean gauze or cloth to stop the flow of blood. An ice pack applied at 20 minute intervals (20 on /20 off) will also help to slow the bleeding.

Step 4 – Replace the Tooth in its Socket

If the entire tooth is knocked loose and there are no small pieces of tooth remaining in the socket, you should be able to return the tooth to its original socket. Once in place, bite down on gauze or clean cloth to hold the tooth in position.

Step 5 – Store the Tooth if You’re Unable to Replace It

If for any reason you cannot safely or comfortably return the tooth to its socket, you can store it in a container filled with water or whole milk. This will keep the tooth moist and protect any remaining soft tissue that’s attached to the knocked out tooth. If you’re comfortable doing so, you can also place the tooth between your cheek and gums in order to keep it in a more natural state.

Meet Dr. Javeed

At the Virginia Beach dental office of Astra Javeed, DMD, we’re here to help whenever patients need us most. Whether you lose a tooth on Monday morning or Saturday night, we’ll do our utmost to see you right away. Contact the Smile Care Family Dentistry team anytime you need us for emergency dental care. From toothaches to facial trauma, we’ll do our utmost to relieve pain and get a smile back on your face right away.

Virginia Beach Dentist Provides All the Services Your Family Needs

February 12, 2017

Filed under: Preventive Dentistry — Tags: , — dr_javeed @ 7:16 pm

Virginia Beach dentist Dr. Javeed offers comprehensive servicesIf you’ve been searching for a dentist that can take care of your family’s smiles and accepts Humana dental insurance, then your search ends here. Smile Care Family Dentistry is pleased to offer a wide range of dentistry services so you can find everything you need under one roof. Whether you are bringing in your son or daughter for their very first visit or you need to see Virginia Beach dentist Dr. Javeed for a dental filling or crown, you can be certain the treatment you receive will be provided expertly and compassionately.

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Virginia Beach Dentist Discusses Mouthwashes

September 13, 2016

Filed under: Family Dentistry — Tags: — dr_javeed @ 3:01 am

Your Virginia Beach dentist explains mouthwashes.Mouthwashes are well known for giving us minty fresh breath, but did you know that certain mouthwashes offer additional benefits other than just fresh breath? Did you also know that not all mouthwashes are the same? While many often believe that mouthwashes only provide fresh breath, certain mouthwashes can protect your oral health and even prevent certain complications. But, which mouthwash is the best? As your Virginia Beach dentist, we are here to clear the air about mouthwashes. We have everything you need to know to choose the best mouthwash for your specific needs.
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Virginia Beach Dentist Dr. Javeed Talks When Is the Right Time to Floss?

July 6, 2016

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — dr_javeed @ 7:45 pm

virginia beach dentistWe’ve all heard that flossing is an important part of oral hygiene, but how often should you be flossing? If you’re flossing regularly, are you flossing correctly? While flossing may seem pretty self-explanatory, there are simple aspects you may be overlooking that are placing your oral health at risk. As your Virginia Beach dentist, Smile Care Family Dentistry has everything you need to know about flossing properly. With the proper care, you’ll protect your smile from damage.
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Need Dentures or Dental Implants in Virginia Beach?

December 30, 2015


dental implants richmond
Missing one or more teeth and trying to decide on the best replacement option? Knowing which one is right for you isn’t easy, but Dr. Asra Javeed at Smile Care Family Dentistry is here to help. Let’s start with two of the most popular choices: dentures and dental implants in Virginia Beach. What’s the difference, really? And which might be better for you? Keep reading to find out the answers to these questions, and more.

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