Emergency Dental Care for Children in Arlington, VA
When your child has a dental emergency, every minute matters. Call us immediately — we reserve time for same-day emergency appointments.
We’re Here When Your Child Needs Us Most
A dental emergency is one of the most stressful things a parent can face — especially when your child is in pain or distress. At Children’s Dentistry of Arlington, we understand that emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours, and we do everything we can to see your child as quickly as possible.
Dr. O and his team are experienced in handling all types of pediatric dental emergencies — from knocked-out teeth to severe toothaches to broken braces. Our calm, child-friendly approach means your child will be in gentle, expert hands from the moment they arrive.
Call us immediately. If it’s after hours, leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies We Treat
A knocked-out permanent tooth is a true dental emergency. Time is critical — call us immediately and follow our first aid steps below.
A chipped or fractured tooth can be painful and needs prompt attention to prevent further damage or infection.
Sudden, intense tooth pain in a child is never normal. It may indicate infection, abscess, or advanced decay that needs immediate treatment.
A dental abscess is a serious infection that can spread if untreated. Signs include swelling, fever, and severe pain. Call us right away.
Cuts or injuries to the lips, tongue, cheeks, or gums from a fall or accident may need prompt dental evaluation.
A lost filling or crown can expose sensitive tooth structure and cause pain. We can usually see you the same day.
Impact injuries during sports can affect teeth, jaw, and soft tissue. Even if it looks minor, have Dr. O evaluate it promptly.
Swelling around the jaw, cheek, or neck related to a tooth can indicate a serious infection. Seek care immediately.
First Aid Guide — What to Do Before You Call Us
While you’re calling our office, here’s what to do for the most common pediatric dental emergencies:
- 1 Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (the white part) — never touch the root.
- 2 If dirty, gently rinse with clean water for 10 seconds. Do not scrub or use soap.
- 3 Try to reinsert the tooth into the socket if possible. Have your child hold it in place by biting gently on a clean cloth.
- 4 If reinsertion isn’t possible, store the tooth in milk or between your child’s cheek and gum — never in water.
- 5 Call us immediately and come in within 30 minutes. Time is critical for saving a knocked-out tooth.
- 1 Rinse your child’s mouth gently with warm water.
- 2 Save any broken tooth fragments if possible and bring them with you.
- 3 Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth to reduce swelling.
- 4 Give children’s pain reliever if needed for discomfort.
- 5 Call us to book a same-day appointment.
- 1 Rinse your child’s mouth with warm saltwater.
- 2 Check for any food lodged between teeth and gently floss.
- 3 Give children’s pain reliever (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) as directed.
- 4 Do not place aspirin directly on the tooth or gum — this can cause chemical burns.
- 5 Call us — severe toothache in children always needs prompt evaluation.
- 1 Clean the area gently with a clean cloth or gauze.
- 2 Apply firm but gentle pressure with gauze to control bleeding.
- 3 Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
- 4 If bleeding doesn’t stop within 15 minutes, go to the emergency room.
- 5 Call us to evaluate any associated tooth or jaw injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
We do our best to see dental emergencies the same day — often within hours of your call. We reserve time in our schedule specifically for urgent situations. Call us as soon as possible at (703) 634-9450 and we will get your child in as quickly as we can.
Call our office at (703) 634-9450 and leave a message — we will return your call as quickly as possible. For life-threatening emergencies such as difficulty breathing, severe bleeding that won’t stop, or major trauma, call 911 or go directly to your nearest emergency room.
For dental-specific emergencies like a knocked-out tooth, broken tooth, or toothache, call a dentist first — ERs are not equipped to provide dental treatment and can only manage pain. For emergencies involving serious injury, difficulty breathing, or severe swelling of the jaw or neck, go to the ER immediately.
Most dental insurance plans and Medicaid cover emergency dental visits. Coverage varies by plan and by the treatment required. Call us at (703) 634-9450 and our team will verify your coverage before or at the time of your visit.
A knocked-out baby tooth is different from a permanent tooth — we do not reimplant baby teeth as it can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. However, you should still call us so Dr. O can evaluate the area for other injuries and advise on next steps. Do not try to reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth.
Many dental emergencies can be prevented with the right precautions — wearing a custom mouth guard during sports, keeping up with regular checkups to catch problems early, and childproofing your home to prevent falls. Ask Dr. O about a custom sports mouth guard for your young athlete.