Same-Day Emergency Dentistry

In the event of a dental emergency, call Dr. Nishan Halim‘s Washington, DC office at 202-543-2020 to discuss your concerns and schedule an appointment right away. If you are calling after hours, will return your message as soon as possible and schedule your appointment for the next day.

Learn the answers to questions that many patients have about general dental care below:

Emergency Dentistry FAQ's

What do I do if I feel tooth pain?

Take over-the-counter pain medication to improve your symptoms and apply a cold compress to your jaw if you are experiencing swelling. Many cases of tooth pain are caused by a tooth or gum infection, which is why it is important to schedule an appointment in our office as soon as possible.

What do I do if my tooth is knocked out?

It’s crucial to make sure you don’t panic. Try to stay as calm as possible and attempt to find the lost tooth. If you can find your lost tooth, retrieve it and rinse it gently. Make sure you don’t try to scrub the tooth, as this can cause more damage. Place the tooth in a cup of saliva or milk for transport to our office to help preserve it. We may be able to reattach the tooth if it is preserved within one hour of loss.

At our office, we have multiple options for you to replace a missing tooth. We offer dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures to replace the missing tooth if it cannot be reattached. While dental implants are the recommended form of replacing a missing tooth, they may not be eligible for everyone. Dr. Halim will do a thorough oral examination and talk to you about your goals and budget. We ensure that we provide the best restoration for your unique case.

What do I do if my dental restorations breaks or falls out?

If your dental restoration breaks or falls, schedule an appointment at our office and bring the broken appliance with you. Dr. Halim will help determine the best treatment plan for replacing the appliance. He may recommend replacing the restoration altogether rather than trying to reattach it.

If it’s a dental crown that falls out, don’t try to put it back into your mouth at all, particularly with glue. Trying to replace the crown on your own can cause more damage and pain to your tooth. Save the crown material and bring it to your appointment. Most likely, you’ll get a new, custom-made dental crown. However, the dentist may want to examine the damaged crown to try to determine what caused the crown to fall out or become damaged.

What do I do if an object is stuck between my teeth?

Gently floss between your teeth to see if you can remove the object. Do not use any sharp objects as this can damage your teeth and gums. If you cannot remove the object, please contact our office for care.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can happen to anyone, even patients with a good oral health track record. However, sometimes dental emergencies can be avoided. We encourage patients to visit Dr. Halim’s office regularly for routine dental care. Our hygienists and dentists can examine your teeth and gums to identify signs of developing oral health problems.

When dental problems are caught early, patients can avoid negative effects on the health, function, and appearance of their smiles. Preventative dental care not only preserves your dental health but may also reduce your risk of experiencing a dental emergency.

Some key ways of practicing preventive dental care include:

• Scheduling biannual dental visits: During preventive care visits, we can help our patients address developing oral health concerns and recommend the right treatments to fit their needs.
• Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine: A good oral hygiene routine keeps the teeth and gums healthy, reduces plaque buildup, and reduces your risk of developing gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health problems.
• Wearing a mouthguard during contact sports: Wearing a well-fitted custom mouthguard during sports reduces your risk of injury to your teeth and gums and even concussions.

Are You Experiencing a Dental Emergency?

If you think you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call our office immediately. If you have a problem that needs to be checked out but don’t think it’s an emergency, you can call us or schedule an appointment online!