What to Do When You Have a Dental Emergency in Fairfax, VA

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any situation where you’re experiencing pain, swelling, bleeding, or damage that can’t safely wait for a routine appointment. Common dental emergencies include:



• Severe toothache that doesn’t let up
• Chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
• Knocked-out tooth
• Lost or broken crown or filling
• Abscess or swollen jaw (can signal serious infection)
• Soft tissue injury inside the mouth

If you’re in significant pain or your face is swelling, that’s not something to put off. Dental infections can spread quickly and become a medical emergency.

What to Do Right Now (Before You Call)

While you’re figuring out next steps, here’s how to manage the most common emergencies at home:

Severe toothache: Rinse with warm salt water. Over-the-counter ibuprofen (if you’re not allergic) can reduce inflammation and pain. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gum — it can burn tissue.

Broken or chipped tooth: Rinse your mouth gently. Save any large pieces if you can find them. Avoid hard or chewy foods on that side.

Knocked-out tooth: Handle it by the crown, not the root. Rinse it gently without scrubbing. Place it back in the socket if possible, or keep it in a glass of milk. Time matters — the sooner you’re seen, the better the chance of saving the tooth.

Lost crown or filling: If your crown came off, you may be able to temporarily reseat it with over-the-counter dental cement (sold at most pharmacies). Don’t leave exposed tooth structure unprotected for long.

Abscess or swelling: Do not try to pop or drain it. Rinse with warm salt water and call us immediately. A spreading dental infection requires prompt professional treatment.

Same-Day Emergency Dental Care in Fairfax, VA

DentCare Now is open 7 days a week, including most holidays, specifically so patients don’t have to wait out a weekend in pain. Our Fairfax office near Fairfax Circle handles dental emergencies in-house — including same-day extractions and root canals — without referring you somewhere else first.

When you call, a real person picks up. We book same-day appointments based on what you’re experiencing, and our team is ready to take care of you the moment you walk in.

Your emergency visit includes a comprehensive exam and x-ray. If additional treatment is needed, we walk you through all options and costs before anything begins — no surprises.

Emergency Dental Services We Provide On-Site

We handle the full range of dental emergencies at our Fairfax office:

• Emergency exams and digital x-rays
• Same-day tooth extractions
• Root canal treatment — completed in-house
• Broken tooth repair and same-day CEREC crowns
• Abscess treatment and infection management
• Broken crown and filling repair

No unnecessary referrals. No “come back on Monday.” We resolve the problem the same day whenever clinically possible.

What About the Cost? We’ll Be Honest With You.

We’re out-of-network with most insurance plans — but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a surprise bill. DentCare Now submits claims and actively fights for patient reimbursement. We also offer transparent pricing upfront so you know exactly what you’re looking at before we begin any treatment.

For patients without insurance, our Elite Protection Plan includes priority same-day emergency access, discounts on restorative care, and more. Many emergency patients join that day. Call us or ask at your visit for current plan details.

Why DentCare Now for Dental Emergencies in Fairfax

There are a lot of dental offices in Northern Virginia. Here’s what makes DentCare Now different for emergency patients:

• Open 7 days a week, including holidays
• Real person answers the phone 24/7
• Same-day appointments, not a 3-day wait
• Extractions and root canals done in-house
• Upfront pricing — no guessing
• No judgment if it’s been years since your last visit

Dr. Rasheeda Johnson and Dr. Dominique Bonner trained at Howard University College of Dentistry and have been serving patients in the Fairfax area for over a decade. Dr. Johnson is board-eligible in implantology and certified in oral sedation — so whether your emergency is straightforward or complex, you’re in experienced hands.

You don’t have to spend the weekend in pain or searching for someone who will actually pick up the phone. We’re here. Call us, text us, or book online at dentcarenow.com — and let’s get you out of pain today.

DentCare Now | Near Fairfax Circle, Fairfax, VA | Open 7 Days | Book Online or Call Anytime

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