Where Can I Find an Emergency Dentist in Stafford, VA?

Published by Namu Dental Care.

A cracked tooth at dinner, an ache that wakes you up at 2 a.m., a crown that comes off while you're eating. When your mouth hurts, you want two answers fast: who can see you, and what to do until you get there. This guide covers both, from what counts as a dental emergency to the signs that mean you should head to the hospital instead. We're Namu Dental Care, a family dental practice at 400 Corporate Drive in Stafford, VA, and we work emergency patients into our schedule.

Where can I find an emergency dentist in Stafford, VA?

Call Namu Dental Care at 540-288-9212. We offer same-day appointments for dental emergencies, and we work emergency patients into the schedule, because "when something hurts, waiting is not an option."

Our office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with Saturday by appointment only. If you wake up in pain, notice swelling that's getting worse, or break a tooth, call us first thing.

Dr. Daniel Dafo, who owns the practice, "believes in same-day care whenever possible." The same team takes care of you from start to finish. You can read more about our emergency dentistry services in Stafford.

What counts as a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is any problem with your teeth or gums that causes real pain, damage or swelling and shouldn't wait for your next checkup. Common examples include:

• A toothache that's strong enough to keep you up at night
• A tooth that's cracked, chipped or broken
• An adult tooth that's been knocked out
• A crown or filling that has come loose or fallen out
• Swelling in your gums, cheek or face

Swelling near a tooth deserves quick attention. It can be a sign of a tooth abscess, a pocket of infection that needs treatment from a dentist and won't go away without it.

If you can't tell whether your problem is urgent, call us anyway. Helping you sort that out is part of our job, and "That is what we are here for."

What should I do if a tooth breaks or falls out after hours?

Call our office number first. Our voicemail has guidance for after-hours problems, and the advice in our after-hours patient video starts simply: "Do not panic." If a crown comes loose, call us first thing in the morning.

While you wait, these steps from the American Dental Association's MouthHealthy guide to dental emergencies can help:

• Toothache: rinse your mouth with warm water and floss gently to clear away any food caught around the tooth. Don't put aspirin directly on your gums.
• Chipped or broken tooth: rinse with warm water, save any pieces you can find, and hold a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to help with swelling.
• Knocked-out adult tooth: pick the tooth up by the crown (the part you chew with) and avoid touching the root. Rinse it gently without scrubbing. If you can, place it back in the socket. If you can't, keep it in a small container of milk and see a dentist right away.
• Lost crown: keep the crown and bring it with you to your appointment.

Not sure whether your problem can wait until the morning? Call us, and we'll help you figure out which one yours is.

When should I go to the emergency room instead of a dentist?

Go to the emergency room if you have significant pain with swelling around your jaw or neck, or if you have difficulty swallowing. In our after-hours video, we name exactly those signs: "significant pain swelling around the jaw or neck or difficulty swallowing."

Mayo Clinic gives similar guidance for a tooth abscess. If you have a fever and swelling in your face and can't reach your dentist, or you're having trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the emergency room, because the infection may have spread.

Why do Stafford patients call Namu Dental Care when a tooth hurts?

You get a dentist's full attention, even on a day you weren't planning to come in. Dr. Dafo and Dr. Rodriguez don't double book, so when it's your turn, the dentist in the room is focused on you.

When you're in pain, Dr. Dafo's first goal is getting you out of pain. Before any procedure, we explain what we're going to do and why. We show you the x-ray and describe what we see in plain language, then we stop and ask what questions you have. Treatment moves forward once you feel confident about the plan.

Dr. Rodriguez is fluent in Spanish. If Spanish is your preferred language, or a family member's, ask for Dr. Rodriguez when you call.

If it's been years since your last dental visit and a toothache is what finally brings you in, you're welcome here. We'll look at where you are right now and help you figure out the best path forward.

If a tooth is hurting right now, call our Stafford dental office at 540-288-9212 and we'll work you into the schedule. You can also reach us through our contact page. We're at 400 Corporate Drive, Stafford, VA 22554.

Published by Namu Dental Care.