Knocked-out permanent tooth
DO: Pick it up by the crown, gently re-seat it in the socket, or store in milk. Call us on the way in.
DON'T: Don't scrub the root or store it in water — both kill the cells we need to re-attach.
Emergency Dental Care · Medical Park Drive
Dental emergency? Call us first.
You'll get in for pain, swelling, or a tooth that's loose or out. Your call to our Fishersville office reaches a real person who'll help you figure out what to do next, then make space on the schedule.
Office hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
What counts as a dental emergency
Your dental emergency will hit at the worst possible moment — during a soccer game, on a Saturday night, on the way to a wedding. Your first move is almost always the same: call us. You'll be talked through what to do during office hours, fit in the same day where possible, and walked through what's happening before you ever get to the chair.
Your timing matters more than most people realize. A knocked-out permanent tooth has the best chance of re-attaching if it's back in the socket within an hour — a conversation that can lead to a long-term plan via dental implants if reattachment isn't possible. Your severe toothache that's been brewing for days is often a sign of infection — root canal territory, covered on the restorative care page — rather than another night of ibuprofen. The sooner you call, the more options you have.
Common dental emergencies we treat
- Knocked-out (avulsed) permanent teeth
- Severe toothaches and dental abscesses
- Broken, fractured, or significantly chipped teeth
- Lost fillings, lost crowns, and damaged bridges
- Soft-tissue injuries to the lip, tongue, or cheek
- Sport-related dental trauma
- Pain after a recent procedure that isn't settling down
You can also use your Virginia Dental Club membership for emergency exams and X-rays at no charge if you don't have insurance.
What to do — and what NOT to do
Severe toothache
DO: Rinse with warm salt water, floss carefully to clear trapped food, take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed.
DON'T: Don't place aspirin or aspirin powder directly on the tooth or gum — it burns the tissue.
Broken or chipped tooth
DO: Save any large fragments in a clean container, rinse your mouth gently with warm water, apply gauze if there's bleeding.
DON'T: Don't ignore a broken tooth even if it doesn't hurt — exposed dentin invites infection.
Lost filling or crown
DO: Keep the area clean, eat on the other side, and call to schedule. A drugstore temporary cement can hold things together for a day or two.
DON'T: Don't use household glue or super glue. We can repair almost anything done properly; we cannot un-do super glue.
Soft-tissue injury (lip, tongue, cheek)
DO: Rinse gently with warm salt water, apply firm pressure with damp gauze for ten to fifteen minutes.
DON'T: Don't ignore bleeding that won't stop after fifteen minutes of pressure — head to Augusta Health's ER and call us afterward.
We'll get you in.
Calling first is always the right move. Our front desk will help you figure out the next step.
Dental emergency questions patients ask most
What counts as a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is anything that's actively painful, swollen, bleeding, or jeopardizing a tooth — a knocked-out tooth, severe toothache, broken tooth, lost filling or crown, abscess, or trauma to the mouth. If you're not sure, call us. We'd rather hear from you and reassure you than have you tough out something that needs attention.
Can I get a same-day appointment in Fishersville?
Yes — during clinical hours, we hold time on the schedule for emergencies. Call 540-885-8037 first thing in the morning if you can; the earlier we know, the easier it is to fit you in the same day at our Medical Park Drive office.
What should I do if a permanent tooth gets knocked out?
Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), not the root. If it's clean, try to gently slip it back into the socket and bite down on a clean cloth to hold it. If you can't, store it in a glass of milk (not water) and head straight to the office — time matters. Call us on the way: 540-885-8037.
What should I do for severe tooth pain right now?
Rinse with warm salt water, gently floss to dislodge any food trapped between teeth, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed. Do not place aspirin or aspirin powder directly on the tooth or gum — it burns the tissue. Then call us so we can see you.
What about after hours?
Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. After hours, call our main line at 540-885-8037 and leave a message — we check messages and return urgent calls as quickly as we're able. For severe facial swelling, difficulty breathing, or trauma from an accident, head to Augusta Health's emergency department on the same campus first.
Will my insurance cover an emergency visit?
Most dental insurance covers emergency exams, X-rays, and palliative care. We'll verify your coverage as soon as you call so you know what to expect. If you don't have insurance, ask about Virginia Dental Club — emergency exams and X-rays are included with membership.
Frequently Asked Questions
What patients ask us most.
A dental emergency is anything that's actively painful, swollen, bleeding, or jeopardizing a tooth — a knocked-out tooth, severe toothache, broken tooth, lost filling or crown, abscess, or trauma to the mouth. If you're not sure, call us. We'd rather hear from you and reassure you than have you tough out something that needs attention.