Tooth pain shouldn’t wait
for a regular appointment.

Call us first

If a tooth is keeping you up at night or making it hard to eat, call 540-418-0825. Dr. Sanie keeps time open every day for emergency cases, and we’ll do our best to see you the same day. The longer you wait, the worse most toothaches get — early treatment is almost always less invasive and less expensive.

What might be causing your pain

• A cavity reaching the nerve. Often felt as a throbbing, lingering pain especially with hot or cold food.
• A cracked tooth. Sharp pain when biting on a specific spot.
• An abscess or infection. Constant deep pain, sometimes with swelling, a bad taste, or fever.
• Gum infection or impacted food. Pressure or soreness around a tooth, often around a wisdom tooth.
• Grinding or a high filling. Soreness that comes and goes, especially in the morning.

What you can do until you get to us

• Rinse gently with warm salt water (a teaspoon in a cup).
• Floss carefully around the tooth — sometimes food is the cause.
• Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen, if your health allows it.
• Apply a cold compress on the cheek for swelling — never heat.
• Avoid putting aspirin directly on the gum. It can burn the tissue and won’t help the tooth.

What treatment may involve

The right fix depends on the cause. A small cavity may need a filling. A deeper one often needs a root canal and a crown to save the tooth. A serious infection may need antibiotics first, then treatment. In rare cases when a tooth can’t be saved, an extraction and a discussion of replacement options is the kindest path.

After hours

If a true dental emergency happens outside our office hours, leave a message at 540-418-0825 and head to the nearest emergency room for any swelling that affects breathing or swallowing. We’ll follow up first thing in the morning.