Unlike medical emergencies, many people don’t know who to call or where to go when a dental emergency occurs. If you’ve ever experienced a severe toothache or have broken a tooth unexpectedly, you know how important it is to be prepared. In these cases, the emergency room isn’t helpful, but an emergency dentist is.
Not sure what constitutes an emergency? Not all oral pain and discomfort requires immediate attention, but if you aren’t sure, check for these symptoms:
- Excessive pain and bleeding
- Knocked-out tooth
- Loose tooth or teeth
- Infection or abscess
One or more of these symptoms should be reported to an emergency dentist. She will determine whether you need immediate care and give you specific care instructions for your mouth until you arrive at the office.
4 Most Common Dental Emergencies
At Dental Care of Lombard, our emergency dentist is always prepared to meet patients’ immediate needs. Here are the most common emergencies she encounters:
1. Severe tooth pain
A toothache that can’t be remedied by cleaning around the painful area, a saltwater rinse, or over-the-counter pain medication elicits a call to your emergency dentist. She will most likely recommend using ice to temporarily relieve some of the pain.
Toothaches can be caused by a variety of things, including:
- Misaligned or impacted wisdom teeth
- Bruxism
- Dental sensitivity
- Tooth fractures
- Periodontal disease
- Decay
Depending on your other symptoms and pain-level, your dentist may recommend waiting until regular office hours to visit. However, if she suspects a serious dental issue, she will meet you at the office immediately.
2. Knocked-out tooth
Patients with a knocked-out tooth should visit the dentist as soon as possible for the best chance of having the tooth restored.
Before heading to the office, follow this protocol:
- Pick up the tooth by the top, not the root.
- Rinse it off.
- If possible, place the tooth back into the socket and use a clean cloth or gauze to hold it in place. Otherwise, put the tooth in a cup of milk or water and bring it with you to the dentist.
3. Cracked tooth
Follow the same protocol for a cracked tooth as you would with a knocked-out tooth. However, depending on the severity and location of the cracked tooth, your emergency dentist may not need to see you right away.
4. Abscessed tooth
An infected, or abscessed, tooth requires immediate attention. A severe infection could be life-threatening. Call your emergency dentist immediately if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Continuous toothache
- Fever
- Tooth sensitivity
- Pimple-like bumps on your gums
- Tender lymph nodes in your neck
- Facial swelling
Prevention
Obviously, not all dental emergencies can be prevented or avoided. But sometimes they can! Strong, healthy teeth are much less likely to chip, crack, and develop cavities or infection. Take proper care of your teeth by doing these five things:
- Brush twice a day
- Floss daily
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash
- Eat properly
- Attend regular dental cleanings
Your Lombard Emergency Dentist
For dental emergencies, prevention and preparation are key. While we hope you never have to use it, save our phone number to your contacts list in case you or a loved one experiences any one of these dental issues. Our dentist is always ready to relieve your pain and restore your mouth back to health.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency right now, call us now at (630) 629-5700.
