Emergency Dentist in Skokie, IL

How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies

Regardless of the type of emergency you’re experiencing, you should always give our dental office a call so you can get scheduled for an appointment. Most dental emergencies require professional guidance and treatment to handle. Of course, there are ways to improve your condition before you do arrive. Consider the following tips below!

Toothaches

Make sure there is no food debris stuck in between your teeth by using floss to gently remove it. You can also rinse your mouth out with warm water to help dislodge it. Take over-the-counter pain medication if discomfort continues. Apply a cold compress to your mouth for 10 minutes at a time for no more than one hour to reduce swelling. The cause could be tooth decay or an oral infection, so get to our dental office right away if the pain is severe or doesn’t go away.

Chipped/Broken Tooth

Locate any pieces of the tooth that you can and bring them to the dental office. Do not chew on that side of your mouth or at all if possible. If the tooth is sharp, cover it with dental cement or sugar-free chewing gum if nothing else is available. This prevents you from accidentally cutting your gum or oral tissue.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Locate the tooth, making sure to only touch it by the crown portion and not the root. Do not remove any tissue that’s still attached to the tooth. Gently rinse it off of any debris and place it back into your socket or inside your cheek pocket if this is not possible. You can also keep it in milk or saltwater to preserve it for up to one hour.

Lost Filling/Crown

Locate the crown and use either dental cement, denture adhesive, or sugar-free chewing gum to temporarily re-attach the restoration to your tooth. If this is not possible or the restoration is lost, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until you get to our dental office.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

While dental emergencies are unfortunate, they can be largely avoided if you know the proper steps to prevention. For example, practicing daily oral brushing and flossing will help you remove plaque before it attacks teeth or turns into tartar. Routine dental cleanings help you remove tartar and catch the early signs of dental conditions before they can cause harm. Wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth or a sportsguard if you play contact sports can work to prevent damage caused by teeth grinding or forced trauma. Furthermore, you should never use your teeth as a tool or to bite your nails.

Learn More About How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies

If you experience a dental emergency, it’s important you get to our dental office so we can confirm what needs to be done to protect your smile and your oral health. The cost of your treatment can vary depending on the type of emergency you’re having, but also on how severe the emergency is. Regardless, putting off your treatment will only cause it to worsen, resulting in higher costs and more treatment. We’re always ready to get you out of discomfort and help you create an affordable treatment plan that’s within your budget.

Emergency Dentistry FAQs

An unexpected dental problem can force you to put the rest of your life on hold. The pain can make it difficult or even impossible to focus on other tasks like working, eating, or even sleeping. That’s why you should contact your emergency dentist in Skokie as soon as possible should a situation like this arise. As you wait for your appointment, it may help to read through this list of frequently asked questions about emergency dentistry.

What Is the Best Way to Manage My Pain?

Everyone has a different pain tolerance. Some patients may need a little help easing their discomfort so they can focus on getting to our office. The best ways to mitigate this pain include taking over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen (just be sure to not apply it directly to the area since it can irritate the gums), holding a cold compress to your cheek in 10-minute intervals, and applying a topical pain reliever like Orajel.

Even if you’re able to relieve your pain, it’s still crucial that you call us. Pain is your body’s way of letting you know something is wrong. Our team will still need to take a look and determine what caused the pain in the first place and then devise a treatment plan.

What If I Have a Dental Emergency When I’m Out of Town?

If you’re out of town and encounter a dental emergency, the steps you should take will depend on your unique situation. For relatively minor issues, like a slightly chipped tooth or lose crown, you can usually wait a few days until you can see your dentist in Skokie again. In more urgent situations, such as a knocked-out tooth or a dental abscess, see if you can find a dentist in the area who will treat the immediate problem and get you out of pain. Afterward, call us and set up an appointment for when you return. We can then examine your mouth and determine whether you need any further treatment.

Do Sensitive Teeth Count as a Dental Emergency?

It depends. Sometimes sensitivity occurs as the result of your enamel thinning over the years, and is nothing to worry about. In other cases, it could point toward advanced gum disease or other infections. If your teeth appear longer due to receding gums, or if your sensitivity occurs mainly in one tooth, contact us right away. For minor sensitivity, try using a desensitizing toothpaste. If the problem doesn’t go away after a few days, give us a call and we can identify what’s wrong.

I Have an Object Stuck in My Teeth. What Should I Do?

First, rinse out your mouth with a saltwater solution and then try gently flossing the area. If that doesn’t work, call us and we can help dislodge the object. Whatever you do, do not attempt to use a sharp object like a toothpick or a knife to remove the object yourself. Doing so could scratch your tooth or pierce your gums.