Emergency Services
When a dental emergency occurs, all you want is to feel better. Happy Tooth is a mainstay in Elmhurst for doing our absolute best to get your dental emergency taken care of the same day you call. We perform root canals, complicated extractions, implant replacement, and more to resolve the issue. In the vast majority of cases, we can address the source of your pain without referring you out to a specialist and prolonging your experience.
Dental Emergencies
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
The first thing to check in a dental emergency is if you’re bleeding. If you are, then focus on stopping the bleeding first. You can do this by using pressure with a gauze pad on the bleeding area. You can also use a black tea bag, soaked in warm water, on this area.
If you’re having severe pain after a dental procedure such as a root canal or extraction, MAKE SURE YOU ARE TAKING YOUR MEDICATION EXACTLY AS PRESCRIBED, and call us immediately.
If you’ve injured your mouth, check to see if you have a broken or chipped tooth. If you can find the broken or chipped piece, save it and bring it to our office with you.
If you’re having a dental emergency, call us immediately so you can be seen as soon as possible. If you have unbearable pain, swelling increases quickly, or you cannot stop the bleeding, go to the emergency room for care.
What is a Dental Emergency?
Happy Tooth is your emergency dentist in Elmhurst, Ilinois. But it’s still critical for you to understand what qualifies as a dental emergency, so you know when to seek urgent care. Potential dental emergencies include:
- Severe pain / toothache
- Sudden tooth injury
- Knocked-out (avulsed) tooth
- Broken teeth
- Detached crown or temporary crown
- Loose crown, filling, or tooth
- Unexplained gum bleeding
- Intense pain in gums or surrounding tissues
Whatever emergency dental treatment you might need–such as tooth removal and replacement, root canal, or tooth rebuilding–our Happy Tooth dentists can often take care of it here in our office the same day.
What May Be Causing Your Toothache
Possible causes for your toothache may include:
-
- Cavities
- Cracked tooth
- Abscessed tooth
- Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
- A damaged dental restoration (like a filling or crown)
- Gum disease
When to Go to the ER for a Toothache
You should head to your local emergency room if you have:
- Swelling that continues to increase
- Unbearable tooth pain that doesn’t get better with medication
- Bleeding that won’t stop with applied pressure
- A fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.33 degrees Celsius)
Knocked-out (avulsed) Tooth
We don’t want anyone to experience the trauma of a knocked-out (avulsed) tooth but it does happen, most often in children and adolescents. This is when a tooth–usually a front tooth–is dislodged from its socket by a fall or other impact.
A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency, and immediate attention may save the tooth. Gently place the tooth back into the socket, root first. In children, this should be done by an adult. Be careful to hold the tooth by the crown–do not touch the root. Bite on a napkin or gauze to anchor the tooth in place. Contact us immediately for an emergency appointment.
If the tooth cannot be placed back in the socket, it is extremely important to place the tooth in milk and call us as soon as possible. If a dentist can place the tooth back into its socket within an hour or two, there is a strong chance it will not need to be replaced, but will remain a viable part of your child’s smile for many years to come.
To help prevent tooth avulsion, we advise wearing a mouthguard during contact sports.
If a Crown or Temporary Crown Comes Off
Clean out the temporary crown gently with your toothbrush. A local supermarket or pharmacy may have some temporary cement or denture adhesive you can use to put the crown back in place temporarily. Add a small amount of temporary material inside the crown and firmly put the crown back in place.
A temporary crown comes off more frequently than most patients realize. Going without a crown, or a misaligned one, can jeopardize the permanent crown’s placement.
Managing Your Pain in a Dental Emergency
At Happy Tooth, we’re here to not only resolve your dental emergency, but to manage your pain and help you stay calm during your treatment. We use every method at our disposal to make you feel comfortable in this stressful situation.
When immediate dental care isn’t available, try the following to alleviate discomfort:
- Gently swish lukewarm saltwater to soothe tender teeth and gums
- Take approved over-the-counter pain relievers as directed
- Apply cold compresses externally to reduce swelling
- Use oral numbing gels with caution, following package instructions
- Steer clear of extreme temperatures in food and drink
- For jaw discomfort, try a warm compress
- Refrain from chewing near the affected area
Remember, these are only temporary solutions. Seek professional dental care as soon as possible for proper treatment.
While medications may offer temporary relief, they don’t solve the underlying dental issue. Self-medicating with old or borrowed antibiotics can cause the infection to grow and be more resistant to treatment. Different infections require specific antibiotics–not every antibiotic will work in every case.
Using leftover or borrowed narcotic pain medications is also risky due to the potential for overdose or addiction. Always seek professional dental care for proper diagnosis and treatment to ensure long-term oral health.
Why Immediate Care Matters in a Dental Emergency
When a dental emergency is ignored, it can lead to permanent damage to the teeth, gums, and a patient’s overall health. Any infection could also spread into other areas. Seeking treatment immediately can help you avoid those complications and also resolve the cause of your pain.
Reduce Your Risk
Don’t wait for an emergency to call us. You can reduce your risk of many dental emergencies by receiving regular cleanings and dental checkups.
Schedule an appointment to stay current on your dental care and identify problems early.
Contact Happy Tooth today to schedule a consultation. We want to help you take great care of your oral health before an emergency happens.
