What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?
Not every dental issue requires immediate attention, but certain situations demand urgent care. Severe pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medication needs professional evaluation. Something is wrong, and ignoring it typically makes the problem worse.
A knocked-out tooth is one of the most time-sensitive emergencies. If you can get to a dentist within an hour, there’s a reasonable chance of saving the tooth. Handle it by the crown (the part you see when it’s in your mouth), rinse it gently if it’s dirty, and try to place it back in the socket if possible. If that doesn’t work, keep it moist in milk or saliva until you reach the dental office.
Other situations that require emergency dentistry in Des Plaines include:
- Broken or cracked teeth that expose the inner layers
- Abscesses or swelling in the gums or face
- Uncontrolled bleeding following an injury or extraction
- Lost fillings or crowns that leave teeth vulnerable
- Severe injuries to the lips, tongue, or cheeks
- Objects stuck between teeth that you can’t remove with floss
Common Dental Emergencies and What to Do
Toothaches can range from annoying to excruciating. Rinse your mouth with warm water and use floss to make sure nothing is trapped between your teeth, causing pressure. Avoid putting aspirin directly on the gum tissue, as this can burn the soft tissue. A cold compress on the outside of your cheek can help reduce swelling and numb the area temporarily.
Chipped or broken teeth happen more often than you’d think. Save any pieces you can find and rinse your mouth with warm water. If there’s bleeding, apply gauze to the area for about ten minutes or until it stops. Sharp edges can cut your tongue or cheek, so covering them with dental wax or sugar-free gum provides temporary protection.
Lost crowns or fillings expose the sensitive inner tooth structure, causing pain and leaving the tooth susceptible to further damage. You can temporarily cover the area with dental cement from a pharmacy, but this is just a stopgap measure until you can get professional treatment.
Abscesses are infections that form at the root of a tooth or in the space between teeth and gums. They’re serious because the infection can spread to other parts of your body if left untreated. Signs include severe pain, swelling, fever, and a bad taste in your mouth. Rinsing with mild salt water several times a day may help draw out some infection, but you need professional treatment to resolve the underlying cause.
Why Timing Matters in Dental Emergencies
Your body’s natural healing processes work best when damage is addressed quickly. A tooth that’s been knocked out starts to die once it’s separated from its blood supply. The cells on the root surface dry out and become non-viable within minutes. Even if you can’t replant it yourself, getting to a dentist quickly gives those cells the best chance of survival.
Infections don’t wait around either. An untreated abscess can spread to your jaw, neck, or even your bloodstream. What starts as tooth pain can escalate into a life-threatening situation if bacteria enter your system. Fast treatment with drainage and antibiotics prevents these complications.
Broken teeth become more difficult to repair the longer you wait. The jagged edges can crack further, bacteria can enter the exposed areas, and the remaining tooth structure weakens. What might have been fixable with a simple restoration could end up requiring a root canal or extraction if you delay treatment.
What Happens During an Emergency Dental Visit
Dr. Karina Golubyants and Dr. James O’Carroll prioritize getting you comfortable and out of pain first. The team will assess your situation, take necessary X-rays to see what’s happening beneath the surface, and explain your treatment options. Digital X-rays provide detailed images quickly, helping identify fractures, infections, or other issues that aren’t visible during a visual exam.
Treatment depends on the specific problem. A cracked tooth might need a crown to hold it together. An infection requires drainage and possibly a root canal to remove diseased tissue. A knocked-out tooth needs immediate reimplantation and stabilization. Whatever the issue, the focus is on resolving the immediate problem and preventing further damage.
Pain management is part of every emergency visit. Local anesthetics ensure you don’t feel discomfort during procedures. For severe pain or anxiety, additional options may be available to help you get through treatment more comfortably.
Preventing Future Emergencies
While accidents happen, some dental emergencies are preventable. Regular checkups catch small problems before they become urgent situations. A tiny cavity detected early needs just a simple filling. That same cavity ignored for months can lead to severe pain and infection requiring emergency treatment.
Wearing a mouthguard during sports protects your teeth from impact injuries. Custom guards from your dentist fit better and offer more protection than generic store-bought versions. If you grind your teeth at night, a nightguard prevents the gradual wear and cracking that can lead to sudden breaks.
Avoiding hard foods like ice, popcorn kernels, and hard candies reduces your risk of fractures. Using scissors instead of your teeth to open packages keeps you from accidentally damaging them.
Get Help When You Need It
Dental emergencies cause stress and pain, but prompt professional care resolves most problems effectively. Apple Family Dental in Des Plaines is equipped to handle urgent situations and get you back to normal as quickly as possible. Don’t wait for a small problem to become a big one. Contact the office right away if you’re experiencing a dental emergency. Relief is just a phone call away.