Dental emergencies can occur to anyone, anywhere, and anytime, but they always seem to strike when you are completely unprepared. For instance, while you and a few friends played baseball, the game abruptly changed to bowling, and your teeth became the pins. Or how about the time you bit into a slice of pizza, and it bit back.
Regardless of the circumstances, you are in pain and require immediate help! So what should you do? Simple, call Big Smile Dental at 773-772-8400 for SAME DAY EMERGENCIES.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency includes uncontrollable bleeding, facial bone trauma, severe pain, and other dental issues. It differs significantly from a medical emergency and necessitates seeing an experienced dentist earlier than usual.
Some of the most common dental emergencies include:
Toothache – Tooth pain that is sudden, severe, and persistent is a cause for concern. Try flossing to ensure nothing is lodged between your teeth if you have a toothache. If something is lodged between the teeth and flossing can’t seem to get it, visit your emergency dentist’s office. Do not try to remove it using any sharp object, as this can cause further injury. Another cause of severe toothache is pulp infection. The dental pulp contains nerves and can cause pain when infected. In any case, visit the emergency dental office if the toothache persists.
Cracked or chipped teeth – Although teeth are incredibly strong, they can get damaged when used frequently to bite down on overly hard objects. This is particularly true for teeth that are affected by tooth decay. Cracked and chipped teeth can also occur due to accidents or contact sports. If your tooth cracks or chips off, try to locate and collect the fragments and preserve them in a cloth saturated with milk or water until the emergency dental team sees you.
Soft tissue damage – A dental emergency can also include an issue that affects the mouth’s soft tissues, such as the gums, tongue, lips, and cheeks. Generally, these types of injuries include punctures, tears, and lacerations. With soft tissue damage, you may want to clean the area with warm water and apply pressure to stop any bleeding till you receive urgent care.
Loose teeth – Any facial impact that causes teeth to become loose or fall out requires emergency dental care. If a tooth is loose, try to keep it in place by gently biting down. If a tooth has been knocked out, try to locate the missing tooth and handle it only by the crown to avoid damage to the tooth root. Then, place it back in its socket and bite down on it or store it in a glass of milk or water until you meet your dentist.
Missing or loose dental restoration – There are numerous reasons why permanent and temporary dental restorations can become loose or fall out. If this occurs, you may require emergency dental treatment. You may need to bring in the missing restoration to restore a permanent restoration. You may be able to use chapstick, Vaseline, or denture repair adhesive to keep a temporary restoration in place until you see your dentist.
Not all dental issues necessitate that you seek emergency dental care. However, if you experience direct trauma to your mouth, teeth, or gums, or if you are experiencing severe pain, you should contact your dentist immediately. Dental injuries can lead to more serious dental and health complications if not treated immediately.
Emergency Services
Each dental emergency is unique. Some issues, such as a chipped or broken tooth, can be resolved in a single dental visit. Other conditions, such as severe toothache caused by extensive decay or gum disease, may necessitate a more complex treatment strategy. Regardless of the circumstances, Big smile Dental will take steps to alleviate your pain as soon as possible and, if necessary, proceed with further treatment options.
Some of the most common emergency dentistry services include:
Extractions – We want to help you keep all of your natural teeth healthy for life. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. If the tooth is too badly damaged to restore (or you opt to have it removed), tooth extraction can be a fast and comfortable solution. Once your pain is relieved, we can discuss replacement options such as a bridge, denture, or dental implant.
Bonding – Painful, chipped, or cracked teeth can often be repaired with a simple, conservative bonding procedure. This form of cosmetic dentistry could be a temporary or permanent solution.
Medication – An infected tooth can cause excruciating pain and usually needs a root canal treatment to solve the problem. Depending on the circumstances, it may not be possible or practical to perform the procedure immediately, but antibiotics can provide temporary relief until the tooth is treated.
Dental First Aid
You can minimize pain and sometimes prevent further damage with a few simple first aid steps. If you experience:
Swelling – Use a cold compress on the affected area.
Pain – Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, according to the prescription. Don’t take too much, or place the pill against your tooth or gums. Clove oil can also be applied topically for fast relief.
Bleeding – Apply gentle pressure to the wound using a bit of sterile gauze. If the bleeding is severe, receive prompt treatment at the hospital ER.
Lost restorations – Denture adhesive or sugar-free gum can temporarily hold a crown or bridge until you receive dental emergency care.
Knocked-out tooth – Rinse your mouth and the tooth gently, being careful not to damage any tissue still attached to the root. Then, place your tooth back in the socket or a container filled with milk, and bring it to the dental practice with you.
Get Help!
In any situation, call us as soon as possible. We are open Monday through Friday and a half-day on Saturday for your convenience. Our hours of operation are:
Monday – Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Remember, for same-day appointments, call tel:+17737728400 to receive the immediate care you need. We will get you out of pain and give you a reason to smile.
