Emergency Dentistry
Emergency Dentistry For Urgent Dental Needs In Warrenville, IL
Life is full of surprises. Unfortunately, those surprises may include dental emergencies like sudden injuries or painful infections that threaten your oral health. If you are experiencing any kind of dental emergency, Family First Dental is here for you with same-day appointments and comprehensive care to relieve your pain and restore your smile.
What is Considered a Dental Emergency?
Some dental emergencies like knocked out teeth or uncontrolled bleeding are easy to identify. However, other dental emergencies might be easier to neglect, which could leave you in pain much longer than necessary. Issues like severe toothaches, chipped or cracked teeth, or objects stuck in between the teeth are still urgent situations that should be treated by the dentist as soon as possible. Unlike other medical emergencies, most dental emergencies don’t require a trip to the ER. Instead, you should visit a qualified emergency dentistry provider like Family First Dental.
Our Emergency Dental Care Services
We provide comprehensive care for dental emergencies, whether you are dealing with a tooth infection or a knocked out tooth. Our services include:
Cracks, decay, and other damage to your teeth can expose the roots and soft tissue to bacteria and lead to an infection. Our caring team removes the infected tissue, cleans out the canals and chamber, and seals the tooth to prevent further infection. It’s essential to treat an infected tooth with root canal therapy as soon as possible to avoid further damage, including developing an abscess and tooth loss.
If you have a tooth that’s incurred decay or damage too substantial to repair, our dental staff may have to extract it. The process of extracting a tooth helps to protect the rest of your mouth from experiencing issues, as well, and it relieves the discomfort of a severely damaged tooth. At our practice, we only perform a tooth extraction when repair is not an option. During the procedure, our team will make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. We will also help you choose a replacement solution that suits your needs.
Reimplantation and Splinting
When a tooth is knocked out or becomes loose, it may be able to be reimplanted. In these situations, you do need to act fast, as the tooth should be placed back in its socket within the hour to help it reattach. If the tooth is not intact or has been significantly damaged, we will clean out the tooth socket to prevent infection and recommend an appropriate replacement solution at a subsequent visit.
Causes of Tooth Pain
Tooth pain is never normal, so if you are in pain, you should contact our office to schedule an appointment. Common causes of tooth pain include infections, injuries, trauma, and soft tissue injuries along the gumline.
Emergency Dental Implants
If you must have a tooth removed or have an avulsed tooth, dental implants may be the best option for replacing the tooth. During your emergency visit, we will make sure the site of the tooth extraction is properly cleaned and stitched up so that it can heal fully. Once the area is healed, we can assess whether you have sufficient bone density to support a dental implant.
What to Do Before You Get to the Dentist
When you’re facing any type of dental emergency, call our office for a same-day appointment and let our team know exactly what type of issue you’re having. If you have a knocked out tooth, you will want to gently place the tooth back in the socket or keep it in a glass of milk to protect the inner mechanisms of the tooth. For a cracked or chipped tooth or soft tissue injury, apply gauze to stop the bleeding and avoid taking NSAID medications, which act as blood thinners. If you have an object stuck between the teeth, avoid using force or attempting to use sharp objects to remove it. If the object does not come out with floss or gentle pressure, it’s best to let the dentist handle it.
Our Treatment Process
Your emergency dentistry treatment will begin with x-ray imaging to assess the extent of your injuries or identify the source of your tooth pain. From there, we will develop a customized treatment plan that prioritizes preservation of your natural teeth. If extraction or a root canal is necessary, we will perform these procedures right away and provide you with detailed aftercare instructions. Then, we will have you follow up at a later visit to discuss long-term care and maintenance.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
It’s not always possible to avoid a dental emergency, but these steps can help reduce your risk:
- Brush your teeth twice daily and floss once per day
- Wear a custom fitted mouthguard while playing sports
- Do not chew on hard objects like ice or hard candy
- Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products (or calcium fortified plant-based alternatives)
- Visit the dentist regularly for routine checkups and cleanings
Schedule Your Appointment at Family First Dental
Don’t ignore tooth pain or wait to address an oral injury. Contact Family First Dental for a same-day appointment in Warrenville, IL.
FAQs About Dental Emergencies
If you are not bleeding, you can use NSAID medication to ease tooth pain. You might also use topical pain relievers made for oral use and apply a cold compress until you can get to the dentist’s office.
A broken tooth may not be painful, and if the root is intact and not loose, you might think you can wait to seek treatment. However, broken teeth are more susceptible to infection, so it is essential to get treatment right away.