Emergency Services

Dental emergencies are any serious or unexpected issues that involve teeth and their supporting structures when they require urgent attention. It could be an injury to the teeth, gums, or other structures inside the mouth. No dental plight should be taken lightly as negligence can increase the risk of permanent damage or potentially lead to expensive dental treatment.

Common dental emergencies

• Tooth pain

Tooth pain can be triggered by many different factors, for example sinusitis could mimic a severe toothache, a fractured tooth could hurt when you bite down, and a flare-up infection could cause swelling. It is extremely important to get a professional assessment and a  definitive diagnosis before anything is done. Patients are advised to avoid over-the-counter topicals, painkillers or aspirin as they may burn the surrounding tissues of the mouth and cause even more irritation. 

• Broken or Chipped Teeth

A chipped or broken tooth can be the result of a bad fall or injury or simply eating something hard. Any signs of bleeding should be tended to by applying gauze to the wound. Broken or chipped teeth due to any trauma should always be examined with proper radiographs and detailed intra-oral assessment. It is important to established a baseline record and continue to monitor the progress of the affected area as many pathology does not immediately appear after the incident.

• Knocked-out tooth

If you ever come across a situation where your tooth has been severely knocked out, there is no need to panic. Patients are requested to hold the tooth by the crown and rinse off the root with saline or milk if it’s soiled. It is recommended to reinsert the tooth back in its place as soon as possible, but it is advised to never force it into the socket. Splinting to immobilize the avulsed tooth is critical for the recovery of the periodontal ligaments. A radiograph is required to establish the baseline.  

• Lost crown

A lost or fallen crown would require seeing the dentist for replacement or recementation. If that's not possible, never place the crown back as aspiration of a loose crown may result in a visit to the emergency room.  A contaminated crown in the airway or lung could cause severe infection and sometimes a life-and-death situation.

• Broken brackets and wires

Wearing braces for the first time can pose a challenge. Sticking brackets and wires may cause discomfort. Bonding of the wire often is a very straight forward visit at the dental office.

• Soft-tissue Injuries

Any injury to the soft tissues can result in bleeding of the tongue, cheeks, gums, or lips. In order to control the bleeding until you are seen by a professional, rinse your mouth with warm salt-water solution, apply pressure at the point of bleeding and hold for 10-15 minutes. In case the bleeding does not stop, the patient is advised to see a dentist right away.

 Visit Dr. Lu, our best emergency dentist in Bloomingdale, IL for your dental emergencies. Call us today at (630) 529 0303.