How To Handle Common Dental Emergencies

Arlington Heights dentistDr. Brent Engelberg is your local Arlington Heights dentist. He provides comprehensive dental services to patients with advanced dental concerns. The thing about dental concerns is that they often pop up when we are least expecting them. If you get caught up in an after-hours dental emergency, there are steps you can take to reduce pain and discomfort. Sometimes, knowing what to do during a dental emergency can be the difference between saving a tooth and experiencing tooth loss. Learn more about how to handle common dental emergencies below:

Knocked-Out Teeth

If a tooth is knocked out of your mouth, it’s important to act fast. Recover the tooth if possible, handle it by the crown, and avoid touching any exposed tooth roots. Place the dislodged tooth in a cup of warm water or milk to store until you can see your dentist. The sooner you see a dentist, the more likely it is that they will be able to reattach the tooth. However, if the tooth is not salvageable, you will need to consider your tooth replacement options. Our Arlington Heights dentist office is happy to help patients suffering from tooth loss by providing restorative dentistry options to meet their needs. We encourage you to contact us as soon as possible if you’ve experienced a knocked-out tooth so that we can provide you with the care you need to restore your dental health.

Toothaches

A toothache is any sudden or unexplained tooth pain that may come and go. The pain can range from dull to severe and should be reported to your dentist as soon as possible. Often, a toothache is an indication that there are underlying dental concerns affecting your smile. Dr. Engelberg will need to evaluate the health of your teeth, gums, and jawbone to determine what is causing your tooth pain. If you experience a toothache after hours, consider taking over-the-counter pain medicine to reduce any discomfort. Additionally, you should avoid eating anything that might be challenging to chew. Holding a cold compress to your cheek will help reduce any inflammation.

Broken Tooth

If you have broken a tooth, it’s important to remain calm. There are restorative dentistry options for repairing severely decayed or broken teeth. However, it’s also important to see your dentist as soon as possible. Broken teeth can create an uncomfortable bite, impacting your ability to chew and speak properly. Additionally, broken teeth are likely to only get worse the longer they go unrepaired. Our office offers dental crowns for treating broken teeth. A dental crown is a porcelain cap that replaces the look and functionality of a broken tooth. If your broken tooth is causing you pain or increased sensitivity, take over-the-counter pain medication and see your dentist as soon as possible.