What to do if You have a Dental Emergency

Jul 24 • 2 minute read

Dental injuries and severe discomfort due to decay or infection can cause significant distress. If left untreated, a dental emergency, which may have been corrected with a simple treatment, can lead to complex issues that require costly procedures to repair.

If you have a dental emergency near Glen Ellyn, IL call our office right away!

(630) 469-9515

When treating a dental emergency, our team focuses on alleviating pain as well as restoring function and beauty to your smile.

What to do Before Getting to The Dentist

Immediate attention is necessary for true dental emergencies, depending on your type of emergency, the following tips can help temporarily manage pain and preserve the tooth.

Dislodged or Knocked Out Tooth or Crown

If a tooth is completely knocked out, hold it by the top (crown), avoiding the root and connected fibers.  Gently rinse the tooth and carefully place it back into the socket as it was originally positioned. If this isn’t possible, or if the patient is a child, put the tooth in a glass of milk or some lightly salted water. Treatment for this kind of injury must be addressed immediately for a successful replantation. Call an emergency dentist or go directly to the emergency room.

Broken Tooth

A broken tooth can vary in urgency.  Rinse with salt water and apply gauze if there is any bleeding.  Do not use a topical pain reliever as it can burn.  If pain, swelling or bleeding persists or becomes unmanageable before an appointment with the dentist can be made, consider visiting the emergency room. Broken teeth typically cannot be bonded back together, and a porcelain crown is used to restore function and mimic the original tooth. Root canal therapy may also be necessary.

Toothaches and Abscesses

When experiencing a toothache, pain relief is the goal, until seeing the dentist.  Rinsing with lightly salted water, using a topical pain reliever, and if swelling occurs, applying a cold compress to the cheek can help reduce symptoms.

If you see raised spots around the gums at the root of a tooth, this may indicate an abscess. This condition is serious and should be treated by a dental or medical professional quickly.  Until then, rinse with salt water. Consider the emergency room if you can’t be seen by a dentist right away.

Problems with Restorations

Crowns and bridges can also become loose or dislodged. If a crown is loose, clean the area, apply some petroleum jelly, and replace the crown.  For a bridge, you can use dental cement available at drugstores, or even a piece of gum to keep it stable until your appointment. Call the dentist for an emergency appointment.

For Dental Emergencies in the Glen Ellyn Area, Contact DeLeon Family Dental Today

Don’t avoid receiving treatment for a dental emergency. Find relief and prevent further complications by calling Southland Dental, where we schedule same-day appointments for dental emergencies in Anaheim.

If you are experiencing a dental emergency in or around Glen Ellyn

Call Now!

(630) 469-9515

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Where to Find Us

Call: (630) 469-9515

542 Duane Street
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

Email: smile@deleonfamilydental.com