How to Handle a Dental Emergency: Tips for When You Need Immediate Care

School will be out soon, and summer vacations are on the horizon. Dental emergencies in Lombard, IL are more common in the summertime when people head outdoors to enjoy time in the sunshine and participate in activities ranging from baseball to rock climbing. Unfortunately, dental emergencies seldom happen at convenient times, so knowing what to do when a dental emergency happens can be crucial to saving a tooth and preserving your oral health.

Knowing When It’s an Emergency

A dental emergency is when the severe damage to your teeth, jaw, or gums needs immediate attention from a doctor or dentist. You’ll usually know it’s an emergency because you are in severe pain or there is significant trauma to your teeth, gums, or jawbone. Common dental emergencies include chipped, cracked, or knocked-out teeth, a broken jaw, or severe lacerations of the gums, exposing the roots of the teeth.

Steps to Take in a Dental Emergency

Remember, in any dental emergency, staying calm and acting swiftly is key. Your quick response can significantly increase the chances of saving a damaged tooth. If your child is the one injured, take a moment to reassure them that the situation is manageable (dental injuries often involve bleeding, which can be scary) and follow these steps:

• Assess the severity of the damage. We are here to guide you on the next steps until we can see you. In most cases, we can arrange a visit within 24 hours. Even if it’s after hours, our answering service will connect you with Dr. Forcioli if necessary.
• Rinse the mouth with warm water and apply a clean cloth to control the bleeding. If the bleeding doesn’t stop after several rounds of applying pressure and soaks through the cloth, go to the emergency room you may need stitches.
• Warm (not hot) salt water swished around the mouth can reduce pain and inflammation.

Saving the Tooth

• If the tooth has been knocked out, pick it up by the crown and avoid contact with the roots. Rinse the roots with cool water to remove debris or dirt, but keep any tissue intact. If you can fit it back into the socket, bite down gently to keep it in place until Dr. Forcioli can see you. If you can’t, place it in a small container with milk to keep it moist and bring it to see Dr. Forcioli.
• If the tooth is broken, keep the broken portion in milk and bring it to Dr. Forcioli. Do not bite down on anything, as the exposed pulp may be painful, and biting down can cause further damage to the tooth. Instead, use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling and minimize pain.
• If a crown has popped off a tooth. You can protect the tooth by buying over-the-counter temporary cement from Walgreens or CVS and putting the crown back on the affected tooth to cover the exposed area until you can see Dr. Forcioli.

Forcioli Family Dentistry always prioritizes dental emergencies. If you are in severe pain from a broken, chipped, or cracked tooth, call our office, and we will make time to see you as soon as possible (often on the same day). The sooner we see you or your child, the more likely we can save your tooth. As always, the priority will be relieving the pain and protecting your oral health. Call our office at Lombard IL Cosmetic Dentistry Office Phone Number 630-627-1495 whenever you experience a dental emergency, and we will help.