Dental Emergency?

We Prioritize Dental Emergencies in Blue Island, Illinois

Dental emergency? Whether you are dealing with an excruciating toothache, knocked out tooth, or dental trauma, the team at Bright Smile Family Dental is here to help. We prioritize dental emergencies in Blue Island, Illinois. Most dental emergencies can be treated the same day. Get quick relief — call or visit Bright Smile Family Dental today!

Dental pain is surprisingly common. In fact, roughly 50% of U.S. adults will experience some form of tooth pain during any given calendar year. While not every toothache may require emergency care, you should at least have it checked by your dentist. Most toothaches unrelated to trauma are caused by inflammation resulting from infection, which requires intervention.

Signs of a Dental Emergency

Unsure if you have a dental emergency? Contrary to what you might expect, a dental emergency is not always easy to spot. Therefore, Bright Smile Family Dental has put together a short guide to help patients identify whether they have a dental emergency.

• Toothache. Sometimes a toothache turns out to be of no medical concern, but a toothache that lingers for several days usually indicates that an infection is present in or around the tooth. When bacteria finds its way to the tooth pulp or nerves, an inflammatory response kicks in. This inflamed tissue presses on the nerves which results in sensations of pain. If you have a toothache, you should have the tooth examined by a dentist. Here’s why.
  A tooth that elicits pain and then appears to resolve itself may mean the infection has progressed beyond nerve death. Therefore, even if it appears the tooth is better, you should still have it examined by a dentist. If the infection is allowed to progress, it can lead to tooth loss and other complications.
  A toothache is a dental emergency if the pain interferes with your sleeping habits or your daily routine. All toothaches warrant a checkup with your dentist.
• Knocked out tooth. An adult tooth that has become knocked out is a dental emergency. Outside of its socket, a tooth can survive for up to an hour. Therefore, if you have a knocked out tooth, you should visit a dentist as soon as possible. Read the guide further down on this page for information on what to do in the event of a knocked out tooth.
• Chipped tooth. If a significant portion of your tooth has become chipped, there still may be a chance it can be bonded back to the tooth. Bring the piece of tooth to your dentist office as soon as possible.
• Cracked tooth. A tooth with a significant crack can leave it exposed to bacterial infection. Severely cracked teeth are often treated with dental crowns.
• Lost filling or crown. The mouth is full of bacteria that can cause complications, especially if you have lost a restoration designed to keep out bacteria. If you have lost a filling or crown, visit your dentist as soon as possible.
• Abscess. An abscess is a growth on the surface of the gums, typically beside the root of the tooth. Abscesses can be life-threatening. If you discover an abscess, seek medical help as soon as possible.

Knocked Out Tooth? Follow These Tips.

If you have a knocked out tooth, follow these important tips to increase the chances the tooth can be saved:

• Only handle the tooth by the crown. You should refrain from touching the roots of the tooth; only handle the tooth by its crown.
• Don’t clean it. Cleaning the tooth can damage the sensitive nerve and root structures. Therefore, do not attempt to brush, rinse, or clean the tooth (even if it falls on a dirty surface).
• Transport it safely. If you can, place the tooth below your tongue or tuck it in your cheek. Alternatively, you can transport it in a glass of milk or a paper towel wetted with your saliva. The goal is to keep the tooth moist and at a pH similar to human saliva.
• Visit a dentist as soon as possible. Remember: You only have an hour to replace the tooth in its socket to save the tooth. If this occurs outside our normal office hours, you can also visit an urgent care center or emergency room.