Emergency Dentistry and Emergencies Handled At Total Health Dental
While dental emergencies have the risk of catching you completely off-guard, they should never be ignored. It can increase the risk of permanent damage to the smile and expensive dental services down the road. If you are experiencing a dental emergency in Aurora, Illinois, our team at Total Health Dental encourages you to call right away to obtain a same-day appointment when possible, for emergency dental care.
What are some common examples of dental emergencies?
Below are a few of the more commonly noticed dental emergencies handled at Total Health Dental in Aurora, Illinois, with Dr. Khaja Mohsinuddin:
- Knocked-out teeth. Not only can a knocked-out tooth be quite painful, but it also needs immediate attention if patients want to increase the chance of reattaching the tooth. Stop the bleeding, maintain the tooth by holding it by the crown and rinsing it with water. Reinsert the tooth into the hole left behind if possible or store it in a small container of milk and visit the dentist within one hour of the incident.
- Broken/chipped teeth. Chipped or cracked teeth can usually be repaired with the help of a dentist. If the chipped fragment is still available, save it and bring it to the dental office. You can stop the bleeding with gauze until the dentist can assist the patient and repair the issue at hand.
- Dental bleeding. After an injury to the mouth or face, patients can either visit our emergency dental team or the local emergency room for assistance if bleeding persists. Even if the bleeding gets under control, the underlying issue will need to be addressed with the help of a dental professional.
- Broken wires or brackets of orthodontia. If a wire breaks or sticks out and causes discomfort, it is essential to call an emergency dentist for assistance to have the braces readjusted and replaced to restore their function. Avoid trying to cut the wire or reinsert it on your own, as you can cause further damage or even injury to yourself. A dental professional needs to manage situations such as this.
What do I do if I’m experiencing a dental emergency and require urgent dental treatments?
Dental emergencies need to be addressed by a dentist. Patients of the Aurora, Illinois area who require an emergency dentist can call (630) 822-9600 to request a same-day appointment with Dr. Khaja Mohsinuddin and his team at Total Health Dental. We are here for new and returning patients.
FAQs
What constitutes an emergency in dentistry?
Some dental issues, like misalignment or discoloration, can wait for the scheduled appointment. However, emergency dental care is required if your issue causes severe pain or poses an infection risk. A dental emergency is a condition that requires immediate attention, such as a severe toothache or broken or knocked-out tooth.
What is the most common dental emergency?
The most common dental emergency is a severe toothache, often caused by untreated cavities, dental infections, or trauma. Tooth pain is a sign that something is wrong with your mouth, and it requires prompt treatment to address the underlying issue.
Is a cavity a dental emergency?
A cavity occurs when plaque (oral biofilm) is left to thrive in your mouth. Plaque contains harmful bacteria that secrete acidic substances that erode the enamel over time. A cavity usually doesn’t qualify as an emergency unless it has progressed to cause severe pain, swelling, or abscess formation or poses a risk of tooth loss due to extensive decay.
In such cases, immediate treatment is necessary. Otherwise, a cavity causes unnecessary pain. Worse yet, the decay can progress and result in tooth infection and tooth loss.
What are the most common emergencies in the dental office?
Even with the best dental care, dental emergencies can happen. Here are the common dental emergencies we encounter in our dental office.
- Severe toothache: If you have stubborn pain that doesn’t subside with home remedies, schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist for pain relief.
- Knocked-out tooth: You can lose your tooth because of a direct blow to your mouth in a car or sports accident. Immediate care is needed to save the tooth.
- Broken or fractured teeth: Dental trauma or biting into a hard substance are the most common causes of tooth damage. A broken tooth causes pain, and the sharp edges can harm soft tissues.
- Dental abscess: A painful infection with swelling, often accompanied by fever or difficulty swallowing.
Why should you deal with a dental emergency quickly?
It’s natural to ignore a dental emergency, hoping it will improve. Unfortunately, dental emergencies worsen without professional care. Here are reasons you shouldn’t put off emergency dental care.
- Pain relief: Dental emergencies often cause severe pain. Quick action alleviates discomfort and prevents further suffering.
- Prevent infection: Delayed care can allow infections to spread, potentially leading to severe complications like sepsis.
- Save a tooth: Prompt treatment can save a knocked-out or damaged tooth. However, your avulsed tooth can successfully be re-implanted within a limited timeframe, usually within 60 minutes.
- Avoid further damage: Tackling problems early on helps avoid more extensive and expensive treatments later.
Can I prevent a dental emergency?
Dental emergencies can cause pain, panic, and frustration. While we have treatments to handle dental emergencies, you’d instead prevent them in the first place. Observe the following tips to avoid dental emergencies.
- Use fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth at least twice daily
- Floss your teeth at least once in a day
- Wear a customized mouthguard if you chronically grind (brux) your teeth
- Don’t use your teeth to bite or chew on anything other than food
- Wear a sports guard if you participate in contact and high-risk sports
- Adhere to bi-annual dental check-ups and cleanings
