Call emergency dentist Dr. Dhara Patel at Best Dental Spa for emergency dentistry treatment in Hoffman Estates, IL, at 847.660.6603.
During business hours, you can call our office to discuss your concerns and schedule an appointment. If your emergency occurs after hours, call our office number, and our answering service will help you contact the dentist on call. We can work with you to find a solution that addresses the damage and treat your symptoms. Dental emergencies are one of the general dentistry services we provide to the public in Hoffman Estates, IL.
Emergency Dentistry Services in Hoffman Estates, IL
Our office can receive a fair amount of dental emergencies that often fall under these categories:
- A chipped or fractured tooth
- Tooth abscess
- Dental infection
- Knocked out a permanent tooth
- Severe toothache
- Broken or lost dental restoration
We can work with patients of all ages to help them restore their smiles. Our professional team:
- Fights tooth infections
- Treats gum swelling
- Provides emergency tooth extraction
- Relieves tooth pain
- Provides dental implants
- Repairs chipped, cracked, or fractured teeth
- Replaces broken dental fillings and crowns
Our office will provide efficient treatment if you require urgent dental care. When you visit our office, we will fully examine your mouth and may take X-rays as needed to diagnose your problem. Based on your symptoms, budget, and goals, we will personalize your emergency dentistry treatment in our Hoffman Estates, IL office.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Contact our office for advice about dental trauma or a dental emergency. In the meantime, you can help manage a sudden dental problem at home. Below, we will answer several commonly asked questions about dental emergencies:
What do I do if I have a dental emergency?
Call Dr. Patel’s office at 847.660.6603 to seek immediate treatment. If you are experiencing a dire emergency, dial 911.
What do I do if I am feeling severe tooth pain?
You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever to improve your symptoms. If pain persists, schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel. Apply a cold compress at home on the outside of the cheek if you are experiencing swelling.
What do I do if I break a tooth?
If you have just broken a tooth, gently rinse your mouth with warm water. Take pain medication and apply gauze to your tooth if you experience bleeding. If any pieces of your tooth fall on the ground, collect them and gently rinse them in water. You can bring pieces of your broken tooth to our office.
We often recommend dental bonding treatment if you have a small chip in your tooth. Our office will recommend dental crowns for large tooth fractures or teeth that break in half. However, if you have a severe break in your tooth that reaches the dental pulp, we may need to remove your tooth.
What do I do if my tooth gets knocked out?
If possible, retrieve the lost tooth and contact our office immediately. Lightly rinse the tooth and place it in a cup of saliva or milk for transport to us. Preserving a tooth like this increases the chance it’s viable for replacement. If we cannot rescue the tooth, we may recommend dental implants, bridges, dentures, or partials.
What do I do if my dental crown or filling breaks or falls out?
Contact our office, and Dr. Patel can construct and fit you with a new dental restoration. Do not attempt to re-glue your restoration or reach your crown or filling because you can damage your teeth.
What do I do if my denture or dental bridge breaks?
Schedule an appointment at our office and bring the broken appliance if possible. Do not try to place the denture or bridge back in your mouth. Dr. Patel will help determine the best treatment plan for replacing the appliance.
What is Not A Dental Emergency?
Several dental problems are not considered an emergency. We will work with you to schedule an appointment if you have these problems so we may help you.
- Object stuck between your teeth: Do not use sharp objects to try to remove the object, as this may damage the tooth or gums. Gently floss between the teeth to see if this can remove the object. Contact our office if you can not remove the object.
- Bleeding gums: In most cases, bleeding gums when you brush or floss means you have gum inflammation. This problem is easily reversible with a good oral hygiene routine and regular dental visits. We recommend scheduling a cleaning if you experience bleeding gums. However, if you injure your gum tissues and continue to bleed, you may need emergency care.
- Dull tooth pain: Severe toothaches are emergencies. However, you can wait for an exam if you have minor tooth pain. Contact our office if you have a dull toothache. We will consider any other symptoms to determine when you need an exam.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
In most cases, you cannot prevent a dental emergency. Knocking out or breaking a tooth is often not preventable. However, in some cases, you can stop dental emergencies before they happen. We recommend following these tips to protect against tooth damage, loss, and infection:
- Treat TMJ Disorders: If you experience teeth clenching and grinding due to TMD, continual pressure on your teeth can increase the risk of dental injuries. Severe teeth grinding can chip or crack your teeth. Get a night guard to protect your teeth and lessen related symptoms, including headaches and jaw pain.
- Wear a Sports Mouthguard: You can break or knock out a tooth during contact sports. Wearing a custom athletic mouthguard can absorb shock from hits to the mouth, reducing the risk of dental emergencies.
- Brush and Floss Properly: Thoroughly brushing and flossing twice daily helps lower your risk of cavities, gum disease, or dental abscess. If you use a manual toothbrush, rotate it in circular motions. Electric toothbrushes will rotate for you. Floss before brushing for a better clean. This will help the active ingredients in your toothpaste reach between your teeth.
- Visit the Dentist Regularly: There are many causes of tooth pain. However, tooth decay or a dental abscess are some of the most common. We can remove harmful bacteria and food debris from the mouth during regular dental visits. We can recommend prompt treatment if we find any signs of tooth decay.
Creating a Dental Emergency Kit
An emergency dentistry kit is essential to help manage dental issues at home until you can see a dentist. While it’s not a replacement for professional care, having the right items on hand can help ease pain, prevent further damage, and handle unexpected situations like a broken tooth or a lost filling.
1. Start with the Basics
Begin by gathering basic first-aid supplies that can double as dental care items. Include sterile gauze pads and cotton balls, which are useful for controlling bleeding or cushioning a sore area. Disposable gloves are also important to keep the process clean and hygienic when handling oral injuries.
A small mirror with a handle can help you or someone else examine the problem area in your mouth. Tweezers are handy for removing small objects stuck between teeth, such as food debris or broken fragments. Be sure to include a flashlight to improve visibility when checking for issues in hard-to-see spots.
2. Pain Relief Essentials
Dental pain can be intense, so your kit should include supplies to manage discomfort. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce pain and swelling. A tube of over-the-counter oral numbing gel, such as one containing benzocaine, provides targeted relief for toothaches or gum irritation.
Cold packs are another must-have for reducing swelling and soothing pain caused by injuries like a knocked-out tooth or trauma to the jaw. Include instant cold packs for convenience, especially if you’re away from home.
3. Temporary Fixes for Dental Issues
Emergency dentistry kits should include items for quick, temporary fixes. For example, dental or orthodontic wax can protect soft tissues from the sharp edges of broken teeth or braces. Include tooth-saver solutions, such as saline or a specialized tooth-preservation kit, to keep a knocked-out tooth moist until you reach a dentist. If you don’t have these on hand, milk can also be used as a temporary preservation method.
4. Oral Hygiene Supplies
Good oral hygiene is important, even in an emergency. Pack a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste in your kit. Dental floss or interdental brushes are essential for cleaning between teeth if something gets stuck. Also, include an alcohol-free mouthwash to rinse the mouth and reduce bacteria.
5. Additional Tools and Tips
Add a small notebook and pen to your kit to document details about the dental emergency, such as the time of the incident or symptoms. This information can be helpful when speaking with your dentist. Keep a list of emergency dental contacts and their phone numbers in your kit for quick access.
6. Keep the Kit Accessible
Store your emergency dentistry kit in a sturdy, portable container, and keep it in an easily accessible place at home or in your car. Check your kit regularly to replace expired items and replenish supplies.
IF YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS, CONTACT US:
(224)293-6282
