Something happened to your mouth, and now you’re not sure if you should go to an emergency dentist or wait for an appointment during normal business hours. Seeking out dental care immediately in emergency situations can be the difference between keeping a tooth and losing one. Here are some tips for knowing when to go to an emergency dentist in Chicago or another city.
Knocked Out or Loose Tooth
If your tooth is either knocked out or loose, you definitely need to see an emergency dentist. For a knocked out tooth, try to pop it back into the socket and bite down on some gauze. If that doesn’t work, rinse dirt off the tooth while being careful not to rinse off tissue. Then put the tooth in a glass of milk on your way to the dentist. For a loose tooth, bite down gently to hold it into place until you get to the dentist.
Fractured or Chipped Tooth
A crack or fracture in your tooth means it might be damaged inside. Seek out an emergency dentist immediately. You can take some acetaminophen to treat pain until the appointment, but never put topical gel around it, as this can damage the gums. For a chip that isn’t severe, you can wait for an appointment during normal business hours. Be careful when you eat with a chipped tooth, so you don’t damage it further.
Pain or Bleeding
If you are in severe facial or mouth pain, seek emergency treatment. However, if the pain isn’t that bad, it can probably wait for normal business hours. To relieve pain, only take acetaminophen. If there is any wound in your mouth, or it’s otherwise bleeding, use gauze and pressure on the wound and seek out emergency care. Use a cold compress on the face for any pain or injury to reduce any swelling until you can get care.
