When to go to an Emergency Dentist for a Toothache

Emergency Dentist Lakewood, IL

A toothache is often the first sign that you need to visit the emergency dentist. If the toothache persists for more than a few days, you could be dealing with an infected tooth or worse. Without treatment, the situation may worsen and cause eventual tooth loss. The dentist will examine the tooth to learn the cause of the discomfort. Whether the pain is mild or severe, you can be sure of improved oral health and comfort at the end of the treatment.

Emergency visit for a toothache

Many patients often want to know when the pain they feel in their tooth counts as an emergency. The answer depends on certain factors. Someone dealing with bleeding or a knocked out tooth requires urgent attention and a trip to the dental office. Patients will need to store the tooth properly and keep it moist until the dentist can restore it to its position. To manage bleeding, apply pressure to the area to cause a blood clot in the tooth socket. Avoid postponing a trip to the emergency dentist if this is the case.

Tooth pain can occur in different forms, from a mild, dull ache to sharp, nagging pain. Pain should also mean sensitivity to touch and temperature. Patients need to understand that pain is not normal and certainly not something to endure. If pain continues for a while and reoccurs despite over-the-counter meds, a trip to the emergency dentist is necessary. An assessment will be important, especially if there are other symptoms like fever, loose teeth, swollen gums or jaw, dental abscess and difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Some dental issues can wait a while before a dental appointment, but it depends on the severity of the condition. While a chipped or cracked tooth may not exactly fall into the emergency category, it might be if the fracture causes pain. A toothache can wait if the pain is bearable, and there are no symptoms of infection. When the patient is unsure if the situation is an emergency, it is better to visit the dental office anyway and have the dentist address whatever concerns are present.

Avoiding a dental emergency

Many dental emergencies can be avoided by booking regular appointments with the dentist. Dental professionals do their best to keep the teeth healthy and free of cavities or decay. The patient will also get helpful tips on how to prevent dental emergencies from happening. The dentist may recommend getting a custom mouthguard to prevent damage to the teeth and oral tissues for those who engage in contact sports. Patients should also avoid biting or chewing on hard objects that can break their teeth.

Contact the emergency dentist

An emergency dental visit can solve much more than a toothache. You need to pay attention to your oral cavity and avoid ignoring the warning signs, which could mean something more serious. If you are dealing with a toothache and other symptoms like bleeding or inflammation, consider visiting the emergency dentist. They will find the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan to relieve pain.

Request an appointment here: https://www.leixdental.com or call Leix Dental at (815) 604-6104 for an appointment in our Lakewood office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Emergency Dentist in Lakewood, IL.

Recent Posts

General Dentistry: A Dentist Explains Why Fluoride Is Important For The Health Of Teeth

In general dentistry, fluoride treatments are common. Fluoride is a mineral found in bones and teeth, as well as water, plants, soil, rocks, and air. When used by dentists, fluoride strengthens tooth enamel. Therefore, dentists generally use fluoride as a preventative treatment against cavities. Additionally, fluoride can be found in most public water supplies. In…

Ask A General Dentist: What Might Happen If You Do Not Floss Regularly?

Not flossing regularly can increase the risk of developing oral health concerns, such as dental cavities and periodontal disease, so a general dentist encourages patients to floss several times a day and stick to a consistent oral care schedule to reduce the risk of oral health complications in the future. Flossing is essential to good oral…

How Often Does A General Dentist Recommend X-rays?

A general dentist might recommend that patients get x-rays during a dental appointment. X-rays serve many purposes in dentistry, from providing a closer look at the health of the oral cavity to checking a child’s bite alignment. Although certain factors necessitate the need for dental x-rays, there is a basic guideline used by general dentists…

Cosmetic Dental Services To Fix Teeth Crowding

Cosmetic dental services can transform a person's smile by treating oral health issues like teeth crowding. A cosmetic dentist will use whichever dental procedures benefit their patient. It is not uncommon for a cosmetic dentist to use orthodontics or restorative dentistry to improve a smile. The type of treatment that the dentist recommends will depend…

Recent Posts

Cosmetic Dental Services To Fix Teeth Crowding

Cosmetic Dental Services To Fix Teeth Crowding

Cosmetic dental services can transform a person's smile by treating oral health issues like teeth crowding. A cosmetic dentist will use whichever dental procedures benefit their patient. It is not uncommon for a cosmetic dentist to use orthodontics or restorative dentistry to improve a smile. The type of treatment that the dentist recommends will depend…

Cosmetic Dental Services For Multiple Teeth At Once

Cosmetic Dental Services For Multiple Teeth At Once

Certain cosmetic dental services like teeth whitening can be performed to address issues that affect multiple teeth at once.Let us look at a few of the cosmetic dental services that can be used to improve the aesthetics of more than one tooth simultaneously.Teeth whitening treatments are among the fastest ways to improve how a person’s…