What Is a Dental Emergency?

The idea of "dental emergencies" can sound strange to some people, but there are lots of moments when patients need immediate dental care and cannot wait for a regular appointment.

Knowing what is and is not a dental emergency can make all the difference for your smile. Check out the most common dental emergencies in Oak Park and learn what you should do if you experience one.

Common Types of Dental Emergencies 

A dental emergency is any situation where you’re either experiencing an extreme level of discomfort or may be at risk for unwanted complications or permanent tooth loss.

Here are some of the most common types of dental emergencies:

• Knocked-out or broken tooth: Swift oral care may successfully prevent tooth loss by reimplanting or bonding the tooth.‍
• Toothache: If the toothache is so bad that you cannot sleep or focus on other activities, then you need immediate attention. You are most likely dealing with a severe infection.
• ‍Dental abscess: An abscess is another sign of tooth infection. Left unchecked, infections can lead to tooth loss and even spread to other areas, such as the gums, jawbone, sinuses, and others.
• ‍Broken orthodontics: If you wear braces and the wires break, this could potentially lead to injury if the wires cut your tongue or cheek, or even affect your alignment therapy.
• ‍Broken prosthetics: If your bridge, dentures, crown, or any other prosthetic or treatment breaks or fails, you need immediate dental care to fix them.
• ‍Oral bleeding: This can have many different causes, but if the bleeding doesn’t go down on its own in a few hours and you notice other symptoms such as pain or swelling, then you most likely need to see a dentist as soon as possible.

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Here are the steps you should take if you or someone you know is experiencing a dental emergency:

• Stay calm and gather as much information about your dental emergency as you can.
• Call our team at (708) 524-0330 and we'll tell you what’s going on.
• Based on this conversation, we can help you decide if you need an emergency visit or not.
• You may receive some tips on how to deal with your dental issues on the spot, such as how to manage pain or what to do with a knocked-out tooth. Follow these instructions as closely as possible.
• Don’t skip your subsequent appointment, even if you’re feeling better and the dental issues appear to have disappeared.

Dealing With a Dental Emergency? Don't Wait

Dr. Brandon Murphy routinely sees patients through same-day appointments to allow them to overcome any dental emergency without long-term oral health consequences.

If you suspect you may have an oral health emergency, call us at (708) 524-0330 for more help.

For a regular appointment, you can request a visit to Murphy Dental Group, PLLC, online.