Emergency Dental Care
Northbrook, Illinois
A knocked-out tooth or a sports-related dental injury is an obvious emergency. But a dull, constant throb that keeps you from falling asleep can be just as urgent. When it comes to dental emergencies, the sooner you seek urgent care, the better the outcomes for your smile. At Northbrook Family Dental, we offer same-day appointments to provide you with prompt relief. Contact our Northbrook practice right away if you or a loved one needs urgent dental care.
Our Treatments
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
The following are some of the most common dental emergencies:
- A toothache that won't ease up with over-the-counter pain relievers
- A tooth that's cracked, chipped, or knocked out entirely
- Swelling in the face, jaw, or gums
- An injury to the lips, tongue, or gums
- A lost filling or crown that's left a tooth exposed
If you or a loved one experiences a dental emergency, call us to schedule a same-day appointment. If your emergency occurs outside our office hours, please reach out to our office for guidance. If your emergency is life-threatening, please call 911 for immediate assistance.
Tips for Handling Your Dental Emergency
The following are some tips for handling your dental emergency before seeing our emergency dentist:
Severe, Persistent Toothache: Persistent pain is often a sign of infection, so it's important to seek prompt care. Meanwhile, rinse with warm water, take over-the-counter pain medication, and apply cold compresses to the area to relieve pain or swelling.
Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth: Seeing a dentist within an hour offers the best chance of saving the tooth. After calling us, pick up the affected tooth by its crown, not the root, rinse it gently without scrubbing, and return it to its socket. If that's not possible, carry it in some milk or saliva to keep it moist. Note: We never attempt to reimplant a knocked-out baby tooth to avoid the risk of infection and damage to the underlying permanent tooth.
Cracked or Broken Tooth: Even small cracks can worsen quickly without treatment, so early care is key. Rinse with warm water and apply cold compresses if there is swelling. Save any broken pieces of the affected tooth and bring them to your emergency appointment.
Abscess or Facial Swelling: An abscess or facial swelling may be a sign of an infection that requires prompt attention. Use cold compresses and contact us for immediate care. If the swelling is severe, spreading, or accompanied by fever, confusion, difficulty swallowing, or trouble breathing, head to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Lost Crown or Filling: A lost crown or filling can leave the underlying tooth exposed and vulnerable to harmful bacteria. Use temporary dental cement or sugar-free gum to protect the area, and contact us to schedule an appointment.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Injury to the lips, tongue, or gums can cause significant bleeding, which you can help control with gentle, consistent pressure using a clean gauze. If you have heavy bleeding that continues for more than 15 to 20 minutes, head to your nearest emergency room.
What Can You Expect During Your Emergency Dental Appointment?
When you arrive at our Northbrook practice, we will begin immediate triage to assess your dental emergency and determine the most conservative dental treatment options to stabilize your condition and preserve your natural teeth. We may use modern dental diagnostic tools, such as digital X-rays or CBCT imaging, for accurate diagnoses and precise dental treatment planning.
Our team will outline a personalized dental treatment plan that may include one or a combination of the following:
- Medication to control pain and inflammation
- Antibiotics for treating an infection
- Stabilizing or splinting a loose or dislodged tooth
- Draining an abscess to relieve pain, pressure, and swelling
- Restorations, such as dental crowns to restore severely chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
- Repairing a dental restoration or an oral appliance
- Root canal therapy to save a tooth with inner pulp inflammation or infection
- Extracting a tooth that's damaged beyond repair
- A dental bridge or implant to restore your complete smile
At Northbrook Family Dental, your comfort is always our top priority. With our modern anesthetics, sedation dentistry options, and gentle, compassionate approach to your care, we strive to provide you with dental care that is as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
Emergency Dental Care Near Me in Northbrook, IL
If you need emergency dental care, our skilled and compassionate team at Northbrook Family Dental is here for you. We will evaluate your unique needs and determine the most conservative solutions to relieve your discomfort and save a damaged tooth whenever possible.
We invite you to call us at (847) 498-5970 to schedule your appointment or request one online today!
Ready To Schedule?
We Are Accepting New Patients.
Whether you are looking for a new dental home for your family, exploring your options for dental implants, or just overdue for a cleaning, we are here and ready to help. Give us a call to schedule your first appointment.