Tooth pain has a way of showing up at the worst possible moment. A cracked tooth at dinner, a throbbing ache that wakes you at two in the morning, a knocked-out tooth at a kid’s soccer game. When it happens, the first question is usually the same: is this something that needs to be seen today, or can it wait?
At Parkway Dental Care, we keep room in our schedule for emergencies and do our best to see Arlington Heights and Rolling Meadows patients the same day. Here is how to tell what needs urgent attention, and what to do while you wait.
Call us today if you have any of these
These situations are true dental emergencies. Call as early as you can so we can prepare for your visit:
- A knocked-out or loose adult tooth
- A cracked, chipped, or broken tooth
- Severe or throbbing tooth pain
- Swelling in your gums, jaw, or face
- Bleeding that will not stop
- A lost crown, filling, or dental restoration
- Something stuck between your teeth that you cannot remove
If you are dealing with heavy bleeding, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a serious facial injury, go to the emergency room first. Those situations need medical care before dental care.
What to do before you get here
A knocked-out tooth
Time matters most here. Pick the tooth up by the crown, the part you normally see, not the root. Rinse it gently with water without scrubbing it. If you can, place it back in the socket and hold it there. If not, keep it in a small container of milk and bring it with you. Call us right away.
A broken or cracked tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water and save any pieces you can find. A cold compress on the outside of your cheek helps with swelling. Avoid chewing on that side until we see you.
Severe tooth pain
Rinse with warm salt water and use a cold compress. An over-the-counter pain reliever can help in the meantime. Do not put aspirin directly on the tooth or gums, it can burn the tissue.
A lost crown or filling
Keep the crown if you still have it and bring it in. Avoid chewing on that tooth, since the exposed surface underneath can be sensitive and is more vulnerable to damage.
What can usually wait a day or two
Not everything is an emergency, and that is good news. Mild sensitivity to hot or cold, a small chip that is not painful, or a dull ache that comes and goes can usually be handled at a regular appointment. That said, do not ignore it, small problems are far easier and less costly to fix early than late.
Why same-day care matters
With dental problems, waiting rarely makes things better. An infection can spread, a crack can deepen, and a tooth that could have been saved on Monday may not be savable by Friday. That is exactly why we hold time in our schedule for urgent visits, so you are not stuck waiting weeks in pain.
One of our patients put it well after shattering their teeth late at night: Dr. Song got them in and rebuilt the tooth the next day, and they made it to work the same day.
Learn more on our emergency dental care page, or read more patient experiences on our reviews page. If you are in pain right now, call us at (847) 259-5600.