Emergency Dental Care for Children & Adolescents
If your child is experiencing dental pain or has an oral injury, visit our emergency dentist in Oak Lawn as soon as possible. Whether they have a bad cavity or cracked a tooth while playing sports, emergency care can help restore their dental health.
You can trust Chicago kiDDS Pediatric Dentistry to see your child on short notice. We will provide prompt instructions on how to handle the situation until you can get into the office. We also offer same-day dental care and numerous restorative procedures.
Please call us immediately at (708) 448-6700 if your child needs an emergency appointment in Oak Lawn, IL.
Identifying a Dental Emergency
Despite how hard we try to prevent our children from getting injured, accidents do happen. When your child suffers a dental injury, it can be frightening. Being prepared and knowing what to do in these situations can help you stay calm and protect your child’s oral health.
When an injury occurs, it’s important to know whether the situation requires an ER visit or an emergency dentist appointment. Many minor injuries can be treated at home. If your child is in pain or they’ve damaged a permanent tooth, seek medical assistance.
When in doubt, reach out to Chicago kiDDS Pediatric Dentistry so we can help you determine your next steps.
Common Dental Emergencies & How To Address Them
Toothaches
Toothaches can be caused by cavities, infections, or dental trauma. If your child complains of a toothache, apply a cold compress to the area to help reduce swelling and pain.
Schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. If your child has a cavity or infection, it’s important to treat it quickly to protect their oral health.
Injured Lip, Tongue, or Cheek
If your child has injured soft oral tissue, such as the cheeks, lips, or tongue, you can apply ice to reduce bruising and swelling. If your child is bleeding, apply firm (but gentle) pressure to the area. Bring your child to the emergency room if bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes.
Broken Brackets or Wires
If your child has braces, broken or loose brackets and wires are common. Fortunately, they’re rarely something that requires immediate attention.
If possible, remove the broken part of the braces to avoid a choking hazard or other injury. If any piece of the broken appliance is painful or sharp, use something to cover the edges, such as chewing gum or cotton. Then, schedule an appointment with your dentist.
Broken Tooth
If your child has chipped, cracked, or broken a tooth, schedule an appointment with our Oak Lawn emergency dentist. Collect any broken tooth fragments and bring them to your appointment. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling around the affected area until you can reach the dentist.
Knocked Out Tooth
If your child prematurely loses a baby tooth, you can schedule an appointment for a check-up. Typically, there is little to do when a baby tooth falls out, even unexpectedly. However, a knocked out adult tooth requires immediate attention.
Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (not the root end). Rinse it under warm water without handling it too much. Then, try reinserting the tooth into its socket.
If you can’t reinsert it, use a clean cloth to hold it in place until you reach the dentist. You may also put the tooth in a small container of milk for transport.
Excessive Bleeding After Losing a Baby Tooth
Bleeding after losing a baby tooth is normal and can be stemmed by applying gentle pressure to the area. However, if the bleeding does not cease after 15 minutes, you should seek emergency medical care.
Object Caught Between Teeth
Sometimes, floss isn’t enough to dislodge a piece of food or other object that gets stuck between teeth or under the gumline. In such cases, your dentist may need to remove the object before it leads to further pain, infection, or becomes a choking hazard.
Gingival & Tooth Abscesses
A dental abscess can be extremely painful and damaging to a patient’s oral health. If left untreated, they can even be life-threatening. Some signs of a dental abscess can include a sore jaw, fever, tooth pain, or an inflamed bump on the gum tissue.
Contact our children’s emergency dentist if you’re concerned your child has a tooth or gingival abscess.
Lost or Damaged Dental Restorations
A damaged tooth restoration, such as a filling or crown, can put your child’s smile at risk. If a dental restoration has come loose, fallen out, or cracked, set up a dental appointment. The affected tooth will be vulnerable to injury and decay until the restoration is fixed.
Pediatric Dentists in Oak Lawn for Emergency Dentistry
If you’re searching for an “emergency kids’ dentist near me” in Oak Lawn, IL, contact Chicago kiDDS. Our team is always here for your family if and when you find yourselves in the middle of a dental emergency.
Why Choose Us
We address all types of oral health concerns and offer comprehensive urgent care. That means you can depend on our dentists for everything from damaged tooth repair to cavity treatment. We also provide preventative dentistry services, like sealants, X-rays, and exams and dental cleanings in Oak Lawn, IL.
Please contact our dental professionals to schedule a same-day appointment!
