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Where Can You Go for Emergency Dental Care?

IVANHOE Dental Group • July 26, 2022

Did you know that more than 120 million people in the United States alone are missing at least one tooth? Loose and missing teeth are one of many dental emergencies that need treatment as soon as possible. When it comes to emergency dental care, the key is to act fast, otherwise, the consequences could be detrimental to your dental health and in some cases, the results could even be life-threatening. 

But what is a dental emergency and where should you go if you need immediate dental treatment? Should you go to your local dentist in Riverdale IL, or should you go somewhere else? Keep reading and learn more about emergency dentistry below.

What You Need to Know About Emergency Dental Care

There are many types of dental emergencies to consider and some need to be treated more urgently than others.

The signs of a dental emergency are usually quite obvious and pain is one of the most common side effects. In general, a dental emergency involves some kind of damage or injury to your teeth that could be life-threatening if a dentist or other medical professional does not treat the problem right away. 

For example, suppose that you have an infected tooth but have put off going to the dentist for quite a while. After some time, the pain of the infection becomes unbearable and the infection starts to spread to the rest of your mouth. This is a dental emergency because if the tooth infection continues to spread, it could reach the rest of your body and become a life-threatening problem. 

Another type of dental emergency may involve the excessive loss of blood. For example, suppose you are in a car accident and your mouth is so damaged that uncontrolled bleeding results. Excessive loss of blood can also be life-threatening in some cases, especially if you have a health condition that makes it more difficult for your blood to clot on its own. 

Other Types of Dental Emergencies 

There are also some dental emergencies that are not life-threatening. For example, getting your tooth knocked out is a dental emergency. If you hurry to the dentist, you can still save the tooth. 

This is because the nerves inside the tooth will still be intact. As long as you get to the dentist in time, the dentist should be able to restore your tooth. If you were to make an ordinary dentist appointment for this problem, you would not have enough time to save your tooth. 

Some dental emergencies result from previous dental procedures. For example, if you have recently gotten a tooth extracted, you may end up with dry-socket. This can be detrimental to your dental health and it needs immediate treatment. 

The same goes for infections that result from certain dental procedures. In general, anything that involves an infection requires treatment as soon as possible. If you put off getting a dental infection treated, the infection can spread to the rest of your body and cause serious problems for your health. 

Where to Go for Emergency Dental Care

Some dental practices are capable of providing emergency dental services while others are not. For that reason, you will want to look around at the dental practices in your area and see which ones offer emergency services. This shouldn't be too difficult since many dental practices these days offer emergency dental care. 

However, if there is not a viable dental practice near you, you can always go to your nearest hospital. The hospital staff should have all the equipment necessary to mend most dental emergencies such as dental infections or blood loss. But if you can, it is usually better to go to a professional dentist. 

A dentist will be prepared to treat a dental emergency more efficiently than the staff in a hospital. Once you go in for an emergency dental procedure, your dentist will work fast to treat the problem at hand. If you are in a lot of pain, your dentist will likely give you something to numb the pain such as a local anesthetic. 

What You Need to Know

The treatment you get will depend on what kind of dental emergency you're dealing with. For example, if you have a bad tooth infection, your dentist may need to remove the affected tooth or perform a root canal. On the other hand, if you have had a tooth knocked out of your mouth, your dentist will work hard to place the tooth back into its socket so that the tooth remains alive. 

If you're wondering when to go to an emergency dentist, the signs should be quite obvious. For example, if you have a persistent toothache that has only been getting worse and worse, it is important that you go to a dentist. You could be dealing with an infection and if you don't get it treated fast, it could become a very serious problem for your teeth and overall health. 

If you suffer any trauma to your teeth such as chips, cracks, or tooth loss, you should act fast and go to the dentist to have your teeth restored before it is too late. Getting emergency dental treatment can help save you from having to get more dental procedures later on. 

All About Emergency Dental Care

Emergency dental care from your dentist in Riverdale IL, is no joke. If you don't get a dental emergency treated right away, you'll find that your dental health and even your overall health will suffer greatly. Fortunately, our dental practices offer emergency services and can fix whatever problem you have in no time. 

To learn more or book a consultation, click here.

By Ivanhoe Dental Group February 23, 2025
As people get older, the average number of missing teeth increases from 0.7 at ages 20-34 to 3.8 at ages 50-64, according to the CDC's 2024 Oral Health Surveillance Report . This shocking statistic stresses the importance of taking care of your teeth at every stage of life. Tooth loss can make eating difficult, impact speech, and lower self-confidence. By following expert advice, you can keep your teeth strong and healthy for life. Simple daily routines, regular dental check-ups, and smart food choices all play a role in preventing tooth loss . Discussed below are these tips in detail. Brush and Floss Daily Dr. Marko Vujicic of the ADA (American Dental Association) Health Policy Institute believes that a golden era of oral health is coming because of the convergence of trends. This means that more people have a chance to take better care of their teeth, and you can be one of them by following simple daily habits. Brushing the teeth at least twice a day with dentist-recommended fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day are simple habits you can adopt. If you don't brush and floss, plaque builds up, leading to bad breath, cavities, and gum infections. Gum disease doesn't always cause pain at first, so many people don't realize they have it until it's too late. However, a good oral hygiene routine can prevent this problem and improve dental health. It's also important to use the right brushing and flossing technique. Brush gently in small circles to clean every tooth, and floss carefully to reach between them. A soft-bristled toothbrush works best because it cleans well without hurting your gums. Use a Mouthwash With Fluoride As a key ingredient in mouthwash, fluoride helps repair weak enamel and prevent cavities. Many mouthwashes also fight bacteria that cause gum disease and bad breath. Selecting a dentist-recommended option ensures you receive the most effective protection for your oral health. For best results, use mouthwash at a different time than brushing so the fluoride from your toothpaste stays on your teeth longer. Swish it gently around the mouth for about 30 seconds, and don't rinse with water right after. This simple habit makes a big difference in keeping your teeth strong. Embrace a Tooth-Friendly Diet What you eat affects your teeth. Choosing the right foods can keep your teeth healthy for life. Some of the tooth-friendly foods you can add to your strong teeth diet include: Milk, cheese, and yogurt contain calcium that reinforces dental structure Spinach, kale, and other dark leafy vegetables deliver essential nutrients for healthy gums Crisp produce like apples, carrots, and celery naturally scrub teeth while eating Mineral-rich nuts and seeds offer protection against enamel deterioration Eating these foods can help you avoid cavities and gum disease . Figure out those that your body can tolerate and experiment with different recipes to make eating fun. Either way, a healthy diet also benefits your overall health, keeping you strong and energized. Stay Hydrated A dry mouth allows bacteria to grow, causing bad breath, gum disease, and decay. Even worse, sugary drinks like soda and juice can make things worse by feeding the bacteria that cause cavities. Choosing water instead of sugary drinks helps prevent tooth decay and keep your teeth strong. Fluoridated water adds even more protection by strengthening enamel. Drinking water throughout the day also helps your body produce saliva, which naturally fights bacteria. It's one of the simplest and most accessible ways to keep your smile healthy. Avoid Smoking and Alcohol Excessive smoking and drinking can harm your teeth and gums. These habits increase plaque, stain teeth, and increase gum disease risk. If you drink or smoke, quit or cut back as part of the natural ways to strengthen teeth and keep them longer. Smoking reduces blood flow to your sensitive gums, making healing from infections harder. On the other hand, alcohol dries out your mouth, which allows bacteria to grow and cause decay. Together, they make it much easier for gum disease to develop and lead to tooth loss. The effects of smoking and alcohol go beyond just your mouth. You may develop serious health problems such as oral cancer. Making healthier choices now will benefit your teeth and your overall well-being. Protect Your Teeth Protecting your teeth from cracks, chips, and wear is important for keeping them strong. Simple precautions now can save you from expensive dental work later. Here are some oral hygiene tips to observe: Use a nightguard if you grind your teeth while sleeping Wear a high-quality sports mouthguard if you play contact sports Avoid chewing hard objects, including ice, pens, or popcorn kernels Be mindful of clenching your jaw, and try to relax your facial muscles A little protection goes a long way in preventing broken or worn-down teeth . It can help you avoid dental problems in the future. Visit Your Dentist Regularly Seeing a dentist every six months helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. The checkups involve professional cleanings to remove plaque and exams to catch small problems before they become serious. They can help you avoid painful and expensive dental treatments when done regularly. A study funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) found that when doctors talk to parents about oral health, children are more likely to see a dentist . The study showed that quick oral exams and referrals during medical checkups helped parents take better care of their children's teeth. This proves that good dental habits start early and can make a lifelong difference. Skipping dentist visits allows plaque and gum disease to get worse over time . By not going, you won't get personalized advice on oral care. So, keeping up with dental visits can benefit your smile. Preventing Tooth Loss: Simple Steps for Long-Term Oral Health Preventing tooth loss is achievable with simple daily habits. Brushing, flossing, consuming healthy foods, and visiting the dentist all help keep your teeth strong. Take care of your teeth now to enjoy a healthy smile for years. At Ivanhoe Dental Group, we help people keep their teeth strong and healthy. If you need a trusted dentist in Riverdale, IL, we're here for you. Call (708) 607-6854 or book an appointment online now.
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