As we announced on our Facebook page, our office will be closed until April 7th in order to practice social distancing in light of the spread of COVID-19. However, in the case that you have a dental emergency, our team at Elk Grove Village Dentist will be ready to take care of you during this stressful time. In the following scenarios, consider calling our dentist serving Itasca for help with your dental emergency.
Your Tooth Is Knocked Out
In the case that your tooth is completely knocked out of its socket, you should aim to see a dentist as soon as possible. Doing so in a timely manner can make all of the difference in whether or not your tooth is salvageable. Make sure to pick up the tooth without touching its roots and gently rinse off any dirt/debris with an appropriate solution (make sure NOT to scrape or use anything but an appropriate liquid to clean the tooth). Ideally, speak to a dentist for instructions specific to your accident. If possible, gently place the tooth back in its socket; if you can’t do so, you can place the tooth in a small container of milk. The longer you wait to contact our dentist serving Itasca (or another available dentist or specialist), the less of a chance you have of the tooth being usable in your mouth.
Chipped or Fractured Tooth
It’s important to note that the severity of the chip or the crack will play a part in whether or not this is a dental emergency. Small chips or cracks may not require immediate attention from a dental professional, but it’s important that you keep an eye on the damage to ensure it doesn’t get worse. If the chip or crack is severe or causing pain or swelling, you’ll want to seek professional help as soon as possible. Depending on the specific injury, you may need a root canal, a crown or an implant-supported bridge.
Soft Tissue & Facial Injuries
Lacerations, puncture wounds or tears to the lips, cheeks, tongue or mouth as a whole are considered to be a dental emergency. Mouth wounds open up the possibility of turning into an infection and should be dealt with as soon as possible.
We understand that this is an unprecedented time, but if we all do our part, we can make strides toward resolution. In the case that you need assistance please contact our office and we can review the current American Dental Association guidelines on whether or not it is a true dental emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic.
