How to Handle a Dental Emergency
We understand that emergencies happen, and we also realize that you can’t afford to wait for treatment in these situations. If you’re experiencing any type of dental emergency, don’t hesitate to call us right away. Dr. Kong will make sure you get the care you need as quickly as possible at one of our dental offices.
We leave openings in our schedule every day to accommodate emergency appointments. No matter what type of dental issue you’re experiencing, Dr. Kong and our team can provide the relief you need.
Appointment Request Form
Helpful Tips From Dr. Kong
If a dental emergency occurs, it’s important that you don’t panic. Try your best to stay calm and think rationally. Most importantly, don’t attempt to address any issues yourself without calling us first. Dr. Kong or a member of our staff will guide you through the situation and help you figure out the best course of action.
In most cases, the best thing to do is simply wait until we can see you for an appointment. We’ve listed two of the most common dental emergencies below, along with tips for how to handle them.
Common Dental Emergencies
- Fractured Tooth — Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth can lead to a variety of oral health problems. If you experience this, call us right away and don’t attempt to fix the damage yourself.
- Severe toothache or jaw pain — If you’re in serious pain, we’ll prioritize your visit so we can isolate the cause of your symptoms. Then, Dr. Kong can provide an effective solution to eliminate your pain. While you wait for your appointment, you can use a cold compress and over-the-counter medications such as Ibuprofen to reduce your discomfort.
Emergency Dentistry in Kane and Cook County, IL
Don’t worry about whether you have an appointment — we’ll always take your call if you’re in pain, no matter how busy we are. If you need emergency dental care, call any of our three locations in Schaumburg and Elgin. Dr. Kong will make sure you receive prompt treatment that relieves your pain and protects your health.
Contact Us
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
What is considered a dental emergency?
Damage to teeth is one of the most common dental emergencies. With a knocked-out tooth, the sooner you get to our office, the greater the chance that the tooth can be saved. Gently pick up the tooth by the crown and transport it to our office in a container of milk. Sports-related tooth damage can often be prevented by one of our custom-fitted athletic mouthguards.
Depending on severity, persistent tooth pain or a toothache can be considered a dental emergency. Tooth infection is often accompanied by a fever, and this makes the emergency more pressing. A tooth abscess is a swollen pocket containing pus. Immediate treatment is necessary to keep the infection from spreading.
Broken or lost restorations such as fillings, crowns, or dentures should receive urgent care but they are not usually emergencies. We want to get you in as soon as possible to restore your smile, but they create more discomfort than imminent danger to your health.
How can I relieve tooth pain before my appointment?
If you have a toothache you can gently swish with a salt water rinse made from ½ t. salt and ½ c. warm water. If you think something lodged around your tooth is aggravating the pain, gently floss to remove it. An ice pack applied to the outside of the cheek can help reduce swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help control your discomfort.
What if I can’t afford emergency dental care?
Dr. Kong is an emergency dentist who understands that emergencies don’t wait to happen until you have budgeted for them. Please don’t put off treatment for a dental emergency because you are worried about payment! Untreated emergencies almost always turn into bigger, more expensive problems later on. Our Dental Savers Plan offers members a discount on emergency services. We also accept CareCredit® which is like a credit card for healthcare expenses. There are different plans available with options for zero or low-interest loans.
