Emergency Kid’s Dentist – Naperville, IL

Immediate Dental Care When Your Child Needs It

As your child grows, there is bound to be an instance that a dental injury occurs and a trip to the emergency dental office is required. Because these situations can occur at the most inopportune time, we offer same-day appointments for young dentistry patients experiencing serious dental trauma. You can simply call and alert us to the situation, so we can work quickly to schedule an appointment with our trusted emergency kid's dentist in Naperville, IL. In the meantime, our dental team will be happy to provide helpful tips to manage the pain and prevent further harm.

Why Choose G&G Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for Emergency Kid’s Dentistry?

  • Sedation Dentistry Available
  • Safe, Digital X-Rays Used for Enhanced Diagnostic Imaging
  • Same-Day Emergency Appointments

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Pediatric dentist talking to child during emergency kid's dentistry visit

At G&G Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we are committed to helping your child achieve relief from the pain as quickly as possible. This is why you can expect the following:

  • Same-day emergency appointment: When calling our pediatric dental office to set up a same-day appointment, a member of our team will evaluate the situation based on your explanation. We’ll work to fit your child into our schedule and provide helpful first aid tips to keep them more comfortable in the meantime.
  • Thorough examination: Once you reach our pediatric dental office, Dr. Cory will work quickly to take digital X-rays and examine their smile to determine the underlying cause of the emergency as well as the extent of the damage.
  • Review findings: Cory will then compile all the images and findings to create a personalized treatment plan and go over the recommended services that are needed to improve the status of your child’s smile.
  • Eliminate the pain: After an agreement is reached regarding the treatment plan, we will work to eliminate the pain your child is experiencing and address the root cause of the problem. In no time at all, we will have them smiling once again and free of any discomfort.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Knowing your child is in pain is never something a parent wants to endure. All you can think about is how to help. This is why we recommend that you call our kid-friendly dental office any time your little one expresses severe dental discomfort. Even if it is not something that is viewed as a dental emergency, it is better that we evaluate the issue than hope that it goes away on its own. But should your child experience any of the below issues, make sure to give our pediatric dental office a call.

Toothaches  

Is My Child's Toothache a Dental Emergency? The easiest way to tell is by assessing their symptoms. For example, if they have been dealing with a sharp, stabbing pain when they bite down for several days now, then you should call our Naperville dental team ASAP to schedule an appointment with Dr. Cory or Dr. Nicole.

How You Should Handle Your Child's Toothache There are a few steps we recommend taking, starting with calling us to schedule an appointment. Outside of that, use a cold compress to help alleviate inflammation and ask your child not to chew on that side of their mouth. If necessary, you can also give your child OTC pain medication for kids.

How We Treat Toothaches in Children Toothaches often stem from untreated tooth decay. Fortunately, we provide several restorative treatments at our office, including tooth-colored fillings and pulp therapy.

Cracked Tooth  

Is My Child's Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? A cracked tooth warrants an emergency visit for two reasons: the tooth is at risk of breaking further, and it’s possible for an infection to develop. So, if your child has a crack in their enamel, it’s important that you call us ASAP – even if the damage seems relatively minor.

How You Should Handle Your Child's Cracked Tooth Make sure that they don’t chew on that side of their mouth, especially crunchy, acidic, or sugary foods. It’s also important that they avoid doing anything that can lead to further damage, like touching the tooth with their finger or chewing on ice cubes.

How We Treat Children's Cracked Teeth Fortunately, cracked teeth can usually be saved. If the damage is so severe that it’s beyond repair, then we will carefully extract it and discuss the next best steps, like using a space maintainer to prevent dental drift.

Chipped Teeth  

Is My Child's Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? While we do recommend calling us if your child chipped a tooth, a same-day visit to our office may not be necessary, especially if the damage is relatively minor and they aren’t struggling with considerable discomfort or sensitivity.

How You Should Handle Your Child's Chipped Tooth First, have them rinse their mouth (gently!) with clean, room-temperature water. Then, cover the sharp edge with dental wax or sugar-free gum to protect the soft tissue in their mouth from getting cut and their tooth from breaking further.

How We Treat Children's Chipped Teeth The treatment we recommend will depend on a few factors, including the type of tooth that was damaged. That said, cosmetic dental bonding is usually an option, especially if the chip is relatively minor.

Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth

Is a Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A dislodged adult tooth is at immediate risk of being permanently lost, so we must address the problem at our Naperville office as soon as possible. The tooth’s chances of being successfully reimplanted will begin to fall after about thirty minutes, so it’s important to call us quickly.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth

Find and secure the tooth while handling it only by the crown portion. If it is dirty, you can rinse it by swishing it about in lukewarm water, but do not use hot, cold, or running water or any cleaning agents like soap. Do not scrub the tooth. If possible, place the tooth back in the child’s socket for the journey to our office. Otherwise, store it in a small, clean container with milk or saliva. If you have an American Dental Association-approved tooth preservation kit, it can keep the tooth in savable condition for up to twenty-four hours.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Permanent Teeth 

We will always try to reimplant a knocked-out permanent tooth if possible. We can do this by reinserting it into the socket so it can gradually reintegrate with the jaw and gum tissue over several months. However, we may have to discuss an appropriate restoration if the tooth cannot be saved.

Knocked-Out Baby Tooth

Is a Knocked-Out Baby Tooth a Dental Emergency?

While baby teeth are supposed to fall out on their own, losing one too early can set your child up for future alignment issues. If you suspect that one of your child’s primary teeth was lost due to infection or injury, we’ll be happy to see them for a brief appointment so we can make sure that their gums and remaining teeth are in good condition.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Baby Tooth

Instruct your child to rinse their mouth with water and control any bleeding with tissue paper. If your kid experiences pain, you can hold an ice pack against the outside of their teeth for ten minutes at a time after bleeding stops. If necessary, you can give your child an appropriate over-the-counter pain reliever. It’s best to have them refrain from eating or drinking anything that is sugary, sticky, acidic, hard, or crunchy until we can see them at our office.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Baby Teeth

After we evaluate your child’s mouth in our office, we will be able to determine if any action must be taken to protect their oral health. In many cases, we won’t need to do anything. However, we may need to repair the neighboring teeth or take measures to ensure that the loss doesn’t cause future dental misalignments.

Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek

Is a Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek an Emergency?

Soft tissue injuries inside the mouth can be quite alarming since they often bleed a lot and cause a lot of discomfort. While this problem can usually be treated at home, we may need to address the issue in our office if the wound is especially severe.

How You Should Handle Your Child's Soft Tissue Injury

Start by cleaning the wound gently with water while applying pressure through gauze to reduce the bleeding. You can address pain and swelling with a cold compress if necessary.

How We Treat Soft Tissue Injuries in Children 

We’ll begin by inspecting your child’s mouth to assess the damage. If necessary, we can stitch the wound shut and provide you with instructions for caring for it. However, head to the emergency room if the bleeding does not stop after ten minutes.

Dental Concussion

 Is my child’s dental concussion an emergency?  Yes - a dental concussion is when your child’s tooth has been knocked out of place, but hasn’t fallen out of their mouth. It’s a more common occurrence with children who play high-contact sports.

How you should handle your child’s dental concussion: Tell your child to gently rinse their mouth with a salt water mixture to dislodge bacteria and debris. Then apply a cold compress to the area or give them OTC pain relievers if they’re sore. Most importantly, make sure your child doesn’t poke and prod at their tooth!

How we treat dental concussions in children: Teeth that are only mildly concussed will sometimes slide back into place on their own. In more severe cases, we’ll have to treat the tooth with a splint, orthodontics, or extraction. Note that depending on the exam and X-ray results, your child may also need pulp therapy.

Sensitive Teeth

Are my child’s sensitive teeth an emergency? While tooth sensitivity is common in adults, it usually indicates that something’s wrong for children. We consider this a pediatric dental emergency – your child may have a cavity, infection, or enamel damage.

How you should handle your child’s sensitive teeth: Until we can determine the root cause of your child’s sensitivity, have them brush their teeth with a desensitizing toothpaste. You can also give them OTC pain relievers if necessary.

How we treat sensitive teeth in children: Depending on the situation, your child may simply need a fluoride treatment or dental sealants. If the problem is more severe, then we’ll treat the issue with a filling, crown, pulp therapy, or bruxism nightguard.

Learn More About Fluoride Treatments, Dental Sealants, and Fillings

Lost Filling/Crown

Is my child’s lost filling or crown an emergency? It’s generally safe to go a day or two without a crown or filling, but we still recommend making an emergency dental appointment for your child as soon as possible.

How you should handle your child’s lost filling or crown: If your child lost a crown, you can attempt to locate it and bring it to their appointment. Lost fillings can’t be reused.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns in children: We might be able to repair your child’s crown if it’s not significantly damaged. A wayward filling, meanwhile, will always have to be replaced.

Learn More About Fillings

Something Stuck between Teeth

 Is having something stuck between my child’s teeth an emergency? Not usually. However, the situation can become a dental emergency if you can’t remove the debris after several attempts. When you call your kid's emergency dentist in Naperville, we’ll provide first-aid instructions over the phone or help you schedule an appointment.

How you should handle something stuck between your child’s teeth: First, try using traditional floss or a water flosser to dislodge the debris. Having your child swish water around their mouth can help loosen whatever’s stuck between their pearly whites. Be sure NOT to use sharp objects or toothpicks. If the object is still stuck, leave the rest to us!

Understanding the Cost of Pediatric Emergency Dentistry

child giving thumbs up during emergency kid's dentistry visit

No dental injury is the same as another. For that reason, we cannot provide you with an accurate estimate of the cost of emergency dentistry in Naperville here. We can, however, provide more insight into the factors that play a role, including dental insurance. So, if you are interested in learning more about the price, read on!

Every Pediatric Dental Emergency is Different – Here’s Why

Child smiling at reflection in handheld mirror

As we mentioned above, no two situations are exactly the same. In fact, even if two children knock out a tooth, many factors can determine how they will be treated. This is why when you bring your child in for an emergency appointment, we will generate a cost estimate once we know how we plan to treat the issue. From there, we can discuss all of the financial solutions available. Rest assured, our team will work diligently to help make navigating the cost stress-free.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Pediatric Dental Emergencies?

Patient filling out dental insurance paperwork in lobby

Good news: dental insurance providers often cover a portion of the cost of essential restorative care, including fillings and crowns. So, don’t hesitate to provide us with your membership information! We’re proud to be in-network with Cigna, Delta Dental Premier, MetLife, BlueCross BlueShield, and several others, and we’re here to make utilizing any available coverage easy.

Other Options for Making Pediatric Dental Emergencies Affordable

Child smiling while sitting in treatment chair

Uninsured? That’s okay! Here are a few other ways you can make the cost of the dental care your child needs more affordable:

  • Our In-House Discount Plan – In this case, our team will work with you to create a plan that fits your budget. That way, you can get your child the care they need without stressing about the price.
  • Flexible Financing – With trusted third-party financiers like CherryPay or CareCredit, you can break up the total cost into smaller, monthly chunks that fit within your budget (usually with little-to-no interest, too!).
  • Our Special Offers – Throughout the year, we offer periodic specials to help lower your out-of-pocket expenses.

How Taking Care of Your Child’s Smile Can Save You Money

Child smiling while brushing teeth in treatment chair

Remember, many common dental injuries are largely preventable. So, if you want to protect your child’s smile and your wallet from harm, it’s important that you reinforce healthy habits, like brushing for two full minutes each time and wearing a mouthguard while participating in sports. It’s also crucial that you schedule an appointment at our office every six months, unless your child starts to experience abnormal symptoms, like pain when biting down. If that’s the case, you should schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Naperville ASAP.

Keys to Preventing Pediatric Dental Emergencies

Child brushing teeth to prevent dental emergencies

No matter how hard you try, you cannot prevent all dental emergencies; some accidents are bound to happen! The good news is that there are ways you can minimize the potential of serious and prolonged discomfort. Some of the most effective ones include:

Schedule a Dental Visit Twice a Year

Dentist showing child a model of teeth

Routine visits to our Naperville dental office are important for several reasons, starting with the fact that they ensure tooth decay and other common oral health problems are diagnosed early on. The cleaning portion of the appointment is equally as important since the hard-to-reach areas of your child’s mouth are often missed, especially while their fine motor skills are developing. Rest assured, we will gently remove built-up plaque and tartar, helping maintain their healthy, pain-free smile in the process.

Reinforce Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home

Mother and daughter smiling while brushing teeth in bathroom

Consistent brushing and flossing are crucial when it comes to preventing cavities. Of course, getting your child to take care of their smile isn’t always easy. We recommend doing what you can to make dental care fun, from playing upbeat music to putting on an entertaining video. That way, they look forward to their oral hygiene regimen instead of dreading it.

Focus on Nutrient-Dense Foods

Mother and child eating healthy snack at home

Like many other children, your child may love all things sugar. Unfortunately, ice cream, lollipops, and taffy can quickly lead to tooth decay, especially if consumed in excess. That’s why we encourage parents to focus on adding nutrient-dense foods into their diet. Seasonal fruits are a great option because they are packed with essential vitamins and are naturally sweet!

Have a Custom Mouthguard Made

Smiling child holding soccer ball on field

Does your child play on their school’s football team? Maybe they prefer to play soccer with their friends after school or enjoy a solo activity, like skateboarding. Whatever the case may be, they need to wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth and gums. Instead of buying a one-size-fits-all one online (which can be a choking hazard), schedule an appointment with us so we can have a custom one made.

Redirect Bad Dental Habits

Closeup of child biting their nails

Over the years, your child might pick up an unhealthy habit or two, like biting their nails or chewing on the back of their pencil. Since even seemingly harmless habits like these can lead to a serious dental injury, we strongly recommend redirecting them. For example, if they are biting their nails while working on their homework, offer them some sugar-free gum to chew on instead.

Pediatric Dental Emergency FAQs

Will My Child’s Tooth Sensitivity Eventually Go Away on Its Own?

That depends on the source. For example, if your child recently got a filling, then temporary sensitivity is to be expected. Similarly, if they took a sip of their hot chocolate before it cooled down, burning the roof of their mouth in the process, tenderness will linger for a day or two. With all of that said, if there doesn’t seem to be a trigger, their discomfort is getting worse, or they are experiencing other warning signs of trouble, like pain when biting down, you should call us ASAP since the root of the problem may be an untreated oral health issue.

What Does Chronic Bad Breath Mean?

Chronic bad breath is often tied to diet or a poor dental care regimen. So, if your child is struggling with an unpleasant odor on their breath, start there! If the smell persists even after removing pungent foods, like pickles, from their diet and consistently brushing and flossing their teeth, then schedule an appointment with Dr. Cory, our dedicated dentist for kids in Naperville.

Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Pediatric Dental Emergencies?

If your child is bleeding uncontrollably, they have fractured their jaw, they are having trouble swallowing, or they are experiencing any other potentially life-threatening conditions, you should bring them to the ER or call 911 ASAP. For “standard” dental injuries, however, it’s best to call our Naperville dental office first. After all, hospitals don’t typically have dentists on-staff, so the most they can do is alleviate your child’s pain temporarily and refer you back to us.

Should I Worry About a Chipped Tooth If It Doesn’t Hurt?

Chipped teeth often don’t warrant an emergency visit. That said, you should still call us the same day to schedule an appointment. There is an important reason for this: even if your child isn’t in any pain, their tooth may be at risk of breaking further or developing an infection.

Is a Knocked-Out Baby Tooth a Dental Emergency?

The answer depends largely on whether or not the tooth in question was about to fall out. If it was, then have your child rinse with clean, room-temperature water and take a look at their mouth to make sure they didn’t sustain a serious soft tissue injury as well. If it wasn’t, then call us ASAP. In addition to guiding you through how to handle this dental injury until you arrive at our office, we’ll schedule an emergency visit so we can restore your child’s healthy, pain-free smile.

Is It Safe to Use A Toothpick?

We don’t recommend using a toothpick if there is something stuck between your child’s teeth, like a piece of food. Instead, dissolve some salt in warm water and have them rinse with the mixture a few times (always spitting it out when they are done). Then, use some floss to gently clean between their teeth.

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