Emergency Dentistry for Children — Arlington Heights, IL

Get Your Child Out of Dental Pain

Severe dental discomfort and damaged teeth should always be taken very seriously. Not only will your child be in pain, but they could also be at risk for severe oral health problems that disrupt the development of their smile. Even small issues can quickly turn into major dental issues when ignored, so keep our phone number on hand and call Dr. Welke immediately as soon as your child suffers from a dental emergency; we’ll fit them into our schedule immediately to receive emergency dentistry for children in Arlington Heights, IL. If you need to get your child out of dental pain fast, don’t hesitate to call us!

Mother helping child learn to ride a bike after emergency dentistry treatment

Why Choose Arlington Heights Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry for Emergency Pediatric Dental Care?

  • Open Multiple Saturdays Per Month
  • Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available For Existing Patients
  • Child-Friendly Sedation Options

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Child in need of emergency dentistry covering mouth

Your first step should be to contact us as soon as you can. We do everything we can to see emergency patients the same day they call us, and one of our experienced team members will walk you through how to manage your child’s situation until you can reach us. When you arrive, your children’s emergency dentist in Arlington Heights will see your little one for an examination.

Our top priority will be to soothe your child’s pain and to keep them as calm and comfortable as possible while we look for the root cause of the problem. Since no two emergencies are the same, a treatment plan will be provided to you once we have completed a thorough evaluation of your child's smile. Sometimes the issue will be simple enough to resolve with a filling, but more complex issues might involve treatments such as pulpotomy. We’ll fully explain every treatment option and work with you to choose the ones that are best for your family’s situation.

The Most Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies

You need to be prepared to perform dental first aid for your child so that they can handle the pain while waiting for an emergency dental appointment. If you call our pediatric dental office, we’ll be able to give you tips on taking care of your little one’s teeth and gums. The tips below cover some of the most common dental emergencies, but every situation is different, so make sure that you describe your child’s symptoms in as much detail as possible when you call. Below, you’ll find basic information on some of the most common dental emergencies we treat.

Preventing Pediatric Dental Emergencies

Child receiving regular dental checkup to prevent dental emergencies

While some emergencies are simply unavoidable, many of them are genuinely preventable. Keep your child safe from tooth decay and gum disease by:

  • Making sure they brush their teeth every morning and right before bed.
  • Bringing them to our pediatric dental office every six months for a checkup.
  • Stopping them from chewing on fingernails or other hard, inedible objects.
  • Giving them a protective mouthguard to wear whenever they play sports.
  • Teaching them to use scissors to cut and open things instead of their teeth.

Pediatric Dental Emergency FAQs

What if My Child’s Toothache Suddenly Disappears?

If your child’s toothache goes away, you might be wondering if you can cancel their upcoming appointment. The short answer is “no.” Oftentimes, soreness, sensitivity, and discomfort that disappears overnight is a sign that the nerve has died. While this does render it unable to register pain, this means that there is only a small window of time left where the tooth can be saved. So, it’s still vital that you bring your child to our Arlington Heights dental office ASAP!

Should I Bring My Child to the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?

If your child is experiencing any potentially life-threatening symptoms, like trouble breathing or uncontrollable bleeding, then you should head to the ER or call 911 immediately. If that’s not the case, then your first call should be to our office since hospitals don’t typically have dentists on-staff. So, if you bring your child there because of a toothache, the most they will be able to do is alleviate their pain and refer them back to their dentist.

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

Sometimes, a chipped tooth leads to considerable sensitivity and discomfort. Other times, there are no abnormal dental symptoms at all! If the latter is the case for your child, you might be wondering if scheduling an emergency visit is necessary. To put it simply, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. While we do recommend calling us right away so we can get an appointment on the calendar within the next day or two, same-day care likely isn’t necessary if your child isn’t in pain.

Is a Knocked-Out Baby Tooth a Dental Emergency?

There’s a common misconception that a knocked-out baby tooth isn’t a dental emergency because baby teeth are supposed to fall out. While that’s true, several problems can arise if they come out too soon, including dental drift and trouble chewing properly. So, make sure to call us! In addition to scheduling an appointment with one of our talented dentists, a helpful member of our team will walk you through how to handle this dental injury in the meantime.

What If I Can’t Afford Emergency Dentistry?

If you have a set budget, you might assume that you can’t afford emergency dentistry. Fortunately, there are several ways you can make the cost less costly, including dental insurance. So, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment! In addition to providing you with an estimate of the price, we will discuss the financial solutions available to you so there aren’t any unpleasant surprises.

Important note: Taking the “wait and see” approach may seem like a good way to save money. However, the more time that passes, the worse the root of the problem will get. So, it can actually cost you a lot more in the long run. To put it simply, the best thing for your child’s smile and your wallet is to get them the restorative care they need ASAP.

More to Explore

My Child Needs a Checkup & Cleaning My Child Has a Cavity or Broken Tooth My Child is Afraid of the Dentist My Child Has Special Needs My Child Has a Lip or Tongue-Tie My Child Needs an Orthodontist View Our Services

Toothache

Is my child’s toothache an emergency? The most common causes of dental emergencies in children are toothaches. Not only are they painful and distracting, but they can indicate a serious oral health problem. Your child’s situation is considered an emergency if they’re experiencing swelling, fever, fatigue, a loose tooth, or have developed a bump in the gums.

How you should handle your child’s toothache: Children’s over-the-counter pain medication is a great temporary solution, but you should still make an emergency appointment for your little one. Do not put aspirin directly on the gums as it can irritate the area and cause damage. Ask them to rinse their mouth with warm water and thoroughly inspect their teeth to ensure nothing is caught between them.

How we treat toothaches in children: Our team will need to perform a detailed examination and take X-rays to identify the underlying cause of the toothache. Usually, it will be treated with a filling or a baby root canal. Treating baby teeth is incredibly important for the health of future permanent teeth.

Learn More About Fillings

Learn More About Root Canals

Chipped Tooth

Is my child’s chipped tooth an emergency? Not usually, but your child should still get treated within a few days. Otherwise, their chipped tooth can lead to serious oral health problems down the line.

How you should handle your child’s chipped tooth: If your child has a chipped tooth, ask them to rinse their mouth with warm water. They can also use a cold compress to reduce swelling and ease discomfort. If possible, locate the fragment that broke off and store it in a safe place. Make an appointment with our team and bring the piece with you.

How we treat children’s chipped teeth: Dental bonding is the most common solution for chipped teeth in children. If a teen has chipped a highly visible tooth, they can opt for a veneer instead.

Cracked Tooth

Is my child’s cracked tooth an emergency? While major damage is urgent, your child can wait a few days to seek treatment for a minor cracked tooth. You should always make an emergency appointment for your little one after they’ve sustained a blow to the face, especially if they’re complaining about sensitivity or pain.

How you should handle your child’s cracked tooth: Ask your child to carefully rinse their mouth with warm water to wash away any lingering bacteria. They can take over-the-counter pain medication and use a cold compress to ease any discomfort they have. While waiting for their appointment, make sure they avoid eating or chewing with the injured side of their mouth.

How we treat children’s cracked teeth: Usually, a cracked tooth is fixed with a custom-made dental crown. If the damage is minor, we may be able to repair it with the same composite resin used for dental fillings.

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is a knocked-out baby tooth an emergency? A knocked-out baby tooth is not always an urgent emergency. However, you should still bring your child to see their pediatric dentist as soon as possible so we can determine if there is damage to the underlying permanent tooth.

How you should handle a knocked-out baby tooth: Do not try to place the tooth back in its socket; doing so might harm the underlying permanent tooth. Instead, place the tooth in small container and bring it with you to your child’s appointment. If your child’s mouth is bleeding, try to control the problem with gauze.

How we treat knocked out baby teeth: We will assess your child’s mouth to determine if any action needs to be taken. In some cases, we may need to use an orthodontic space maintainer to prevent nearby teeth from drifting out of place and trapping the underlying permanent tooth.

Knocked-Out Baby Tooth

Is a knocked-out baby tooth an emergency? A knocked-out baby tooth is not always an urgent emergency. However, you should still bring your child to see their pediatric dentist as soon as possible so we can determine if there is damage to the underlying permanent tooth.

How you should handle a knocked-out baby tooth: Do not try to place the tooth back in its socket; doing so might harm the underlying permanent tooth. Instead, place the tooth in small container and bring it with you to your child’s appointment. If your child’s mouth is bleeding, try to control the problem with gauze.

How we treat knocked out baby teeth: We will assess your child’s mouth to determine if any action needs to be taken. In some cases, we may need to use an orthodontic space maintainer to prevent nearby teeth from drifting out of place and trapping the underlying permanent tooth.

Bitten Tongue, Lip, Cheek

Is a bitten tongue, lip, or cheek an emergency ? Soft tissue injuries in the mouth can bleed quite a bit and can seem scary. Whether your child gets injured while playing sports, horsing around with friends, or digging into their food a bit too vigorously, our team is ready to help get the situation under control.

How you should handle your child’s soft tissue injury: Use water to gently clean the injured area. Gauze and light pressure can help to get any bleeding under control. (If the bleeding is severe or continues for a long time, head to the local ER.) A cold compress can be used to keep swelling to a minimum.

How we treat soft tissue injuries in children: We will evaluate the injury and check nearby teeth for damage. If necessary, we can stitch up the wound to encourage healing.

Dental Concussion

Is my child’s dental concussion an emergency? If your child’s tooth has been shoved out of place but isn’t knocked out yet, it’s considered a dental concussion. It commonly happens to children who are active in sports. Depending on the severity of the situation, you may need to schedule an appointment with your kid’s emergency dentist in Arlington right away.

How you should handle your child’s dental concussion: Carefully rinse your little one’s mouth to wash away any lingering bacteria. Then, ask them to apply a cold compress and have them take over-the-counter pain medication as needed. Make sure they avoid touching the tooth until we provide further instructions.

How we treat dental concussions in children: When you get to our office, we’ll conduct a detailed examination to identify the best course of action to restore your child’s oral health. In some cases, slightly concussed teeth can straighten themselves out over time. There are instances where a tooth will need a splint, root canal therapy, orthodontics, or even extraction.

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Learn More About Orthodontics

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Sensitive Teeth

Are my child’s sensitive teeth an emergency? Sensitive teeth in children are most commonly caused by cavities. If left untreated, it can lead to painful complications down the line. They usually indicate damage, worn fillings, bruxism, or an infection. Your little one could be in danger, so make sure you schedule an emergency appointment for them right away!

How you should handle your child’ sensitive teeth: Contact us and explain your child’s symptoms. Over the phone, an experienced team member will provide first-aid instructions to help you manage your situation in the meantime. We often recommend using desensitizing toothpaste, drinking lukewarm water, and avoiding sweet or spicy foods.

How we treat sensitive teeth in children: Our team will conduct a detailed oral examination to determine the best treatment option for your little one. Some children may need fluoride treatments or dental sealants depending on the situation.

Learn More About Fluoride Treatments

Learn More About Dental Sealants

Learn More About Fillings

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Lost Filling/Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? Dental restorations are certainly durable, but they’re not meant to last forever. If your child’s filling or crown falls out, they’ll need to seek treatment right away to protect the exposed tooth from further infection and damage.

How you should handle your child’s lost filling or crown: If you’re able to retrieve your child’s restoration, rinse it off under cool water. You can temporarily place it back on their tooth using a dab of denture adhesive or toothpaste. However, this is only a temporary solution, and in order to prevent an infection from developing, you’ll need to have their filling or crown professionally repaired or replaced.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns in children: If we can’t refit the restoration, we may simply need to replace it altogether. By taking your child to an emergency dentist right away, you can lower the chances of us needing to address other issues, like an infection.

Learn More About Fillings

Learn More About Crowns

Something Stuck between Teeth

Is having something stuck between my child’s teeth an emergency? Everyone has had something stuck in their teeth at some point in time. While it’s typically not an emergency if that happens, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact us if you can’t dislodge the object from your child’s teeth yourself.

How you should handle something stuck between your child’s teeth: You can try flossing between their teeth to dislodge the debris. It may also help to encourage them to rinse with warm water. However, you should never use a sharp object like a toothpick as it could easily wreak havoc on your smile. If you can’t immediately remove it on your own, contact us right away for assistance.