From sports-related trauma to toothaches you can’t ignore, most people will face a dental emergency sooner or later. There’s no reason to suffer and delay your treatment. Same-day appointments and affordable financing make getting the treatment you need for your dental emergency possible in Phoenix and the surrounding areas.
What’s Constitutes A Dental Emergency?
Our mouths are full of structures, soft tissues and nerve endings that we barely notice until a problem arises. When something in our mouth hurts, it’s hard to ignore. A dental emergency is any instance of pain, trauma, bleeding, swelling or other concern that needs immediate treatment for your health and comfort.
Common dental emergencies include:
- Toothaches
- Chipped, cracked, loose or broken teeth
- Teeth knocked out by trauma
- Jaw swelling and pain
- Cuts, bites and sores in the mouth
- Signs of infection in and around the mouth and jaw
- Broken or missing crowns or bridges
- Broken dentures
- Broken braces or missing dental liners
Daytime Emergencies: What To Do
If you think you need to see a dentist, you probably should. The structures in your mouth are too important to risk, and any community-oriented practice will be happy to accommodate your dental emergency at their Phoenix offices.
If you or your child is experiencing discomfort, swelling, bleeding or recent oral trauma:
- Call an emergency dental practice immediately. Sky Dental Alliance has three offices with Saturday availability, earlier morning and later evening hours at rotating locations.
- Apply sterile gauze to bleeding areas. Hold it firmly in place until you get to the dentist.
- If a tooth has been knocked out, rinse it off then set it firmly back in the socket. Discourage children from agitating loose teeth.
- Apply ice to swollen areas for 10-20 minutes to help reduce pain.
If you’re not sure whether your concern is an emergency, you can always call ahead and speak with a dental professional.
Late-Night Dental Emergencies in Phoenix: What To Do
It can happen to anyone. It’s midnight, and you don’t see the dog laying right in front of the bathroom door. The next thing you know, you’re face-down on the tile with a mouth full of blood and a missing tooth. Now what?
Follow these guidelines:
- If there’s blood: Apply firm, constant pressure with gauze for 45 minutes to slow bleeding. Be careful not to agitate any injuries or wiggle loose teeth. Try a damp teabag, which has astringent properties, if the gauze doesn’t work. It’s normal for traumatized areas to keep oozing, but heavier bleeding should stop within 1 to 2 hours.
- For pain: Cold compresses can help numb pain from trauma or other swelling. Ice for 10 to 20 minutes, once an hour.
- If the tooth is loose: Resist the urge to wiggle it. If you have a night guard that was fitted by your dentist, wear it to keep your tooth secure while you sleep.
- If the tooth is knocked out: Locate and rinse the knocked out tooth. If you plan on staying awake before you call the dentist, you can put the tooth securely back in the socket. If it’s early enough that you want some more sleep, put the tooth a cool glass of milk and take it with you in the morning.
- As soon as possible: Find a practice with immediate, early morning appointments for patients with a dental emergency in Phoenix.
If you’re experiencing extreme pain, excessive bleeding or other severe symptoms, visit your local hospital right away for evaluation and temporary treatment. You’ll likely be directed to see your usual dentist first thing in the morning.
I’m Scared of Emergency Root Canal Procedures
Many people delay getting their toothaches treated because they’re scared of emergency root canal procedures. Root canal procedures got a bad reputation many years ago before pain management techniques were as good as they are today. Today’s procedures are virtually painless and actually eliminate the source of extreme toothaches.
Most toothaches are caused by dental decay exposing your tooth’s highly sensitive root. You may even have an infection putting pressure on or eating away at the root. Root canal procedures remove exposed root pulp. What isn’t there can’t hurt you anymore.
Extensive anesthetics are used to completely numb the area before your procedure begins. If you’re extremely nervous, ask about using gas-administered anesthesia when you call to make your emergency appointment.
Quick treatment is the key to preserving the health and function of your smile. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call one of our three offices to make an appointment now.