Providing You With Fast Emergency Dentistry
Dental emergencies always occur in the least expected moments, making it difficult to act quickly with a level head. If you sustain an oral injury or develop a bad toothache, it’s vital to have a plan in place to reduce the risk of sustaining further damage. That’s why we recommend contacting our dental office right away for emergency dentistry in Sun City West, AZ. Dr. Mueller will see you as soon as possible to provide you with pain-relieving treatment.
Why Choose Arizona Smile Design for Emergency Dentistry?
VIRTUAL EMERGENCY
Consultations
DENTIST WITH NEARLY 40 YEARS
of Experience
ORAL CONSCIOUS SEDATION
Available
How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies
If you’re experiencing severe oral pain or any out-of-the-ordinary symptoms, it’s vital to call our dental office as soon as possible. Our team will provide you with over-the-phone first-aid guidance and give you some tips to help relieve your pain until you reach our dental office. We’ve also included some helpful tips for some of the most common dental emergencies below.
Toothaches
Toothaches are often a sign of an infection that has developed in the inner chamber of your tooth, where the nerve is located. Until you arrive at our dental office, you can take an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen to help ease your pain.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
If you’re able to find the piece of your tooth that has broken off, retrieve it and rinse it under cool water. Be sure to store it in a bag and bring it to your appointment. If the broken-off area has left a jagged edge, you can place a piece of orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum to prevent it from irritating your oral tissues.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Time is of the essence in this situation, and it’s vital to get to our dental office within an hour of the accident so we have the best chance of replanting the tooth. Retrieve your tooth, being sure to only handle it by the biting surface, and gently rinse it under cool water. Place it in a sealable container of milk or saltwater and bring it to our dental office.
Lost Filling or Crown
Damaged restorations can be cleaned off and temporarily reattached with a small dab of denture adhesive or a piece of sugar-free gum. However, to avoid an infection or sustaining additional damage, it’s important to get it repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Even though dental emergencies are impossible to completely avoid, there are some ways that you can dramatically reduce your risk of experiencing one:
- Brush your teeth twice each day and floss daily.
- Visit our dental office for routine checkups and cleanings.
- Don’t use your teeth to open packages or chew on hard items like pens or ice.
- Wear an athletic mouthguard whenever you play sports.
- Avoid bad oral habits such as nail-biting and smoking.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
No two dental emergency accidents are the same, and depending on the root cause of your pain, whether it’s discomfort or an untreated oral health problem, the treatment you need may vary. Once our team examines your mouth, we’ll be sure to walk you through the cost of the procedure that we recommend and always keep you in-the-loop about insurance coverage and financing options.
Dental Emergency FAQs
When a dental emergency occurs, most people have no idea what to do. Above all else, we recommend trying to remain calm. Then, give your emergency dentist a call. Once you’re on the phone with us, a member of our team will handle it from there. As you wait for your appointment, it may help soothe your worries to read through this list of some of our most frequently asked questions about emergency dentistry.
How Do I Know If I Have a True Dental Emergency?
It can be easy to downplay an oral health problem, such as a toothache, and say that you don’t need treatment right away. However, waiting too long can cause the issue to worsen and require more invasive treatment later on. For this reason, you should call us right away if you experience any of the following:
- Bleeding from your mouth
- Broken or dislodged tooth or dental restoration
- Severe pain in your mouth
If you’re suffering from one of the above problems, you’ll very likely need prompt treatment. Even if it turns out to not be a major issue, it’s much better to err on the side of caution and have our team examine you anyway.
Should I Go to the Emergency Room?
In the vast majority of cases, a dentist is much better equipped to handle a dental emergency than anyone at the ER. Most of the ER doctors are not qualified to perform dentistry, so they can’t address the root cause of your problem. At best, they may prescribe painkillers or antibiotics. They’ll usually end up referring you to a dentist anyway. Calling our office instead can save you time and money.
There are, however, times when you’re better off seeking immediate medical treatment at the ER. If you have a broken jawbone or are experiencing uncontrollable swelling or bleeding, head to the nearest ER as soon as possible.
Will My Toothache Get Better on Its Own?
More often than not, no. Something to keep in mind is that, in general, healthy teeth do not hurt. A toothache usually indicates a problem that needs treatment. An untreated cavity or infection in a tooth can worsen, spreading to surrounding areas of your mouth or even other parts of your body.
What If I’m Scared to Go to the Dentist?
Dental anxiety is a fairly common fear; it affects an estimated 20% of Americans to some extent. We understand that visiting a dentist can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’re experiencing an emergency. Fortunately, we offer sedation to help you relax. It melts all your worries away and reduces your body’s ability to feel pain, making it much easier to receive the care you need to keep your smile healthy.
