Getting You Out of Dental Pain Fast
Dental emergencies can appear out of nowhere, and most of the time that’s exactly how they occur. One second you’re playing your favorite sport or biting into a sandwich or apple and the next your holding your tooth in pain or even pulling it out of your mouth! Whether the cause of your dental emergency was long-term decay, an oral infection or physical trauma, you shouldn’t have to put off an appointment at Anthem Dentistry for any reason. Call our dental office and either Dr. Connor or Dr. Williams will meet with you right away for emergency dentistry in Anthem, AZ.
Why Choose Anthem Dentistry for Emergency Dentistry?
SAME-DAY
Treatments Available
DENTAL OFFICE OPEN
on Saturdays
FLEXIBLE
Payment Options
How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies rarely get better on their own and it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to resolve it without help from a professional. That’s why we always tell our patients to call us right away the moment they believe something is wrong or if they experience an oral injury. When you call, we can provide helpful advice to improve your condition until you arrive. Below, you’ll find some helpful tips on what you should do next.
Toothaches
Use dental floss to loosen any food particles that may be caught between your teeth. If discomfort remains, take an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen to reduce inflammation surrounding the tissue. Avoid aspirin as direct contact can cause a burning sensation. If decay is present, we may need to place a filling or crown depending on the severity.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
Keep any pieces of the tooth that you can and bring them to the dental office. Do not chew any food until you get the tooth repaired. If the tooth is minorly chipped or there’s no discomfort, you may be able to wait until regular business hours to get treatment. If swelling is present, apply a cold compress to your face for 10 minutes at a time, removing and reapplying for up to one hour.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Do your best to stay calm and locate the tooth. Once found, pick it up by the crown portion and avoid touching the root or removing any tissue still attached. After gently rinsing the tooth of any dirt or debris, place it back into your open socket. If not possible, keep it in milk and get to our dental office right away. If we cannot reimplant it, we will discuss tooth replacement options with you moving forward.
Lost Filling or Crown
If you still have the restoration, you can temporarily attach it to your exposed tooth using dental cement, denture adhesive, petroleum jelly or sugar-free chewing gum if nothing else is available. In most cases, we will need to create a new crown or filling to effectively cover the tooth.
What are Full and Partial Dentures?
Full and partial dentures are two options to consider when replacing teeth. Full dentures are designed to replace an entire arch of teeth and can be used for the top arch, bottom arch, or both if needed. If this is the case, you’ll need a set of full dentures. Alternatively, those who still have remaining teeth throughout their mouth can use a partial denture to replace them. This denture acts as a puzzle piece, effectively filling all the spaces necessary to prevent teeth from shifting.
Denture Alternative
While dentures can be very helpful for most people, others may want to consider an alternative solution depending on their unique situation. These include dental bridges and dental implants, both of which have their own specific benefits.
Dental Bridges
If you have multiple consecutive missing teeth, a dental bridge can be used to replace all of them at the same time. A bridge is made up of three or more crowns fused together, with the crowns on either end hollowed out so they can fit on top of existing teeth.
Dental Implants
Not only can dental implants replace individual teeth, but they can be used in tandem with dentures to hold them in place more effectively. While the process of receiving dental implants is longer and generally more expensive, the long-term benefits justify the higher cost for most patients.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies are impossible to predict and difficult to avoid entirely, but there are many ways to easily reduce your risk of experiencing them. For example, it helps to:
- Brush twice a day and floss daily
- Commit to routine exams and cleanings at our dental office
- Avoid chewing on very hard foods or inedible objects (i.e. pens, pencils, packages, bottles, ice cubes etc.)
- Always wear a nightguard or sportsguard if you grind your teeth or play contact sports
- Break habits that can damage teeth, such as nail-biting
The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
Without performing an exam of your dental issue, we can’t know for sure what your emergency will cost to treat. While tooth pain could be a result of decay, which often times only requires a cleaning and filling, it could also be due to an oral infection, which involves more comprehensive care. No matter what your emergency may be, we recommend that you call us to set up a visit. We offer many flexible financing options, so you don’t have to live with your dental discomfort or broken/missing tooth any longer.
Dental Emergency FAQs
At Anthem Dentistry, your emergency dentist is committed to getting you out of dental pain fast. While we hope you never experience a dental emergency, we want you to be as prepared as possible just in case one strikes. For your convenience, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions we get about emergency dentistry below. If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call right away!
Should I Go to the ER or an Emergency Dentist?
In nearly every case, you’ll save time, money, and hassle by giving us a call in a dental emergency instead of going straight to your local ER. However, there are some situations that need to be stabilized at the emergency room before we can repair your smile, such as:
- Dislocated or broken jaw.
- Bleeding that hasn’t stopped in 10 minutes.
- Swelling in the mouth, face, or jaw that’s making it difficult to swallow or breathe.
How Can I Tell If I’m Having a Dental Emergency?
Not every dental emergency is as easy to identify as a broken or knocked-out tooth. If you’re wondering if you need urgent dental care, ask yourself these questions:
- Do I have intense dental pain?
- Do my teeth feel out of place or loose?
- Is my tooth visibly damaged?
- Are my gums swollen, painful, or bleeding?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, give us a call! We’ll help you assess your situation over the phone and give you step-by-step guidance on what you should do next.
Is a Toothache a Dental Emergency?
Dental pain should always be investigated by your dentist in a timely manner. While most toothaches are caused by cavities and other non-emergency problems, some can be the result of a severe underlying issue that needs immediate attention. Your toothache may be an emergency if accompanied by:
- Severe pain that is interfering with your everyday life.
- Darkening of the painful tooth.
- Looseness in the painful tooth.
- A small, pimple-like pump on the gums near the toothache.
- Signs of infection, like swelling, fever, or fatigue.
Can I Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers for a Toothache?
There are several ways you can manage your dental pain until you can reach our office. Rinsing your mouth out with saltwater can help kill bacteria and reduce inflammation and applying an ice pack can ease swelling and numb the area. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and take them as directed.
However, it’s important that you remember that OTC pain relievers are intended to be a temporary fix. Even if you can manage your discomfort with the help of store-bought pain killers, you still need to come see us for treatment right away. Over-the-counter pain relivers won’t address the underlying, potentially serious problem that’s causing your discomfort, so don’t wait to give us a call if you have a toothache!
