An emergency dentist is a type of dentist who provides dental care during an emergency. Emergency dentists typically work during normal business hours but also provide care outside of office hours.
What Are the Signs of an Emergency?
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately:
- Severe or persistent tooth pain
- Facial trauma or swelling
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Swelling or trauma to the jaw or head
- Difficulty breathing or speaking
Common Dental Emergencies
Knocked-out Tooth
The most common dental emergencies include teeth that have been knocked out. If you have knocked out a tooth, make sure to keep it moist at all times. If possible, put the tooth back in the socket and hold it in place with gauze. If putting the tooth back in the socket is difficult or impossible, place it in a container of milk. If milk is not available, keep the tooth in your mouth between your cheek and gums.
Broken or Cracked Tooth
Knowing how to properly handle a broken or cracked tooth is incredibly important. When a tooth is broken or cracked, a dentist should be contacted as soon as possible. Some symptoms like pain may occur right away, while other symptoms like tooth discoloration may not occur until a few days later.
Lost Filling or Crown
A lost filling or crown should be treated as a dental emergency. The tooth is in danger of structural damage if it isn’t covered in something. Call our dentist for an appointment as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can use temporary cement from a drugstore to protect the tooth. This can help it survive until you get to the dentist.
Damaged Braces or Retainer
If your braces or retainer are damaged, take them to our dentist’s office as soon as possible. You’ll need to schedule an appointment to have new pieces made. In the meantime, try covering them with orthodontic wax, denture adhesive, or household adhesive.
Toothache (Severe, Throbbing Pain)
A toothache is any pain in the mouth but is often associated with severe, throbbing pain. There are several causes of toothaches, including cavities, chipped teeth, and infected teeth.
A toothache is the most common type of dental emergency. If you are experiencing a toothache, make an appointment with our dentist as soon as possible.
Phoenix Family Dentistry, located in Phoenix, AZ, has the best dentists and is equipped with modern technologies that enable the best dental care services for our patients. To know more about emergency dentistry, call us at (602) 755-6684 and schedule an appointment with our dentist.
