Types of Emergency Dental Care

A dental emergency refers to any situation involving the teeth, gums, or mouth that requires immediate attention from a dental professional. These emergencies can range from severe pain and swelling to trauma or injury to the mouth or teeth.

When people have teeth problems and the dentist in Phoenix, AZ is not available, emergency dental care is the only option because these offices are usually available after normal office hours. However, even though most problems with the teeth hurt, not all are emergencies. In that case, patients can wait until their regular dentist is back at the office. Find out which injuries require a visit to the emergency dentist and which do not.

Different types of emergency dental care

People who want to determine if a tooth injury requires emergency dental care are advised to ask themselves the following questions:

Is the pain severe? If it is and there is bleeding involved, it will likely require a trip to the emergency dentist in 85053.

Is a tooth missing? Missing teeth can be saved if the patient acts quickly, so this is also considered a dental emergency.

Is there an infection? Having a serious mouth infection or abscess in the mouth can be life-threatening, which means immediate treatment is required.

The main symptoms when it comes to dental emergencies are severe pain, bleeding, infection and missing teeth. If the problem does not involve any of the above, it is not an emergency and can wait until the next day.

What is not considered a dental emergency?

Some dental problems can wait until the next day. These are not considered dental emergencies because they can be treated at home with over-the-counter products until the patients can see their dentist. Some of those problems include:

• Chipped teeth
• Toothaches
• Missing fillings
• Loose crowns

Treating common dental emergencies

The dental emergencies that can be treated at home if a patient cannot get immediate emergency dental care include:

Missing tooth

If a patient’s tooth gets knocked out while playing sports or because of an accident, there is a possibility that the dentist can still reinsert the tooth, which is why patients are advised to act quickly. The patient should pick up the tooth by the crown and avoid touching the root. After picking up the knocked-out tooth, it should be rinsed carefully without scrubbing. The tooth should be preserved in a container and quickly taken to the emergency dentist to get it reinserted in the mouth. Call us to learn more.

Abscessed tooth

A dental abscess can endanger a patient’s life because the infection can spread to the jaw, the surrounding tissue and other parts of the body. To prevent the infection from spreading, patients are advised to rinse their mouth with warm saltwater.

Avoiding dental emergencies

To avoid having to go to an emergency dentist in Phoenix, AZ, patients should practice good oral hygiene, which means brushing twice a day and making regular trips to the dentist. People who are active in sports should wear mouthguards while engaging in physical activity to prevent teeth from getting knocked out while they play.

Conclusion

In general, any dental issue that causes severe pain, swelling, bleeding, or affects your ability to eat, speak, or perform daily activities should be considered a dental emergency and addressed promptly by a qualified dentist or oral healthcare provider. It's important to seek professional treatment as soon as possible to prevent complications and ensure optimal outcomes for your oral health.

Dental emergencies can occur at any time and can be quite painful. If you suffered a dental emergency and need treatment, visit an emergency dental care center to get the problem taken care of before it gets worse. 

Request an appointment here: https://familydentistphoenix.com or call Phoenix Family Dentistry at (602) 547-9007 for an appointment in our Phoenix office.