You never know how important an emergency dentist is until you need one. Whether you are involved in an accident that results in an injury to your teeth or jaw or your existing dental work becomes loose, an emergency dentist can treat you outside of business hours. A Scottsdale emergency dentist can save you time, money, and pain down the road.

What is a dental emergency?

While a simple toothache may not lead you to look for an emergency dentist available on Saturdays, there are some cases in which a weekend dentist is crucial. Just like babies always being born at night, emergencies seem to happen most often outside of normal business hours.

But how do you know what constitutes a dental emergency? Here are some clear guidelines and examples.

Injuries to the mouth

Injuries to the mouth may be a result of a Saturday morning basketball league, a car accident, or other unexpected trauma to the mouth. Regardless of the cause, an injury that results in teeth that are loose, out of position, or otherwise unstable necessitates the need for emergency dental care.

Broken tooth

Whether it is broken at the very tip or at the gumline, a broken tooth is a dental emergency. Talk to a doctor to get attention as soon as possible.

Loose or detached crown

Loose or detached crowns can be very painful. Additionally, they can set the stage for future dental issues, including bacterial infections that make their way into the surrounding teeth. Often the procedure for treating a loose crown is a simple application of dental cement, but it’s important to attend to immediately.

A chipped tooth or minor fracture may not need an immediate dental appointment, but having a Scottsdale weekend dentist open to call and check is very helpful. A weekend emergency dentist (and most dentists during the weekday) will hold slots open for dental emergencies. If there is any question, call. At AZ Dentist, our receptionists are always ready to answer any questions you may have.

Why are emergency dentistry options so important?

Emergency dentistry is an important bridge between regular dental care and a visit to the emergency room.

The rate of people visiting the emergency room for dental emergencies due to lack of regular dental care nearly doubled in the first decade of the 21st century. The number of parents utilizing an emergency pediatric dentist for regular care has also increased.

A dentist who is available when emergencies occur may be able to decrease the number of emergency room visits. A visit to the emergency room is costly and time-consuming, with wait times that can stretch all day. An emergency dentist could help families ease the cost and the wait with just a simple phone call.

Do I need to get Scottsdale emergency dental care?

Determining whether or not you need emergency dental care may mean making a phone call to your Scottsdale emergency dentist. They will ask you for details about your emergency and the severity.

Experiencing a minor toothache that is managed with ibuprofen is not an emergency, but a completely knocked out tooth is. Scheduling an emergency dentist appointment within 30 minutes is key to saving the tooth. Once you set your appointment, there are a few steps you can take at home to be more comfortable.

If you have a tooth that is completely knocked out, gently rinse the tooth to remove dirt. Handle the tooth at the crown end, not by the root. Listen to any instructions our staff give you for wrapping and safeguarding the tooth.

For a tooth that has been moved out of position, see if you can gently move it back into position and hold it there by gently biting down. If moving the tooth is too painful, wait until your emergency dental appointment.

Fractured teeth that are still attached in the mouth can be very painful and swollen. Use ibuprofen and an ice pack to help with pain and swelling. The mouth can be rinsed with warm water to remove any bacteria and blood.

A visit to the emergency dentist is important, as only a dentist will be able to determine how severe the damage is. Minor fractures may be smoothed by the dentist or left alone, but severe fractures can damage the dental pulp and lead to more serious complications. It’s important to let a dentist evaluate your teeth.

How to get an emergency dentist appointment?

For emergencies that go deeper than dental care, your first and best stop should be the emergency room. If you are in an accident and having difficulty breathing or are experiencing bleeding or other severe symptoms, it is important to get treatment that addresses these concerns first.

If you know an emergency dentist is what you need, the next step is to locate a qualified provider. For Arizona residents who need an emergency dentist, Glendale and Scottsdale dentists at AZ Dentist are available.

Even outside of posted business hours, give your emergency dentist a call before giving up and heading to the emergency room. Most dentists have an answering service that will take your call or direct you to the nearest location. They can frequently make appointments even if they are officially closed, so work with your provider first.

Dr. Janne Lynch and the team at AZ Dentist are always available to answer your questions. If you need a Scottsdale emergency dentist, give us a call!

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