Long gone are the days when you had to suffer mouth or tooth pain all weekend long before hoping to get an appointment first thing Monday morning. An emergency dentist handles all types of dental emergencies. But, what can an emergency dentist do? Here are the eight most common reasons you might visit an emergency dentist.

What do you do if you have a dental emergency?

When you have a dental issue, you have three main options: make a soon-as-possible appointment with your dentist, visit the emergency dentist, or head straight to the ER. If you are suffering from life-threatening injuries that just happen to involve your mouth, the choice is clear – head to the ER.

Other situations aren’t always so cut-and-dried. If something happens that affects your teeth, jaw, or mouth, it can be hard to know whether to stick it out and wait for office hours or to call the emergency dentist. Knowing what an emergency dentist can do is the first step to making that decision.

What can an emergency dentist do?

Whether you need an emergency dentist in the Phoenix area where AZ Dentist is located or anywhere across the country, here are the eight most common ways they can help.

1. Mouth injuries

Mouth injuries happen in many different ways. Maybe it’s your Saturday morning pick-up basketball game that ends with an elbow to the jaw, or perhaps it’s a mishap with an uneven bit of pavement.

Whatever the reason, a mouth injury that causes swelling, cuts to the gums, bleeding, pain, or any of the above may warrant a trip to the emergency dentist.

2. Broken or chipped tooth

A broken or chipped tooth doesn’t mean an automatic visit to the emergency dentist, but it’s definitely worth a quick call.

A small chip out of the front tooth may only be a minor cosmetic annoyance easily handled in a regular appointment, but a larger chunk from a molar could quickly become serious (or indicate a more serious underlying condition). Give the emergency dentist a call.

3. Knocked out tooth

On the other hand, a tooth that is completely knocked out needs an immediate visit to the emergency dentist.

Place the knocked-out tooth in milk and call the dentist. If you act fast, they may even be able to successfully restore your tooth.

4. Loose or broken crown

A loose or broken crown can expose nerves in your tooth, making even a whisper of air across the tooth excruciating. Dental crowns are not meant to last forever, with the most common failure being loose dental cement.

If this occurs, it’s a quick fix to reattach the crown and have you on your way. Broken crowns will take longer to repair, but your emergency dentist can protect your tooth with a temporary crown while you wait for the permanent one.

5. Unexplained mouth pain

Any type of unexplained mouth pain with a sudden onset definitely falls into the category of what an emergency dentist can do.

This can be stabbing pain in the jaw, a tooth that aches to distraction and does not respond to over-the-counter treatments, or sudden sores in the mouth. While some of these may not require an emergency dental appointment, it’s best to give your emergency dentist a call to find out.

6. Dental abscess

If you have ever experienced the pain of a dental abscess, you will understand that this is an emergency.

Your emergency dentist can drain and flush the abscess and offer prescription antibiotics to prevent further infection. They may opt for other treatments as well, depending on the patient and their overall oral health.

7. Exposed nerve

An exposed nerve that hurts and then suddenly stops hurting is a dental emergency that needs to be treated.

Exposed nerves are incredibly painful, but that means they are still alive and functioning correctly. A nerve that stops sending pain signals can indicate a dead nerve, which can in turn be a signpost for a more serious dental condition. Call an emergency dentist.

8. Swollen jaw with no clear cause

If you suddenly experience swelling in your jaw for no reason (no injury or other underlying condition), call your emergency dentist. They can help triage any other symptoms to see if a visit is in order.

The best part of having a Phoenix area emergency dentist? You can always give them a call to get further guidance, even if you’re not sure if what you are experiencing is a true dental emergency. They are there to help.

What can the ER do for dental emergencies?

While an emergency dentist can help with many situations, there are times when visiting the ER for a dental emergency is more appropriate. If you are suffering from the following symptoms (in addition to dental symptoms), head straight to the emergency room.

  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Trauma to the head in conjunction with a jaw or mouth injury
  • Jaw fractures
  • Dislocated jaw
  • Severe cuts to the face or mouth (especially those that will not stop bleeding)

Essentially, if you have an emergency situation that seems to be a threat to life go straight to the emergency room. Calling your emergency dentist is not necessary if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above. Head straight to the ER and follow up with your regular dentist when you are able.

We truly hope you’ll never need us, but if you do, AZ Dentist is a weekend emergency dentist in the Phoenix area. We are here for all types of dental emergencies, so get in touch if you need help.

Schedule Your Appointment