Emergency Dentist Phoenix

Every Dental Emergency is Different

When you arrive at our Phoenix dental office, we will quickly take you back to one of our treatment rooms, which is where one of our talented emergency dentists will meet you. After learning a bit more about what happened before you arrived, we will conduct an oral exam and take X-rays to determine which treatment (or combination of treatments) will restore your pain-free smile. While one patient may be struggling with a severely cracked tooth that needs to be extracted, the next might be dealing with a small cavity that can be fixed with a tooth-colored filling. Of course, we will review our findings, the available treatment options, and the associated costs beforehand.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Like dental injuries, dental plans aren’t the same from patient to patient. That’s why understanding the fine print on yours is so important. Naturally, that’s easier said than done, which is why we encourage our patients to reach out to their provider or our team for help. We’re in-network with BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, Guardian, and several other popular providers, which allows us to maximize your benefits to the fullest and answer any questions you have about your coverage along the way.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, then don’t postpone your treatment. Instead, talk to our team about the other financial solutions available, like CareCredit and our special offers. While CareCredit offers payment plans that break down the cost of your care into manageable chunks, our periodic specials help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. They each can play a big role in making your emergency dental treatment more affordable, so let us know if you are interested in learning more about either of these options.

Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money

This discussion about the cost of emergency dentistry wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the importance of preventive care. While accidents can’t be prevented, good oral hygiene habits can significantly reduce your chances of sustaining a dental injury. So, make sure to take proactive measures to keep your teeth strong and healthy, like brushing twice a day, flossing consistently, and getting a checkup and cleaning biannually. Wearing a mouthguard when you play sports and not using your teeth as tools are good best practices too!

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

At first, you might think, “What do my routine checkups have to do with preventing dental emergencies?” In short, quite a bit! For example, the examination portion of these visits allow us to catch tooth decay, damaged restorations, and the like before they require an urgent trip to our office for treatment. Furthermore, we can remove caked-on plaque and tartar during the cleaning, which will help prevent other oral health issues from arising in the future.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

To prevent cavities and other dental problems, you need to commit to a solid oral hygiene routine at home. That begins with brushing twice a day and extends to flossing and rinsing with mouthwash. Remember, the products you use and frequency matters! In addition to brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste, you need to brush for a full two minutes twice a day. Similarly, rinse with mouthwash for the recommended time on the bottle (usually 30 to 60 seconds).

Stick to a Nutritious Diet

Simply put, eating a well-balanced diet is essential to good oral health. While you don’t have to cut out any of your favorites, it is important to keep your consumption of foods and drinks with added sugar to a minimum. It’s also crucial to eat vitamin-rich foods throughout the day, including fresh fruits and vegetables. On a similar note, don’t chew on extremely crunchy items, like ice – it’s one of the easiest ways to crack a tooth!

Wear a Mouthguard

Do you play sports? Do you grind your teeth? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, then talk to our team about having a custom mouthguard made. Comfortable and discreet, this device can help protect your teeth from numerous dental injuries as well as premature wear and tear.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

One of the most common mistakes patients make is that they use their teeth as tools. For example, if they are having trouble opening a package with their hands, they will rip it open with their teeth. This is a big mistake because your teeth aren’t designed to withstand that kind of pressure. Plus, you’re introducing countless bacteria to your mouth! So, always use the proper tools instead.

When Should I Go to the ER for a Dental Emergency?

If you have experienced severe trauma to your face that has caused swelling, lacerations, or a broken or fractured jaw, you’ll need to visit your local ER before you seek treatment from your emergency dentist. If you believe you have an untreated tooth infection that’s been lingering for a few weeks, this may also require urgent medical care.

Once you’ve gotten the medical attention you need, our team at Smile Fitness Dental Centers will provide you with necessary cosmetic or restorative services to get your smile up-and-running again. 

How Can I Ease Dental Pain?

If you’re experiencing oral pain caused by a toothache or sensitivity, most people turn to over-the-counter pain medication to help. Be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle. Also, avoid letting aspirin come into direct contact with your gums, because it could cause the area to burn. Some other ways you can relieve dental discomfort is to:

• Rinse with warm saltwater. Mix ½ teaspoon of table salt in every 8 ounces of water. Be sure to spit it out and gently floss around your sore tooth to remove anything that may be lodged.
• Applying a cold compress for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off on your cheek can help ease pain and bring down swelling caused by a chipped or knocked-out tooth.
• There are also over-the-counter anesthetics that contain benzocaine, which will numb your mouth until you reach the emergency dentist’s office. Keep in mind that these are only meant to be used for temporary pain relief.

Do I Need a Tooth Extraction?

Typically, tooth extractions are only suggested if the damaged tooth can’t be saved. If we’re able to preserve your natural tooth, we’ll suggest root canal therapy or a filling and dental crown. However, there are a few tell-tale signs that your tooth will need to be removed in order to preserve the rest of your mouth. If your tooth has sustained severe decay that can’t be treated with a root canal or you have an infection that your body can’t fight off due to a compromised immune system, it may need to be extracted.

Do Emergency Dentists Offer Sedation Options?

If you’re scared of the dentist or are experiencing intense pain, we offer multiple dental sedation techniques to help make you feel comfortable and relaxed. These include anti-anxiety medications taken prior to your appointment or nitrous oxide administered at the beginning of your treatment. We also have other amenities like headphones, so you can block out the background noise and focus on something other than your discomfort.