As long as you see your dentist twice a year and keep up with regular oral hygiene habits, you probably don’t have to worry about usual diseases impacting teeth and gums. However, a dental emergency is an exception. There are situations when you cannot afford to wait to book an appointment, and unfortunately, only a handful of practices offer emergency dental care in Scottsdale. In this post, we share more about what to do in a dental emergency.
Know when to see an emergency dentist
Before anything else, it is critical to understand when you need urgent care and should visit your dentist. Examples include –
- You have a severe toothache
- You have an abscess in the gums
- You have a broken crown or dental restoration
- You have a chipped or broken tooth
- You have an avulsed tooth
- You have suffered a dental injury
Steps to take
- First and foremost, do not panic. Identify the concern and ensure that you take your time to breathe. Check for clinics in Scottsdale that offer emergency dental care and book an appointment with the nearest one. You can also talk to the staff and ask about medications that you can take until you reach the clinic.
- Try to contain the swelling and inflammation, for which you can use hot or cold compresses. For instance, if you have a severe abscess or toothache, a cold compress can offer some relief. For extreme toothache, consider taking a painkiller after speaking to your dentist.
- If you have an avulsed tooth, consider it your priority to see a dentist within an hour. Your dentist could save the tooth, provided you rush immediately. Hold the tooth from the top and try to place it back in the socket. Do not attempt this if you cannot withstand the pain; keep the tooth in a container of clean water or milk instead.
- Do not ignore the pain and discomfort and assume that things will get better, and this is particularly true if you have tooth decay or gum disease. Symptoms will only get worse with time. If you have pain, you can rinse your mouth with warm water to get some relief.
- Finally, when you go to the clinic, make sure you have someone with you. For injuries and severe symptoms, you may need help to drive back home after treatment.
An emergency dentist can offer the care and treatment you need, and top clinics have all the facilities to ensure patients don’t have to wait during urgent times.