Timing is everything when you experience a dental emergency. A swift response can save a tooth, reduce the need for extensive dental treatments, and help prevent infection. Peak Family Dental Care provides an emergency dental care guide for our Flagstaff, Cottonwood, and Sedona patients. We understand the urgency and fear of these situations, which is why we've created this comprehensive guide to help you navigate common dental emergencies confidently. Contact us today to learn more.

Identifying Dental Emergencies

The first step in caring for a dental emergency is to know what constitutes an emergency. We are always here to guide you through the emergency. Some of the most common dental emergencies and their symptoms include the following: 

• Severe Toothache – If you have a severe or persistent toothache, you may have a bacterial infection or abscess. Any type of persistent pain in your mouth requires immediate attention.
• Broken or Cracked Tooth – A broken or cracked tooth can cause severe pain and may lead to complications if not treated promptly. If you chipped or broke your tooth, it's best to contact us as soon as possible.
• Knocked-Out Tooth – Knocking out a permanent tooth requires immediate dental care. We suggest recovering your tooth by the crown and bringing it to us in water or milk.
• Abscessed Tooth – An abscessed tooth, characterized by severe pain and swelling in the gums, can lead to serious systemic infections if not treated immediately.
• Lost Filling or Crown – A lost filling or crown exposes the vulnerable part of your tooth, making it prone to damage and decay.

First Aid Steps When You Have a Dental Emergency

The most important thing to do when you have a dental emergency is to remain calm. You can use an ice pack to help minimize your pain and swelling. Contact our dental team as soon as possible so that we can begin treatment. The first aid steps for specific dental emergencies before you come to our office include the following:

• For a Toothache – Rinse your mouth with warm water. Use dental floss to help remove any lodged food. If the pain persists, contact us immediately.
• For a Broken or Cracked Tooth – Rinse your mouth with warm water. Apply an ice pack to the affected area to help minimize swelling. Contact us as soon as possible.
• For a Knocked-Out Tooth – Never hold the tooth by the root. Hold the tooth by the crown, and rinse it if it is dirty. Try to place it back in its socket. If that's not possible, keep it moist in a container of milk or water.
• For an Abscessed Tooth – Rinse your mouth with a mild saltwater solution of ½ teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water several times a day.
• For a Lost Filling or Crown – Keep the lost dental restoration, and bring it with you to our office. If the tooth is causing pain, use dental cement or sugar-free gum to cover the area.

When to Contact Peak Family Dental Care

You should never ignore any severe dental pain, injury, or discomfort. It's crucial to contact Peak Family Dental Care immediately in these instances. We emphasize the importance of timely professional care to prevent further complications.

The Critical Need for Fast Dental Care

If you have a dental emergency, don't let it sit. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to get the dental treatment you need to enhance your oral health. Some of the most important reasons to seek emergency dental care include the following: 

• Reduce Risks – Leaving a dental injury untreated may lead to the spread of infection or worse damage to your mouth. 
• Increased Success – When you contact us as soon as possible during a dental emergency, we have an increased chance of restoring your dental health and repairing the issue.  
• Treat Pain – We understand many dental emergencies cause extreme pain, so we can help lower the pain levels by addressing the dental emergency.

Our Approach to Emergency Dental Care

At Peak Family Dental Care, we pride ourselves on our rapid response and patient-focused treatment. We understand that dental emergencies can be stressful, so we strive to provide comfortable, compassionate care alongside effective treatment. We welcome you into our comfortable office, where you can feel right at home. Our team offers hot towels, blankets, pillows, and sedation dentistry. We're committed to helping you feel calm and comfortable during your dental emergency. 

We Provide Advanced Solutions

Our dental office offers advanced technology to help boost comfort levels and provide high-quality treatment. We offer a cone beam scanner, digital X-rays, an occlusal analysis system, joint vibration analysis, and DIAGNOdent™ to help diagnose the cause of your dental issues. If you have a dental emergency, we understand our high-tech equipment will help treat it quickly and efficiently. We offer CEREC same-day crowns to ensure you can get your dental crowns quickly. 

Common Procedures in Emergency Dental Care

We base our dental procedures on your specific dental emergency. Whether you need a tooth extraction, root canal, or a replacement for a dental restoration, we are here for you. We do our best to preserve the natural tooth when possible. Our primary goal is to restore your oral health. Some of the specific procedures we may perform for emergency dental care services include the following: 

• Cracked Tooth – We will assess the extent of the crack and determine the appropriate treatment, which may involve bonding, dental veneers, or a dental crown.
• Dental Trauma – We will perform dental X-rays and recommend the necessary treatment, including tooth repositioning, splinting, or root canal therapy.
• Severe Toothache – Severe toothaches may require a dental filling, root canal therapy, or tooth extraction.
• Lost Fillings – We typically replace your lost dental filling with a new one to restore the tooth's function and protect it from further decay.
• Lost Crown – If you lose a dental crown, we can re-cement the existing crown, or create a new one.
• Tooth Extraction – Some dental emergencies may require a tooth extraction. We may extract the tooth if it is severely damaged, infected, or causing crowding. 

How to Avoid Dental Emergencies

Many dental emergencies are inevitable. The best tips to help avoid dental emergencies include the following:

• Maintain your oral health with routine check-ups
• Wear a mouthguard when playing sports
• Avoid chewing your fingernails
• Avoid chewing hard food
• Visit our dental team regularly

Emergency Room vs. Dental Office

If you experience a life-threatening injury, contact 911 or go to an emergency room. Our team can help you with dental emergencies that are not life-threatening. It's critical to go to the emergency room if you experience broken bones, severe pain, a blow to the head, or uncontrollable bleeding.

Contact Peak Family Dental Care

Peak Family Dental Care understands dealing with a dental emergency can be overwhelming, but we are here for you. Reach out to us for emergency dental advice, and we will help you through the process. We take quick and effective action to help lower dental pain and damage. We help get you back to your daily routine as quickly as possible. Trust us to be your partners in oral health, providing the care you need when you need it most. Reach out to Peak Family Dental Care today for more information or if you experience a dental emergency.