Emergency Dental
Services in Phoenix, AZ

Identifying an Emergency

If you are worried that you might be bothering us with something that’s not a dental emergency, don’t be. We would much rather you call us to rule out a dental emergency. After all, we are here for you. That said, here are some cases that definitely qualify as dental emergencies. Call our Phoenix dental office immediately if you are experiencing any of the following:

• A severe toothache (either one that’s suddenly appeared or one that’s been around for a while and suddenly become a lot worse)
• A tooth that is cracked or fractured
• A cracked or broken denture
• A broken or chipped tooth
• Cuts on your gums, tongue, or inside your mouth
• A loose tooth (either from an injury or for some reason you don’t know)
• A tooth that gets knocked out – contact us right away as we only have a small window of time to save your tooth

Time is of the essence with most dental emergencies, and we advise that you don’t wait to contact our dental office because your condition can become much worse.

Bad Breath and Dental Infections

Patients often wonder if bad breath (halitosis) is a sign of a dental infection. The answer is yes, and no. If you can successfully eliminate your halitosis with brushing, flossing, gum mints, or antibacterial mouth rinse, you probably don’t have more significant problems going on. However, if you are struggling with bad breath that doesn’t go away no matter how much you try, it could be a sign of gingivitis or a tooth infection.

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, and you may also notice red or swollen gums, or bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth. This is an excellent time to be proactive and schedule a checkup and professional cleaning with Dr. Cavendish. You have the best chance of controlling and even reversing gum disease in some cases the earlier you treat your condition.

A tooth that is infected may also cause bad breath. If your tooth is infected, you could also be experiencing tooth sensitivity, often to temperature or biting. Again, it’s a good idea to contact Dr. Cavendish for an examination if you’re experiencing these symptoms. It might mean the difference between treating your tooth with a simple filling or needing root canal treatment.

Keeping You Comfortable During a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies can be painful, and we understand that you need relief fast. Dr. Cavendish and his team are committed to making your experience at our dental office in Phoenix, AZ as comfortable as possible. Dr. Cavendish equips our dental office with the latest technology that is designed to make your experience and procedure both pain and stress-free.

Equipment such as the dental laser or electric endodontic tools for root canal treatment make your procedure more comfortable and can even accelerate the healing process in some cases.

Patients who may require additional help feeling comfortable in the dental chair may benefit from a prescription to help manage dental anxiety. Dr. Cavendish is open to anything that helps make his patients feel safe and at ease during dental procedures, so be sure to talk with him about your concerns.

Plan for the Worst, Hope for the Best

Unfortunately, there’s only so much you can do to prepare for dental emergencies. Many times, these happen because of accidents and injuries you never saw coming. However, you can make a dental emergency kit to help make these situations less problematic.

The kit should have a small, sealable container; some sterile gauze; a small bottle of water; some non-aspirin pain relievers; and a piece of paper with our name, address, and phone number. Keep your dental emergency kit handy in your purse, backpack, or car. It’s also a good idea to bring your emergency items along when you travel.

How to Prevent Certain Dental Emergencies

While it may be impossible to prevent dental emergencies that arise from trauma or an accident, there are many situations you can avoid.

Being consistent about visiting Dr. Cavendish every six months for cleanings and checkups will help prevent many dental concerns like tooth decay or a painful infection.

For example, when Dr. Cavendish detects decay in your tooth, it’s likely he can restore your tooth with a simple dental filling as long as you are proactive about completing your treatment promptly. If you forget about the tooth decay (which may not be causing you pain) or put off completing your treatment, the decay will grow and eventually make its way into the nerve of your tooth, which can result in a painful infection or abscess in your tooth. Unfortunately, now your tooth needs more complex treatment like root canal therapy to eliminate the infection and preserve it.

Another way to protect your teeth from trauma is to wear a mouth guard if you or your child plays sports. Since sports activities are responsible for nearly half of all dental emergencies, a custom-fitted mouthguard is a great way to protect yourself and prevent a dental emergency in Phoenix, AZ.

You can also be your own best advocate and be sure to see Dr. Cavendish right away if you notice any changes in your oral health, such as patches of soft tissue that differ in color (white or red), or lesions in your mouth that don’t seem to be healing properly.