Do you have a sudden, severe dental problem? You may have a dental emergency. Call 520-412-9162 if you need urgent dental care. Emergency dentistry is one of the general services we provide in Sahuarita, AZ.
Same-day dental care helps make sure your problems don’t get worse. Dr. Jordan Morris is your local emergency dentist in Sahuarita, AZ. He can treat many common emergencies, like lost permanent teeth and toothaches, to prevent future problems. Dr. Morris can also treat the pain and discomfort that come with these issues.
What are Dental Emergencies?
A dental emergency is an issue that puts the health of your teeth and gums at risk. These need quick care from a dental professional. As your emergency dentist in Sahuarita, AZ, Dr. Morris can treat the following common dental emergencies.
Tooth Pain
Many things can cause tooth pain, like decay, injuries, or abscesses. Contact our office if you have sudden or severe toothaches that won’t go away. We will check your mouth to find the source of your pain and choose the best treatment for you.
Broken Tooth
If you have broken a tooth into many pieces, try to find the pieces and put them in a cup of saliva to bring to our office. Press gauze on the broken tooth. For a small chip, we suggest tooth bonding, which uses resin to fix the tooth.
For bigger chips, we recommend veneers or dental crowns. Veneers cover the front of the tooth, while crowns cover the entire tooth. Getting treatment for a broken tooth can prevent more damage, discomfort, and infection.
Lost Permanent Tooth
If you have lost or knocked out a permanent tooth, try to find it and hold it by the crown (top part). Gently rinse it with water, but don’t scrub it as that can remove connective tissue. Try to put the tooth back in its socket and bite down gently.
You can also place it in a cup of saliva to bring to our office. Keeping the tooth moist helps us have a better chance of reattaching it. If we can’t reattach the tooth, we will suggest a replacement, like a dental implant.
Broken and Lost Restorations
Have you broken or lost a filling, bridge, crown, or other restoration? Call our office and don’t try to put the restoration back in your mouth, as you can damage your teeth or gums. If possible, bring the restoration to our office.
We will check the damage and make a plan to get a new restoration. We can also provide a temporary replacement in the meantime.
Mouth Bleeding
If your gums bleed when you brush, you might have gingivitis or gum swelling. Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease, causing bleeding and swollen gums. While this isn’t an emergency, we suggest you schedule a dental cleaning so we can remove bacteria from your teeth and gums. Gingivitis can turn into permanent periodontitis.
Other causes of bleeding in the mouth can include dental injuries or heavy bleeding after a tooth is pulled. If you have severe bleeding that doesn’t stop for days after treatment, please call our office. Also, if you have a dental injury that causes bleeding, contact us so we can help stop it.
What Is Not a Dental Emergency?
You can schedule an appointment with us to treat these dental problems, but you don’t need emergency care if you have:
- Mild tooth pain: A dull toothache can wait for treatment. If you have other mild symptoms, please tell us when you call our office. We will examine your mouth to find the cause of your pain.
- Food stuck between teeth: If you have food stuck between your teeth, try using a toothpick or floss. You can also rinse your mouth with warm salt water. If these don’t work, call our office. We will likely have an opening the next day to help you.
- Minor gum bleeding: If your gums bleed when you brush and floss, you might have gum inflammation. This is a sign of early gum disease. However, gum inflammation is easy to fix, so contact us for a cleaning and exam. We will also give you tips on how to brush your teeth and gums better.
If you have a physical injury in addition to a dental emergency, visit a hospital first. Once you are healthy, we can treat your dental problems.
How to Prevent a Dental Emergency
Sometimes, you can prevent dental emergencies before they happen. Some ways you can stop emergencies include:
- Brush and Floss: Good brushing and flossing are key to preventing gum and tooth infections. Start by flossing before brushing to get rid of food and bacteria between your teeth. Brush with fluoride toothpaste to help stop cavities.
- Visit the Dentist: During your usual dental check-ups, we use X-rays to monitor how your mouth is growing and catch dental issues early. These digital X-rays help us spot problems before they get worse. Cleanings are also important during these visits. A hygienist will professionally clean your teeth, getting rid of bacteria and food buildup on your teeth and gums, which lowers the chance of infections.
- Avoid Bad Oral Health Habits: Biting your nails, chewing on ice, and using teeth as tools can damage your teeth. Stop these bad habits to prevent chipping or breaking a tooth.
- Wear a Mouthguard: If you play contact sports, wearing a mouthguard helps protect your mouth from injuries. Hits to the mouth can chip, crack, or knock out a tooth. A rubbery mouthguard absorbs some of the impact from these hits, lowering the chances of dental injuries.
Call For Emergency Dental Care Near You
In a dental emergency, please call Dr. Morris in Sahuarita at 520-412-9162. If you have a dental problem but do not require immediate care, request a dental appointment on our website. We’re here to answer all your questions about your dental health.