

Our team at Sweet Smiles Family Dentistry & Orthodontics never wants to leave a patient in pain or discomfort, which is why we provide emergency appointments whenever possible. If you have a toothache, something lodged between your teeth, or are dealing with any out-of-the-ordinary symptoms, don’t hesitate to call our team immediately. We’ll provide you with over-the-phone first-aid guidance as well as fast and effective emergency dentistry in our Marana, AZ dental office.
Handling dental emergencies can be difficult, especially when you’re in shock and can’t think clearly. Fortunately, our experienced dental staff as well as Dr. Alison Fitzgerald are here to help you get out of pain quickly, all while minimizing any damage to your smile. We’ve also included some helpful information below on how to handle the most common dental emergencies to relieve some of your discomfort until you get to our dental office.
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The cost of your dental emergency visit will depend on a couple of key factors, including what the issue at-hand is and what treatment option you go with to provide you with lasting relief. Dr. Fitzgerald always takes the time to walk you through your options so you can make the best decision for your smile, and our team is more than happy to assist with any financial questions. We offer an in-house financing plan to make treatment affordable for patients, and we accept dental insurance as well.
When determining the cost of your dental emergency, we must first determine what type of injury has occurred and the best way to approach it. Generally, if you only require antibiotics or another prescribed medication, the cost of your treatment will be lower. However, if you are needing a more complex treatment, like a dental crown or root canal, you will be looking at a higher cost. Until you see us, there is no way of knowing how much you will pay to restore your smile to health.
Most of the time, dental insurance providers agree to cover emergency dental services. How much they cover is based on the type of restorative treatment you need. Some companies will pay at least 50% of the total cost, but you need to contact your insurer to find out the specific details of your plan. We are in-network with numerous popular insurance plants, but we also welcome out-of-network plans.
If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean that you will be left completely on your own. We work with CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. To learn more about your financial options, talk to one of our friendly team members.
Not all dental emergencies are preventable, but when you implement an excellent oral hygiene routine and eliminate bad habits, like crunching on ice and smoking, you can reduce your probability of experiencing one. You should also keep an eye out for changes in your mouth. Even something minor, like a toothache, can become a much larger issue without treatment. It is possible that smaller dental emergencies can be resolved with less costly solutions if treated right away. Ultimately, by receiving regular preventive care and addressing changes in your mouth immediately, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
It isn’t always possible to prevent all dental emergencies from occurring. However, there are some precautionary measures that you can take to drastically reduce your risk of ending up in your emergency dentist’s treatment chair. Additionally, several unhealthy habits can significantly increase your chances of experiencing severe oral health problems that will require urgent care. To protect your smile in the long run, here are five essential ways to prevent dental emergencies in Marana!
Scheduling regular dental checkups and cleanings every six months is one of the most important ways to keep your teeth strong, healthy, and safe. Not only will Dr. Fitzgerald thoroughly polish your smile to remove any stubborn plaque and tartar, but she’ll also monitor your oral health. During your appointment, she’ll check your teeth, gums, tongue, jaw, and other oral tissues and provide treatment for any developing issues she might find, such as cavities and gum disease, before they can worsen over time. You’ll also receive personalized care to help prevent serious oral health problems from starting altogether.
Aside from your visits to your dentist, you’ll need to keep your teeth clean daily. Make sure to brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day, using a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent wearing down your enamel. You should also floss at least once daily or after every meal to remove debris, plaque, and bacteria from the areas your toothbrush won’t be able to reach. Rinse with non-alcoholic mouthwash frequently to help preserve healthy gums and keep your breath fresh.
Your diet plays an incredibly essential role in maintaining a strong and healthy smile. While everyone knows that sugar can cause cavities, foods that are packed with carbohydrates and starches can also add fuel to bacteria growth in your mouth. You’ll want to avoid overindulging on sports drinks, energy drinks, and even fruit juices, which are highly acidic and can weaken your enamel dramatically. Try sticking to meals that are loaded with calcium and fiber to strengthen your pearly whites and reduce your risk of tooth decay.
Do you tend to play contact sports where there’s a chance that you can get hit in the face? If so, you may want to ask about wearing athletic mouthguards that can protect your teeth from sudden impacts. Our dental team will be able to assess your oral situation and recommend the best products that can address your specific smile. We can also provide you with custom-made nightguards for bruxism, which are beneficial for patients who tend to grind or clench their teeth in their sleep. With these dental appliances, you won’t have to worry about gradually wearing down and weakening your enamel.
The last thing you’d want is to need emergency dentistry after trying to open a package with your teeth. While this might seem convenient or save you a few seconds, doing so can place you at risk of accidentally chipping, cracking, or breaking your pearly whites. To avoid requiring urgent dental care, you should never use your teeth to open containers (like a bottle or box), bite your fingernails, or even hold grocery bags. Instead, make sure you have scissors, bottle openers, and other handy tools nearby to prevent the temptation to put your smile in danger of a dental emergency.
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Is my toothache a dental emergency? A toothache can be an indication of a serious oral health issue, so it should be considered a dental emergency. Although most cases are caused by cavities, this condition may require urgent care if accompanied by the following:
How you should handle a toothache: If there’s food lodged between your teeth, try flossing around the affected area to avoid discomfort. Should any pain persist for too long (or you start experiencing any of the above signs), contact our team immediately. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen. Try applying a cold compress to minimize swelling and numb the area. Rinsing with salt water can also alleviate discomfort, reduce inflammation, and fight against infection.
How we treat toothaches: Toothaches can be due to various reasons, including cracked teeth, cavities, gum disease, bruxism, and dental abscess. To determine the cause of your situation, it’s best to schedule an appointment with us to undergo an oral examination. After finding the root of the issue, we can recommend your treatment options, which can involve nightguards for bruxism, gum disease therapy, root canal therapy, and in more severe cases only, tooth extractions.
Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? While a chipped tooth isn’t always an urgent situation, you’ll still need to repair it within a few days to avoid further damage. Even if you feel no discomfort, neglecting the issue can increase the chance of the damage worsening, as your teeth can’t regenerate on their own.
How you should handle a chipped tooth: Collect any pieces of your tooth that you can find and bring them to your appointment. Try applying dental wax, or even sugar-free gum, on any sharp edges of your tooth to avoid injuring other soft oral tissues. Covering the compromised area can also help prevent sensitivity and infection. Refrain from chewing on that side of your mouth until we can treat you.
How we treat chipped teeth: Oftentimes, we can restore chipped teeth with dental bonding, either to fill in the area or recementing pieces of your natural tooth. However, if you’ve chipped a front tooth, then you might consider getting veneers for a more beautiful and long-lasting solution.
Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Since your enamel protects the inner layers of your teeth, a cracked or broken tooth can cause you to be more vulnerable to damage and infection. To avoid these complications, you should seek treatment as quickly as possible.
How you should handle a cracked tooth: Call us right away if your tooth gets cracked. Once you’ve scheduled an appointment, rinse your mouth with plain or tap water. Use over-the-counter pain medications or an ice pack if necessary to manage discomfort and inflammation. Avoid eating or drinking anything other than water until you come to see our team. If you must eat, stay away from hard, sugary, sour, acidic, and sticky foods.
How we treat cracked teeth: A dental crown is often the go-to treatment for a cracked tooth, as this will strengthen and protect the compromised area. For minor cases, you might be able to fix the issue with dental bonding. If your tooth is beyond repair, then we might need to extract it and review your restoration options, such as a dental implant.
Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? It is common for teeth to feel sensitive to things that are hot or cold. If you notice distracting, lingering, or sharp tooth sensitivity, give us a call so we can take a look.
How you should handle sensitive teeth: Until you see us for your visit, avoid eating or drinking things that are particularly hot, cold, spicy, acidic, or sugary. Practice thorough oral hygiene and drink plenty of water. If needed, over-the-counter pain relievers can help to manage discomfort.
How we treat tooth sensitivity: We will need to examine your smile to determine the cause of your sensitivity and the best way to address it. We may recommend specialized dental products, prescription toothpaste, fluoride treatment, or a dental filling. Other treatments include gum disease therapy and root canal therapy.
Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? A knocked-out tooth is an urgent dental emergency that needs to be addressed right away. For the best chance of saving your tooth, it’s crucial that you seek help from a dentist right away. Ideal, you should get dental attention within an hour.
How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: Start by locating your knocked-out tooth. Remember to only touch the crown when picking it up. Avoid the root, and gently rinse your tooth with warm water, but don’t scrub off any remaining tissue. If you can, place your tooth back into the socket. If you can’t, keep it between your cheek and gums, or place it in a container of milk or saliva. Your tooth needs to stay moist until you get to the practice, but don’t use water. This can damage the root surface cells of the tooth.
How we treat knocked-out teeth: If you’re able to make it to the office in time, we’ll do our best to reimplant the tooth. Your emergency dentist will do this by carefully positioning the tooth back into the socket and splinting it to the neighboring teeth so it can begin healing. If your tooth cannot be saved, we can discuss tooth replacement options, like dental implants.
Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? Both fillings and crowns are long-lasting, but they eventually need to be replaced. If one of your restorations falls out, give us a call. Even if you don’t feel any pain, it still needs to be repaired quickly to prevent further decay or damage.
How you should handle a lost filling or crown: If you can, find the restoration and rinse it off. Try to put it back into its place using dental wax. If you can’t keep it in a small container and bring it with you to your appointment. Until then avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and drink plenty of water to keep the area clean.
How we treat lost fillings or crowns: If your crown or restoration is still in good shape, we may be able to put it back. However, we will also take the time to determine why the restoration came out in the first place. This way, we can take all the proper steps to prevent this from happening again.