The first hour after a dental injury decides a lot. A knocked-out tooth that is handled well can often be saved. A broken tooth that is protected hurts less and is easier to fix. And a swelling that is heading the wrong direction needs an emergency room, not a dentist. Here is what to do in Ahwatukee, in plain steps.
First: call us
Call Kokopelli Family and Cosmetic Dentistry at (480) 283-0733 as soon as you can. We prioritize emergencies and will get you in as soon as we can. We are open Tuesday through Friday, 7 AM to 3 PM, plus select Saturdays.
If it is after hours, leave a voicemail. We call back first thing the next business day. In the meantime, use the steps below, and if any of the ER signs near the end of this post apply to you, go to the ER now and call us after.
A knocked-out tooth
Time matters most here. A tooth that is put back in its socket within about 30 minutes has the best chance of reattaching.
- •Find the tooth. Pick it up by the crown, the white part you normally see. Do not touch the root.
- •If it is dirty, rinse it very briefly with milk or saline. Do not scrub it, do not use soap, and do not wrap it in tissue.
- •If you can, put it back into the socket right away, facing the right direction, and hold it in place by biting gently on a clean cloth.
- •If you cannot put it back, keep it wet. Milk is best. Saliva works too. Do not store it in water.
- •Call us and come straight in.
This applies to permanent teeth only. Do not try to replant a knocked-out baby tooth. Bring your child in so we can check the area, but a baby tooth goes in a bag, not back in the socket.
A broken or chipped tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water. If there is bleeding, hold gauze or a clean cloth on it with light pressure. Save any pieces you can find and bring them with you.
If the broken edge is sharp, a bit of dental wax from any pharmacy, or even sugar-free gum, over the edge will protect your tongue and cheek until we see you. Avoid chewing on that side.
A small chip with no pain can usually wait until the next open day. A break that exposes a pink or yellow center, or one that hurts with air or cold, should be seen quickly because the nerve may be involved.
A severe toothache
A toothache that keeps you up at night usually means the nerve inside the tooth is inflamed or infected. It will not resolve on its own, and antibiotics alone do not fix it.
While you wait for your appointment, over-the-counter pain relievers taken as directed on the package are reasonable if you have no medical reason to avoid them. Do not put aspirin on the gum or tooth. It burns the tissue. Rinse with warm salt water, keep the area clean, and avoid very hot or cold food.
If the pain comes with swelling in your face or jaw, read the next section.
Swelling
Swelling means infection has spread beyond the tooth. A firm, tender swelling in the gum near one tooth needs to be seen promptly, and that is something we handle in the office.
Swelling that involves your cheek, under your jaw, or under your eye, or that came on quickly, is more serious. Call us right away. If it comes with any of the signs below, do not wait for us.
When to go to the ER instead
Go to the nearest emergency room, or call 911, if you have:
- •Swelling that makes it hard to breathe, swallow, or open your mouth
- •Swelling that is spreading toward your eye or down your neck
- •A high fever with facial swelling
- •Bleeding that does not stop after 15 minutes of firm pressure
- •A possible broken jaw, or a blow to the head with loss of consciousness, confusion, or vomiting
The ER will treat the infection or the injury and stabilize you. Then call us. The tooth still needs a dentist, and we will get you in.
What we can do once you are here
We stop the pain first, then deal with the cause. Depending on what we find, that may mean a filling, a crown, a root canal, an extraction, or reattaching a knocked-out tooth. We show you the X-ray, explain the options, and give you a cost estimate before we begin. Most PPO insurance is accepted, and we file the claim for you. Read more about emergency dentistry in Ahwatukee.
Frequently asked questions
Should I go to urgent care for a toothache?
Urgent care can prescribe pain medication or antibiotics, but they cannot treat the tooth. If you cannot reach a dentist and the pain is severe, it is a reasonable stopgap. Call us as soon as we open.
My crown fell off. Is that an emergency?
Usually not, but call us. Keep the crown, keep the tooth clean, and avoid chewing on it. We will get you in to re-cement it or make a plan for a new one.
What if it is a weekend?
We are open select Saturdays. On other weekends, leave a voicemail and we will return your call when we reopen. If you have ER signs, go to the ER.
Will you see me if I am not a patient yet?
Yes. Emergencies are how many of our patients first found us.
Next step
Call Kokopelli Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Ahwatukee at (480) 283-0733. Tell us what happened and we will tell you what to do next and when to come in.
Disclaimer: This article is general information from Dr. Harveer Kaur and is not a substitute for a dental exam, diagnosis, or treatment. Every mouth is different. If you have a concern about your teeth or gums, call our Ahwatukee office at (480) 283-0733 or our Chandler office at (480) 895-3252 and we will help you sort it out.
Dr. Harveer Kaur, DDS, BDS
Dr. Kaur is the founder of Kokopelli Dentistry, serving patients in Ahwatukee and Chandler, Arizona. She focuses on family and cosmetic dentistry.
Meet Dr. Kaur →