Emergency Dental Care When You Need It in Paradise Valley, AZ

Dental Emergency Guide From Dr. Ngo

Dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time. Here is what Dr. David Ngo and the S&L Dental team want patients in Paradise Valley and Scottsdale to know, from the first few minutes to the moment you reach our office. If you are unsure whether something is an emergency, call Dr. Ngo, describe what happened, and we will tell you what to do next.

When the hospital comes first

Most dental problems are resolved fastest in a dental chair, but call 911 or head to the nearest emergency room if you notice any of the following:

• Swelling that is spreading toward the eye or neck, or that interferes with breathing or swallowing
• Bleeding that has not stopped after 15 to 20 minutes of firm, continuous pressure
• A possible broken or dislocated jaw, or a facial injury with any loss of consciousness
• Fever along with facial swelling and feeling unwell

For anything else, calling S&L Dental first is usually quicker. An emergency room can manage pain and infection, but it cannot repair a tooth.

Knocked-out adult tooth: act within the hour

Lift the tooth by the crown and avoid touching the root. Rinse it briefly in milk or saline, not tap water, and do not scrub it. Slide it back into the socket and hold it in place if you can. If you cannot, store it in milk or your own saliva so it stays moist. Teeth have the best chance of surviving when we see you within 60 minutes.

Tooth pushed out of position

Using very light finger pressure, ease the tooth back toward its normal position and bite down gently to hold it there until you reach us.

Chipped, cracked or fractured tooth

Rinse with warm water, save any broken pieces, and hold a cold pack against your cheek to limit swelling. An over-the-counter pain reliever taken as directed can help while you wait. Even a minor chip should be examined, because cracks can extend beneath the gum where you cannot see them. Request an appointment with Dr. Ngo right away.

Persistent toothache

Rinse with warm salt water and floss gently around the tooth to remove anything caught there. Never rest aspirin against the gum, because it burns the tissue. Lingering pain can mean an infection such as an abscess, so call us rather than waiting.

Swelling or a bump on the gum

A pimple-like bump, a constant bad taste or swelling near a tooth often signals infection. Do not attempt to drain it. Rinse with warm salt water and call the same day, and if the swelling is spreading or you feel sick, follow the hospital guidance above.

Lost crown or filling

Keep the crown. Temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can protect the tooth, and a dab of clove oil eases sensitivity. Skip household glue and denture adhesive, chew on the other side, and call us, because an unprotected tooth can break or decay quickly.

Cut lip, tongue or cheek

Rinse gently, then press clean gauze firmly on the area and use a cold pack for swelling. Seek emergency care if bleeding continues after 15 to 20 minutes of steady pressure.

Something wedged between teeth

Ease floss in gently. Never use pins, needles or other sharp tools, which can damage the gum or tooth. If it will not budge, call us.

Braces wire or bracket problem

Press a stray wire flat with a pencil eraser or cover it with orthodontic wax. Do not cut it, since a loose piece could be swallowed or inhaled. Call us to arrange a repair.

Pain days after an extraction

Throbbing that begins two to four days after a tooth is removed may be dry socket, when the protective clot is lost. It is treatable and usually eases quickly once seen, so call instead of waiting.

Preventing the next emergency

Wear a mouthguard for contact sports, avoid biting hard candy, ice and popcorn kernels, and keep a small kit at home with gauze, a clean lidded container and an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Call S&L Dental

Reach Dr. Ngo and our team at 480-445-9898. A quick call lets us tell you exactly what to do, and we would always rather hear from you early than have you wait in pain or lose a tooth that could have been saved.

This page provides general first-aid guidance and is not a substitute for an examination. If symptoms are severe or worsening, seek immediate care.