Emergency Dentistry — Las Cruces, NM
The Relief You Need, Right Away
While you can’t exactly “plan” for a dental emergency, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Simply visit Painted Skies Dental Center when the unavoidable happens! Whether you’re facing an oral injury, toothache, or worse, our dentists will quickly work with you to solve the issue. You’ll then find relief from your pain and a much healthier and stronger smile. If you’d like to learn more, please call our office or book a same-day visit with us.
Why Choose Painted Skies Dental Center for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Emergency Visits
- Comprehensive Dental Services
- Advanced Dental Technology
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
Whatever you do, don’t panic over your dental emergency. Our team is here to walk you through how we treat such problems. In fact, the process involves four simple steps:
- A Same-Day Appointment – We’ll set your visit for the earliest time possible when you call us. (We may even see you the very same day!) If necessary, we can also provide aid tips over the phone while you wait.
- An Emergency Exam – Once you reach our office, our dentists will conduct an oral exam and take dental X-rays as needed. These measures let us see the source of your problem and how to relieve your pain.
- A Findings Review – Our team will share the final diagnosis after your exam, as well as relevant procedures. We’ll then use your feedback to draft a treatment plan. (Rest assured, we’ll inform you of the treatment’s estimated time and cost.)
- Crucial Dental Work – We’ll fix your grin’s problem after drafting the treatment plan. After all, our office has the necessary expertise, skills, and experience!
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
You should always call us in a dental emergency, as we’ll see you on short notice and repair your smile. With that said, you can take steps to manage your dental dilemma before your visit. Simply click on one (or more) of the icons below and use the related tips. These guidelines will leave you in better shape by the time of your appointment, ensuring a smoother treatment process.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies aren’t all the same, so the cost of treating one varies. The only way to get a precise estimate for your own is to consult our dentists. After you’ve done so, our team can walk you through the factors that impact your final treatment’s price. We’ll then work to make your care affordable and outline helpful payment options, including our dental membership plan and flexible financing. For further details, please schedule an appointment or call our office.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
You can’t always avoid dental emergencies, but some habits can put you at greater risk of them. By taking the right precautions, you should be able to significantly lessen your chances of experiencing something problematic with your oral health. Try to make these incidents less likely by practicing the following measures in your daily life.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Other than keeping your pearly whites clean at home every day, you should also schedule dental visits with your dentist every six months. During your checkups and cleanings, our team will be able to help remove plaque and tartar from your teeth so that we can help you avoid significant problems from growing. We will also examine your mouth to ensure that you’re free of any underlying issues that can become problematic later on, such as tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. The earlier we can detect and treat problems, the better chance you will have of avoiding emergencies.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene at Home
In between your routine visits with your dentist, you will need to ensure your smile is clean by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash every day. Not only will this ensure your teeth stay fresh and clean, but you’ll also help maintain great oral health by reducing the chances of bacteria spreading and harming your smile. Be sure to brush thoroughly twice a day, floss once daily or after meals, and rinse with antibacterial mouthwash to ensure your teeth remain in great shape.
Stick to a Nutritious Diet
Although sugary and starchy foods can allow bacteria to settle around your smile more easily, it doesn’t mean you’ll have to completely cut them out of your diet. Simply make sure to consume these options moderately while sticking to nutritional meals that are beneficial to both you and your oral health. These should include foods like lean meats, crunchy veggies, fruits, and dairy products, which can help promote healthier gums and stronger bone tissue.
Wear a Mouthguard
If you enjoy contact sports, then you’ll want to make sure your teeth stay protected from physical activity. Many dental emergencies occur due to accidental trauma or injuries, but you can keep your smile safe with custom-made mouthguards. These oral appliances can cushion your teeth from impacts, making them more likely to remain intact and undamaged. If you grind or clench your teeth during sleep, you can keep your smile safe from gradual wear and tear with nightguards for bruxism.
Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth
Remember not to use your teeth for anything other than eating, talking, and smiling. To open packages or bottles, you should keep the proper tools handy instead of using your pearly whites. One wrong bite can easily result in a visit to your emergency dentist. To save yourself time, money, and trouble, it’s best to simply use the right equipment.
Root Canal Treatment
While it may sound harsh, a root canal is a safe way to preserve a damaged tooth and avoid extraction. The treatment only has a bad reputation because of the painful infection leading up to it. Indeed, an infected tooth’s ache comes from decay or damage reaching the inner tooth layer – the pulp. The good news is that a root canal removes the infected pulp, greatly reducing this discomfort. After said removal, our team will reseal the treated tooth and (as needed) place a dental crown.
Learn More About Root Canal Treatment
Tooth Extractions
We typically try to preserve patients’ natural dental structure, but there are some cases where tooth extraction is the best option to ensure overall oral health. In the following situations, we may recommend tooth removal in order to keep smiles healthy:
- When patients lack the space to shift teeth into their proper alignment.
- If one or more teeth must be removed to prepare for a denture.
- In cases of severe decay or damage that can’t be restored.
- A patient’s wisdom teeth don’t have room to erupt.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Will My Toothache Go Away On Its Own?
Toothaches don’t generally go away on their own, so it is best to schedule a checkup to ensure that nothing serious is going on. There are many potential causes for a toothache, and you’ll want to rule them out with a professional as soon as possible. Doing this can help you to catch underlying problems before they become more severe.
How Should I Sleep With Tooth Pain?
It can be difficult to get quality sleep when you are dealing with a nagging toothache. Until you’re able to see your emergency dentist in the morning, keep your head elevated. This will prevent blood from rushing to your head and intensifying your toothache. Additionally, take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed and avoid foods that are acidic, cold, or hard right before bed. Cold compresses can also help to numb discomfort.
Should I Visit the Emergency Room First For Dental Emergencies?
Most emergency rooms aren’t able to address dental emergencies effectively, so an emergency dentist is generally the best option. However, there are a few main exceptions. You should head directly to an emergency room if you have experienced a jaw fracture or dislocation, serious cut or laceration to the face or mouth, or an abscess or infection that is swollen to the point of affecting breathing or swallowing. In virtually all other circumstances, you should visit a dentist first.
Should Knocked-Out Teeth Be Placed In Water?
Water can be used to rinse a knocked-out tooth, but the tooth should not be placed in water. This is because water can damage the root surface cells of teeth, therefore reducing the chances of it being able to be placed back into the socket. Instead, do you best to place the tooth back into the open socket yourself. If you are unable to do so, place it in a container of milk, saline, or saliva while you head to the dental office.
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