Tag Archives: Phoenix Emergency Dentist

Afraid of the dentist and have emergency

I’ve been afraid of the dentist for quite some time. I probably haven’t been in about five years. Now, I’ve got quite a toothache and I don’t know what to do about it.  Well, I know go to the dentist, but I get a knot in my stomach like you wouldn’t believe. Is there anything I can take for that?

Muriel H. – Delaware

Muriel,

I’m sorry for the fear you’ve been experiencing. As you’ve probably guessed, avoiding the dentist causes more problems. Anything you take at home is likely to interfere with anything your dentist will want to give you.

There is medication your dentist can give you to help relax you.  IT will make the appointment go much easier for you. I realize that because you haven’t been to the dentist in about five years, that it may mean you don’t have a regular dentist.

If that is the case, you still need to get in quickly before the infection spreads. There are emergency dentists that will see you quite soon, some even the same day. Make sure you go to an emergency dentist that is also equipped to give you some form of sedation as well, so you won’t have to deal with the anxiety as well.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentists Drs. Kevin and Hilary Peck.

DIY Tooth repair

I’ve been seeing some videos about DIY tooth repair. There is tooth filling material at the drug store.  Is this a legit thing?  I’ve had a toothache and have been putting off going to the dentist because…well, I’m a dental chicken.  I’m wondering if this DIY is the solution I’ve been looking for, but don’t want to waste time on something that doesn’t actually work.

Marvin G. – Alabama

Marvin,

I’m glad you asked this, because it will save you serious trouble down the road.  That tooth filling material you see at the pharmacy is meant to be a temporary stop gap until you get to the dentists–at the most a few days. It’s useful if you lost a filling and are waiting for your appointment or are out of town.

I don’t know which videos you are referring to, but wondered how did they propose you get out the infected and / or material?  That’s an important step that can’t be ignored.   Otherwise, you’re leaving the infection.  It’s like wrapping a bandage on a broken arm.

Don’t feel bad about being a dental chicken. Around 20% of American’s are.  I don’t know if you have a dentist or not, but if you do, ask him or her to use dental sedation during your appointment. It will allow you to get your infection cared for without pain.

If you don’t have a dentist, an emergency dentist will see you, usually the same day, even if you’re not an established patient.  I would make sure they do sedation as well.  It will give you  a much more pleasant  dental experience and will help you with the dental anxiety you’ve been experiencing.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Kevin Peck.

I called my dentist in pain and he told me to schedule an appointment

I called my dentist in massive pain.  I mean massive.  I’m still in pain, but a friend gave me some of their left over oxycodones.  That’s helping numb me out some, but it is not taking care of the complete frustration I feel at my dentist completely ignoring me.  He told me I’d have to schedule an appointment just like everyone else. The soonest they can see me?  Two weeks!  He said he’d call me in an antibiotic until then.  Gee, thanks.  I can just live in complete torture. Is this standard practice?

B.L. – New Jersey

B.L.,

Wow! I’m sorry for your experience. You really need a dentist that cares.  Dr. Peck lives close to his practice, just so he can help patients quickly in situations like yours.

You’ll want to get this problem looked at right away. I know I’m preaching to the choir here, I just wanted to reiterate that you’re right in your feeling of urgency.  This will only spread. People actually still die from tooth infections.

I want you to google emergency dentist. See who’s in your area that will see non-established patients quickly. Some will even see them the same day.

Your dentist giving you an antibiotic without actually dealing with the problem is actually pretty dangerous. It could even make your infection resistent.  If I were in your place, once I dealt with the infection, I’d start looking for a new dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

I don’t like my dentist but have a toothache

I haven’t been to the dentist in two years. Mostly because the guy is a total jerk.  Every time I try to make conversation he finds fault in something I say and tells me what is wrong with me.  I haven’t had time to find a new dentist, but I have a massive toothache.   What do I do if I don’t want to go to my dentist?

Mandy P. – Colorado

Mandy,

There are few things worse than someone who is always finding fault with our ideas. It gets even worse when we think we might have to tuck tail and go ask that person for help.

Fortunately, you don’t have to go to this dentist. In fact, I recommend you don’t.  There are great dentists out there. Dentists who care about their patients.  You can find one of those dentists.

In the meantime, you have to do something about this toothache.  My suggestion is that you look up emergency dentists in your area.  Many of these dentists will see you the same day you call them.

You may even like that dentist so much that they become your new dentist.  Whatever you do, don’t put this off.   Believe it or not. Patients still die from tooth infections.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Kevin Peck.

What if I can’t reach my dentist?

I have a massive toothache, but can’t seem to reach my dentist. There is an answering machine, but I haven’t gotten a return call. If I weren’t in so much pain, I’d be OK waiting until Monday. What do you do if you can’t reach your dentist?

Neal P. – Connecticut

Neal,

Most dentists have a number on their voice mail for you to call in case of emergency. Or, they’ll have an answering service for the same purpose.  If your dentist has neither, then he likely doesn’t do emergency visits.  That doesn’t help when you’re in pain, but there is a solution.

There are emergency dentists that will see non-established patients in cases like yours. You can google emergency dentist and see what pops up.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix dentists Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

My dentist is ruining my date

I have a dental crown that has fallen off twice.  My dentist has always squeezed me in the same day.  Today it fell out again, but toward the end of the day on a Friday.  My dentist said he can’t see me until Monday. The crown is on a front tooth and I have a date with a guy I’ve been trying to go out with forever. I will be humiliated to go on a date with a stub front tooth. I explained that to him, but he said it’s not an emergency and he has plans.  Is there a way I can glue this on?

Samantha H. – Ohio

Samantha,

I have to say that I’m not impressed with your dentist.  He should absolutely see you today, but expecially because he can’t seem to bond your crown on properly.  It wouldn’t take him that long to do it poorly yet again. Though it technically isn’t a dental emergency, it wouldn’t kill him to have some compassion.

However, him not helping you is a blessing in disguise. He obviously doesn’t know what he’s doing. This is the perfect time for you get a new dentist. Don’t try to glue this on yourself. It would be very difficult for you to get it in at just the right angle. You could end up in pain or shifting your other teeth.

Call around to some dentists near by you, explaining your situation.  I’m wiling to bet there will be more than one willing to help you.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentists Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

Ignored loose tooth

I was at a neighborhood play area where there are a lot of tubes. One of the boys got accidentally kicked in the mouth. He was crying pretty stoutly and there was an impressive amount of blood. The mom went over there, looked him over, said “Yay! A loose tooth.”, brushed him off, and sent him back into the tubes.  Is that OK or will there be permanent problems with his teeth? Should she have taken him to the emergency room?

Emile P.- San Francisco

Emile,

It is always easy to look at a situation we’re not directly involved in and make judgments. It’s also easy for us to judge ourselves in hindsight.  However, answering your question will depend on how old the child was, or more specifically, what kind of tooth was affected.

If it was a young child, there is less of a chance it was a true dental emergency. Likely, it was just a baby tooth. The blood is not uncommon either. The mouth does bleed easily.  That was more likely blood from his mouth being cut by his tooth, than it was blood from the tooth area itself.

An older child could mean that an adult tooth was knocked loose. In that case they would need to be seen right away. The tooth will need to be stabalized so it doesn’t fall out.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

Bully knocked out my son’s tooth

A bully at school knocked out my son’s tooth. The school didn’t tell me until after school. My son said it happened at lunch. Is it too late to save his tooth? I can’t reach my dentist.

Brenda D. – California

Brenda,

Generally, a tooth has to be reimplanted within 30 minutes to have the best chance of saving the tooth. You can call an emergency dentist if you still can’t reach your dentist and explain what happened. They’ll see what they can do, but I wouldn’t hold out too much hope.

You didn’t mention how old your son was. Even if they cannot save your son’s tooth, you’ll have several options in tooth replacement, but it will depend on your son’s age and some other factors.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentists Dr. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

 

$700 aspirin- fed up

I was in a ton of pain and my dentist wouldn’t see me after hours. I went to the emergency room. They didn’t do anything with the tooth, gave me some aspirin, and charged me $700. I’m still in tremendous pain. What do I do?

Drew- Baltimore

Drew,

I’m sorry for your experience. There are few things worse than tooth pain. Generally, hospitals won’t treat dental problems.  Though, they could have at least given you something a little stronger than an aspirin…and you’re right, the cost was ridiculous.

Your dentist should have had some emergency protocol. Surely he could have recommended a colleague that he refers after hours cases to–at the least.

You’re going to need to see an emergency dentist. If your dentist isn’t willing to recommend one, you can do a google search to find one.

I’ll be honest. If your dentist isn’t willing to help in any fashion while you’re in so much pain, you’d be better served with a different denist.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Kevin Peck.

Dr. Peck- A Dentist Who Cares

Many patients say they care about their patients, but Dr. Peck goes the extra mile. He lives within a few miles of his practice, specifically in case his patients need him. He wanted to be there for his patients when they had a dental emergency.

If you’re a dental patient of Dr. Peck’s be assured he is there for you.  But, unlike some dentists Dr. Peck will be there for you even if you’re not a patient. If you’re in dental pain, call him.  He’ll see you the same day, whether or not you are a current patient.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Kevin Peck.