Emergency Care in San Tan Valley, AZ

Prompt treatment for dental pain, swelling, broken teeth and knocked-out teeth, with methods to relieve pain and keep you calm.

Services→General Dentistry→Emergency Care in San Tan Valley, AZ

Dental emergencies do not wait for a convenient moment. If you are in pain, have swelling, or have damaged a tooth, call us — the sooner we see you, the more options there usually are.

Emergency Care at Flossed Family Dentistry in San Tan Valley, AZ

About Emergency Dental Care

Our highly trained doctors and staff are ready to manage all of your concerns. We have methods to alleviate the pain and help you feel calm during your emergency dental visit. If you are facing a dental emergency, please don't hesitate to contact us immediately at (480) 581-7681!

  • Call as soon as something happens — timing matters
  • Pain relief is the first priority
  • Sedation available for patients in distress
  • Guidance over the phone on what to do before you arrive
  • Knocked-out teeth can sometimes be saved if you act fast

What Counts as a Dental Emergency

Severe or persistent toothache, particularly with swelling, needs attention promptly — that combination usually means infection, and infection in the jaw does not stay put. A knocked-out permanent tooth is the most time-sensitive situation in dentistry. Handle the tooth by the crown rather than the root, keep it moist in milk or your own saliva, and call immediately. The window in which it can be re-implanted is measured in hours. Also worth calling about: a cracked or broken tooth, a lost crown or filling leaving a sharp edge or sensitivity, bleeding that will not stop, or an injury to the lips, cheeks or tongue. If you are unsure whether something qualifies, call and describe it — we would rather tell you it can wait than have you sit at home in pain.

What to Do Before You Arrive

Call first, so we know what is coming and can advise you for the interval. Rinse gently with warm salt water for most injuries, and use a cold compress on the outside of the face for swelling. For a knocked-out tooth, pick it up by the crown, rinse it briefly without scrubbing, and either place it back in the socket if you can or keep it in milk. Do not let it dry out. For a broken tooth, keep any fragments and bring them with you. Over-the-counter pain relief is fine in the meantime; do not place aspirin directly against the gum, which burns the tissue. When you arrive, relieving pain and controlling infection come first — longer-term repair is planned once you are comfortable. If distress or anxiety is making things worse, tell us, because sedation is available.

Common Questions

What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?
Handle it by the crown, not the root. Rinse it gently without scrubbing, then either place it back in the socket or keep it in milk or saliva. Do not let it dry out, and call us immediately — time is the deciding factor in whether it can be saved.
Should I go to the emergency room or the dentist?
For most dental problems, a dentist is better equipped. Go to an emergency room for facial trauma, a suspected broken jaw, uncontrolled bleeding, or swelling affecting your breathing or swallowing. If we are closed and you cannot wait, go to your nearest emergency center.
My tooth stopped hurting on its own. Am I fine now?
Not necessarily. Pain that disappears suddenly can mean the nerve inside the tooth has died, and the underlying infection is still there and still spreading. It is worth having it checked even if the pain has passed.
Can you help if I am in pain but terrified of the dentist?
Yes, and it is a common combination. Tell us when you call. Sedation options are available and Dr. Gifford has particular experience with highly anxious patients. Being in pain and being afraid at the same time is exactly the situation we want to help with.
What if my crown or filling falls out?
Keep the piece if you have it, and avoid chewing on that side. It is usually not an after-hours emergency unless there is significant pain, but call during business hours — an exposed tooth is vulnerable to decay and fracture.

Terms You May Hear

Avulsed Tooth
A tooth that has been completely knocked out of its socket. Prompt action gives the best chance of saving it.
Dental Abscess
A localised collection of pus caused by bacterial infection, usually accompanied by significant pain and swelling.
Palliative Treatment
Care aimed at relieving pain and controlling infection immediately, with definitive repair planned afterward.

Ready to Schedule Your Appointment?

Dental emergency? Call (480) 581-7681 right away. If we are closed, go to your nearest emergency center.