Prescott Dentist, Kevin Shuster's website

Dental Emergency

Establish a relationship with a dentist WHO WILL ANSWER HIS PHONE. Plan ahead and go for your exam and cleanings. Then you'll have a relationship you trust if a true emergency developes. If you have an emergency, don't delay, phone your dentist and set up an exam in person immediately! We leave time in our schedule every day for any emergency for any patient of record. For your own well being you must distinguish between neglect and emergency. 80 to 90% of dental troubles are easily prevented.

In the event of pain or urgent concern, call your dentist immediately and set up time for face to face exam and treatment. If you don't have a dentist, call us at 928-776-1993. Listen, the key to legitimate treatment of emergency is not usually pills, it is getting into treatment right away. Almost all dental emergencies can be predicably resolved, resulting in returning you to comfort and health. When you call us we should work together to get you treated right away. Narcotic pain relievers and antibiotics are overused and a poor substitute for definitive emergency treatment.

Before your exam appointment, keep up proper nutrition and sleep patterns (8 hrs +) as best you can. Unstable blood sugar, dehydration and exhaustion complicate diagnosis and compromise treatment outcomes. Avoid pain medications if you can prior to your diagnosis appointment, they can confuse the exam results.

Accurate first hand diagnosis is essential, call your dentist and ask for an emergency exam also called a "limited exam". When time allows it is smarter to ask for , a complete exam or comprehensive diagnosis. From a comprehensive exam a more organized treatment plan and treatment will result. Comprehensive treatment is better able to solve your problems and lower your risk of systemic health problems in the most effecient manner. The strategy of comprehensive diagnosis and treatment planning provides you with the most strenth comfort and affordability in your dental health.

To recap: Dentistry in America is now initiated with one of two procedures: the limited exam, a crises focused examination of one particular problem, or the full mouth exam which is preferable if your situation allows this. The emergency exam if for just emergencies and can get you out of a single problem faster. The comprehensive exam is more cost effective and provides better context for thorough evaluation of contributing factors and so more predictable outcomes of treatment. If you are not in immediate agony, opt for the full mouth exam.

As a new or alternate strategy consider prevention, that is… after this episode of emergency is handled commit to health by getting on a regular schedule of professional cleanings, and getting things fixed as budget allows. Most "emergencies" are more accurately categorized as neglect (the bad news) But are preventable (the good news). Commit to good health and realize that about 85% of disease is preventable. We can work together to help you get healthy, and STAY healthy. It's more sensible, more comfortable, and less expensive. Besides you'll simply look better, feel better, and last longer.... by taking advantage of modern dental prevention and treatment planning. Why? well because it's less expensive to pursue treatment based on a plan of treatment that results from a thourough exam and YOUR list of things you'd like to get done, in an order that you decide.

Be well, be proactive... you'll simply live better

and the DONT'S

Don't rely on pills, instead of getting treatment by a dentist… all drugs have side effects and few situations can be solved by taking a pill. Don't share prescriptions of any kind, it's dangerous and illegal. Don't place aspirin tablet on the gums or teeth directly, it has no beneficial effect… and likely will cause chemical burns to the gums. Similarly don't rely on mouth rinses, or numbing agents.

In short: don't delay the in person exam appointment when you FIRST notice something that concerns you… the exam is not usually expensive and delay can truly be costly to your health and finances.

If you need help, feel free to call us at 928-776-1993

If you suspect you have a dental medical emergency and cannot reach your dentist call Yavapai Regional Medical Center emergency room dial 911