When to Call an Emergency Dentist

If you are experiencing oral pain, an emergency dentist visit may be in order. There are certain types of pain that you should be on the watch for as they may signify a larger oral health issue. If your teeth have gone from being mildly sensitive to painful, making it difficult to eat, schedule an appointment right away. Simultaneously if your dental pain is accompanied by a fever or other flu-like symptoms, you should be seen immediately.

Cavities start out small and may cause minor discomfort. Eating something hard like party nuts or hard candy may cause temporary pain as the object touches the tooth and the cavity. Simultaneously, extreme temperatures may cause discomfort. If this is the case, schedule your routine dental exam to have your teeth inspected, and if a cavity is found, the dentist will treat it.

Unfortunately, many people don't schedule a dental exam at the first sign of discomfort, choosing instead to ignore the problem. This is dangerous because when a cavity is left untreated, the infection can spread into the gums and even into the jawbone. When this happens, the infection can turn into a dental abscess which is incredibly painful and lead to an emergency dentist appointment. In order to treat the infection, a dental professional has to drain the abscess and let the infected puss leak out, then the infection has to be removed, and the area treated. If the infection has spread to the lower part of the mouth or neck, this must be done surgically. It is much better to simply schedule an appointment at the first sign of oral discomfort.

An emergency dentist may also be needed if you injure your tooth in an accident. With millions of car wrecks, slip and fall accidents, workplace injuries, and sports injuries happening on an annual basis, it isn't a matter of if your tooth will become injured during your lifetime, but when. By visiting the dentist immediately, we can work to save your damaged tooth. This is an important, preventative measure, as saving your tooth is ultimately better for your health than having to pull it out. We can do this by using a variety of dental procedures including dental veneers and dental crowns. The key is to be seen as quickly as possible.

Traditionally, dentists keep limited hours which make it difficult for patients to get the help they need in the evenings and weekends. This leads many people to go to the emergency room where the doctors are not equipped with the training or tools to treat a damaged tooth. As an emergency dentist, we make it easy for our patients to receive the care that they need. If your tooth is injured outside of our normal business hours, call the office and leave a message. We will return your call as quickly as possible and schedule an appointment for a dental exam and treatment. We take the health of our patients very seriously and will do whatever we can to take care of your situation quickly.

Dentist  >  Dentures

Our Dentist Treats Patients with a Dental Abscess

As a local dentist, we treat patients and help them to stay in good oral health. We focus on preventative care that can keep a patient healthy in between visits to our office. This includes educating people on steps they can take at home, including flossing daily, brushing after meals, not using tobacco products, and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash.  During teeth cleanings, we remove bacteria and plaque that the at home routine wasn't able to get to.

Unfortunately, many people don't have a regular dental exam and are at risk for cavities, gum disease, or getting a dental abscess. When cavities and gum disease are treated quickly, we are able to remove the infection and save the tooth or teeth. Left untreated, the infection can spread throughout the tooth, into the gums, and eventually into the jaw and face bones.  When this happens it is called an abscess.

A dental abscess can be extremely painful. It is much more severe than an infected tooth or cavity. It can cause your face and jaw to become red and swell. Pain will often shoot through your tooth, gums, and into your jaw. Additionally, the entire area will be tender to the touch and many patients feel like they have the flu on top of these symptoms. This can be a truly miserable experience. If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to schedule a dentist appointment immediately so that we can diagnose and treat the problem.

During the dental exam, we will identify the cause of the infection, clean the area around it, and remove whatever infection that we can. This is often done by cutting open the abscess and draining it of infected puss.  If the abscess has spread into the floor of the mouth or the neck, this may need to be done surgically. Patients that do not have an abscessed professionally drained are likely to have it burst on its own, which is not recommended. By draining the infection, the area can begin to heal.  We often prescribe antibiotics to help support the healing process.

Since an abscess is extremely uncomfortable, we recommend avoiding the infection in the first place. Many people don't give their teeth and gums the same level of attention that they give the rest of their body. There are certain things that people do to avoid being sick.  For example, if it is ten degrees outside, people wear a warm jacket and a hat.  It is important to apply the same common sense to maintaining healthy teeth and gums.Taking simple steps can help you to stay healthy. A regular, twice a day routine is an important part of avoiding problems with teeth and gums before they turn into bigger problems like dental abscesses. The same holds true for skipping dentist appointments. People that visit our office twice a year have a decreased risk of all oral health issues, including a dental abscess. People that have a dental exam every few years, significantly increase their risk and the likelihood of experiencing dental pain. Take preventative measures to avoid oral health issues by scheduling your dental exam today.

Dentures  >  Periodontics