Tag Archives: toothache

What To Do During A Dental Emergency

shutterstock_165405326Dental emergencies can be frightening and painful. They also seem to happen when it is least convenient like during the Holidays. Often people are unsure of what to do during an emergency so we have put together some guidelines to help get you through.

What constitutes a dental emergency?
-Bleeding That Will Not Stop
-A Loose or Knocked Out Permanent Tooth
-Injured Jaw
-Painful Swelling
-Painful Toothache

Who should you contact?
Always remember to contact your dentist right away if you experience a dental emergency. In the case, your dentist’s office is closed and you are experiencing unbearable pain or bleeding that will not stop, it is best that you go straight to the emergency room.

What can you do at home during a dental emergency?
-Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of hot water and rinse out your mouth to relieve irritation and swelling.
-If the tooth has been knocked out, put it in a glass of milk until you can see your dentist.
-Floss around the tooth if you are experiencing pain in one specific area. It could be possible something has gotten stuck between your teeth.
-Use a cold compress. This will help reduce swelling and numb irritation.

How to prevent dental emergencies?
-Brush and floss daily
-Avoid foods that are tough or very chewy
-Visit your dentist regularly

Dental emergencies are never fun, but knowing how to handle them can help relieve pain, stress and possibly save a tooth! Again, if you experience a dental emergency please reach out to us right away so that we can help.

Tips For A Healthy Smile This Halloween

dd608ba0b540fc42810fcc4e210ebe35Halloween is almost here and although it is a favorite holiday for most children, it can be a time when our teeth need extra attention.  Here are some tips on how to keep your teeth healthy during this candy-coated holiday.  

Avoid Certain Candies

Certain candies can stay in your mouth for long periods of time and this can increase the risk for tooth decay.  Avoid sticky candies that can stay stuck on your teeth for long periods of time.  

Hydrate!  

Drinking water with fluoride can help prevent tooth decay.  

Avoid Sugary Beverages

When teeth become in contact with sugary beverages such as soda and sports drinks, the risk of tooth decay increases.  Try to avoid these.  

Brush and Floss Daily

Brush twice a day and floss at least once a day.  Sugary candy can get stuck between the teeth so it is important that you take care of your teeth regularly.  

Limit The Amount of Treats

Don’t allow your children to have unlimited amounts of candy.  Limit the amount that they consume daily and this can help limit the contact of sugar with the teeth.  

Halloween can be a child’s dream, but can be a parents’ nightmare.  Instead of depriving them of Halloween treats, use this time as an opportunity to teach your kids about good oral habits.

When To Be Concerned About A Toothache

relieve-toothache-1Toothaches can be very painful and are not uncommon. Symptoms can include sharp or dull pain in and around the tooth, bleeding from the gums, a facial rash, jaw pain, trouble chewing, and possibly even chest pain. Many people wonder if a toothache is something to be concerned about and what actions to take.

 

You should be concerned about a toothache when
-The toothache has lasted longer than 1-2 days
-The toothache is causing severe pain
-You are experiencing a fever or chills
-You have an earache, or pain when you open your mouth

Many things can cause a toothache. What might be causing the pain?
-Gum Disease- Gingivitis is a cause of not practicing good oral hygiene. The gums can become swollen and begin to bleed causing pain around the tooth. Make sure to brush and floss regularly to avoid this issue.
-Abscessed Tooth- When a tooth is left untreated it can become infected and begin to swell causing severe pain. This is a serious problem that should be discussed with your dentist immediately.
-Tooth Decay- A cavity or tooth decay can begin to cause pain in the tooth if left untreated. Left untreated this begins to cause pain in the tooth so make sure you schedule an appointment for a filling.
-Cracked Tooth- This is obvious, but having a cracked tooth can become very painful. Discuss with your dentist on options such as a root canal, on ways to fix cracked teeth.
-Allergy or Sinus Issues – When sick, your mucus lining can swell. This causes blockage in your nasal passages, which clogs your maxillary sinuses located in your cheekbones. When these get clogged, it traps bacteria in your mouth and can cause a toothache.
-Wisdom Teeth- If you are wondering if this might be the cause of your toothache, the best thing to do is schedule an appointment with your dentist to confirm this is correct and what options are available.

What to do When You Have a Toothache
-Take a Painkiller
-Apply a Cold Compress
-Apply Numbing Gel
-Go to the Dentist
-Keep Your Teeth Clean

If you are currently experiencing tooth pain, contact us immediately. We will help assess the situation and determine what is causing the pain and what actions are needed to fix the problem.