Common Oral Health Problems and How an Emergency Dentist Can Help

As a local emergency dentist, we treat patients with all types of oral health problems.  Many people think that as long as they keep their teeth healthy, they will never have an emergency.  This, unfortunately, isn’t the case because teeth are subject to all types of damage just like the rest of your body is.  The majority of adult tooth damage happens while playing sports so even if you are trying to be healthy, you could still injure your teeth.

There are several reasons why people need to see a dentist quickly.  If any of these happen to you, we recommend keeping your mouth clean by rinsing with warm water and avoiding eating or drinking anything other than water. We also advice staying away from blood thinners or aspirin since it can make it harder for your blood to clot. If you are in pain, apply a cold compress or ice to help stop the pain and reduce the swelling. Next, call our office so that you can be treated right away.

Here are common reasons people need to see an emergency dentist:

• Broken tooth.  If your tooth gets cracked or chipped while playing sports, at work, riding a bike, playing with the kids, etc., you will need to get it restored quickly.  A damaged tooth can become infected and painful.  By having it restored right away, you can prevent these complications. 
• Lost tooth.  If your tooth gets knocked out, we can either help to save it or provide options for replacing it.  If you can find the tooth rinse it off and put it into a glass of milk then come see us. When possible, we will save your natural tooth but time is of the essence.
• Swelling in your face.  If you notice that your face or jaw starts to swell up, it could be due to an infection called a dental abscess.  An abscess is a severe infection and needs to be drained immediately before the infection can be reduced.  If you allow it to spread, the infection will only grow and become more painful, so you need care immediately. 
• Massive bleeding.  If you mouth starts to bleed and won’t stop, you need to come see us right away so that we can identify the source of the bleeding and provide the treatment necessary to stop it. 
• Swollen gums.  If your gums are hurting, swelling, and bleeding you may have gum disease.  This can be treated by removing the bacteria from underneath your gums.  If you schedule an appointment right away, the damage can be reversed before pockets are created in the gum tissue.  If you ignore the condition, you will likely need a gum graft later on. 

As an emergency dentist, we provide dental care when you need it so don’t worry about calling after hours or on the weekend.  If we don’t pick up, leave a message, and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.  Our goal is to treat you right away so that you can start to feel well again. 

Visit our Family Dentist Office to Have Your Sensitive Teeth Treated

If your teeth are in pain, schedule an appointment with our dentist office.  We will examine your teeth and determine what is causing the pain in the first place.  Many people suffer from tooth sensitivity.  This can be due to a cavity, gum disease, and a lack of enamel.  In order to treat it properly, we need to know why your teeth are sensitive.  We recommend having a dental exam and teeth cleaning twice a year which can prevent a lot of these issues, but regardless of when you had your last appointment, call us if you are in pain.

One of the things we will look for is whether or not the enamel on your teeth has worn away.  As people age, it is common for teeth to go through a process called demineralization.  This is when the enamel starts to wear off, and the dentin underneath is exposed.  The challenge with dentin being exposed is that it is full of tiny holes that lead directly to the roots of the tooth.  This means that when you eat or drink anything, sensations are sent through the dentin and to the roots.  This is what can lead to a sudden painful sensation.  You can help to reduce the pain at home by brushing with desensitizing toothpaste and a soft toothbrush.

If your enamel is strong, then the pain is likely caused by either a cavity or gum disease. A cavity can be diagnosed and treated easily.  Once the cavity is removed, and a filling is placed, your tooth should stop hurting.  If the infection is in the center of your tooth, a root canal will likely be necessary in order to remove the infection.  Afterwards, we typically place a crown around the tooth in order to protect it.  This will prevent anything from touching the tooth directly since a crown is essentially a cap that surrounds the tooth. As a family dentist, we have multiple ways to treat a cavity that are painless and can help you to feel better right away.

When there are no cavities and your enamel is strong, the pain in your mouth is likely due to gum disease. As bacteria gathers around your gums, it can get between the gum tissue and your tooth.  This can make your gums swell, bleed, and be in pain.  This creates an overall sensitivity in your mouth and as the disease grows, it can be painful. Our goal is to catch gum disease quickly before it can spread and create issues with your teeth.  In its early stages, we can treat gingivitis by performing a deep cleaning and removing the bacteria from under the gum tissue.  This will give your gums the natural ability to heal themselves and the symptoms will go away.

If gum disease is allowed to spread, it will make your gums recede.  This can be painful, and as the roots and tooth structure are exposed, your teeth can start to hurt.  In this scenario, a gum graft is typically necessary for protecting the teeth and restoring gum health.

To find out what is causing your sensitive teeth, call and schedule an appointment with our family dentist office today.