When to Seek Emergency Dentistry
Rarely do most people truly enjoy going to the dentist. This is especially true when a situation or accident requires emergency dentistry. While in the past many patients were forced wait to see their dentists during normal business hours, recently more and more dentists are providing emergency dental care to patients for those unable to wait. With emergency dentistry services still relatively new, it is often confusing for patients to know when to seek emergency dentistry. This decision can be further complicated when one considers that in some cases delaying emergency dental care can increase the risk of permanent damage, resulting in more expensive and complicated treatment. Although it is strongly suggested that patients consult their dentists immediately if they believe they have a dental emergency, below are a few helpful guidelines.
Broken Tooth : Broken teeth are often a result of trauma, such as biting down on something hard or being hit in the face. However they can also be a result of extensive tooth decay and cavities. In the event of a broken tooth you should see a dentist immediately. Although a broken tooth may not always cause pain, there can be unseen damage to the tooth’s root, which can lead to intense pain and tooth loss if emergency dental care is not received promptly.
Severe Tooth Pain : There are a number of dental problems that can cause a toothache. Severe pain in and around a tooth can indicate inflammation and a possible infection. Toothaches do not heal themselves and will often grow worse if left untreated. In cases where you are experiencing only minor tooth pain, you can minimize severe tooth pain by rinsing your mouth with warm water, applying an over-the-counter antiseptic or taking an anti-inflammatory pain reliever. If your pain is more severe, however, you should seek emergency dentistry right away.
Swelling : An infected tooth with an abscess is the primary cause of facial swelling. An abscess is caused by a bacterial infection and requires prompt emergency dental care. Leaving an abscess untreated can cause serious complications and may even be life threatening. If you experience any of the common symptoms of a tooth abscess, including a fever, facial swelling, throbbing tooth pain or tender lymph nodes under your jaw, seek emergency dental care immediately.
Other Dental Emergencies : A dental emergency is essentially any dental problem that needs immediate treatment to stop ongoing bleeding, save a tooth or alleviate severe pain.
A few examples include:
• Broken jaw
• Lost filling
• Lost dental crown
• Loose tooth
If you are unsure if you require emergency dentistry, do not hesitate to call your dentist immediately. Your dentist will be able to ask you specific questions to determine if you are in need of emergency dental care. They can also provide you with useful advice to help minimize your pain while preventing the risk of further permanent damage until you are able to receive dental care.
Author Bio: The team at Rocky Mountain Dental Partners believes a great smile is priceless and everyone deserves the look and feel that great smile can bring. With locations in Aurora, Centennial, and Cherry Creek Rocky Mountain Dental Partners are available to answer your questions about their emergency dentistry services and help you achieve the smile you always wanted.
Whiten Your Teeth At Home With These Helpful Treatments
Does your smile look less pearly white and more yellow and dull? Maybe you have not been taking proper care of your teeth lately. There are a lot of factors that lead to lackluster and stained dentition. Smoking, highly-pigmented food and beverages and the lack of sufficient oral care can contribute to unappealing teeth.
However, while bleaching effectively whitens teeth, people should consider other options, especially if you are someone who has thinning enamel, as some professional whitening systems can further deteriorate the outer layer of the tooth. Thus, one would be more prone to cavity formation, tooth breakdown and sensitivity.
There are various at home treatments that can be performed to lighten your enamel by a few shades. Furthermore, the ingredients can be purchased at your nearest drug and grocery store. Here are some teeth whitening remedies that you can try at home.
Munch On Strawberries
This sweet and tart treat can help whiten teeth as it contains high doses of vitamin C to combat plaque formation and malic acid. Malic acid has natural astringent properties and is used in many tooth whitening products because it aids in the removal of surface stains.
However, while some sites recommend that you mash the strawberries and use a brush to apply them to whiten teeth, it would be best to remember that the tiny pits may be too rough on the gums, and they could irritate sensitive teeth. It would be better to Cut the berry in half and rub the smooth side on the tooth surfaces. Leave it on for one minute and rinse thoroughly with water.
Consume Foods That Increase Saliva Production
Apples, carrots and celery are chock-full of vitamin C. The anti-inflammatory properties of these foods can kill bacteria that cause bad odor and prevent gum problems as well. These foods also increase saliva production. This is our body’s built-in defense system as the lubrication loosens plaque. When this sticky yellow paste is removed, you are less likely to develop stains and cavities.
Lemon And Baking Soda
If you are looking for the most effective and safest way to remove extrinsic stains at home, baking soda is your best bet. Baking soda is a mildly abrasive agent that gently removes stains from the outer layer of the tooth. You can use it alone or mix it with lemon juice, which has astringent properties. The baking soda neutralizes acid to keep the tooth structure safe. However, people with sensitive gums and thin enamel should avoid this treatment as it may irritate their oral cavity. Others should limit the use of this brushing mixture to twice per month at most. Remember to leave it no longer than one minute.
Hydrogen Peroxide Mouth Rinse
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent that is use in professional teeth whitening products. In fact, the FDA has approved the use of the 3% hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse. Mix with an equal amount of water and swish it in your mouth for 30 seconds. It degrades dental stains to whiten teeth and has antibacterial properties as well. However, it is important to rinse thoroughly after with copious amounts of water, as swallowing hydrogen peroxide is dangerous.
Oil Pulling
This ancient Ayurvedic practice results in whiter teeth and improved general health. This is an old detoxification process that makes use of natural oils like sunflower, coconut, sesame and olive oil. By swishing the mixture in your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes daily after brushing your teeth, you will develop whiter teeth and feel more invigorated. It will also cleanse the body of any heavy and whiten teeth as well.
Teeth whitening does not need to be expensive. Follow any of the diverse treatments mentioned for healthy gums and whiter teeth. However, each one has to remember that these treatments should only be used in conjunction with professional dental care.
Written by Frank Versteeg, a writer for Sonrisa Family Dental.
How To Take Care of Your Baby’s Teeth
One of the most happiest moments of one’s life is to watch your little baby growing. The developmental milestones in your baby’s life where for the first time baby learn to crawl, learn to stand, learn to walk and talk, all these are magical. Coming to teeth part, all parents are very much curious to know when their baby will cut his or her first tooth.
Most babies cut their first white caps at around six months, this time may vary anything between 3 to 10 month of age. Your baby’s first tooth will almost definitely be one of the lower front pair and last milk teeth are second molars which usually in place by around 2 to 2 and half years of age. So, in first couple of years your baby’s gummy smile will be replaced by full set of 20 tiny baby teeth.
Baby teeth may be tiny but they are very important because they act as a space maintainers for adult teeth. That’s why it is very important to care them and keeping them free from decay as well.
Caring baby’s teeth and gums :
Caring for your baby’s gums should starts right away from birth.
You should wipe down your baby’s gums atleast twice a day especially after feeding and before going to bed. This should be done gently with the help of soft, moistened piece of guaze or wipecloth. This will help to wash off bacterias clinging on gum pads which may leave sticky plaque causing damage to gums and teeth.
Teething: some babies may struggle and experience discomfort while teething. Some symptoms your baby may exhibit while teething are
- Drooling of saliva
- Gum swelling and sensitivity
- Biting behavior
- Irritability or fussiness
- Refusing food
- Sleep problem
Teething may be accompanied by ‘slight’ fever but many times parents ignore fever assuming it is due to teething which can prove dangerous. Teething can’t cause fever, diarrhea, vomiting, convulsion or fits at this age or later. If your baby showing these symptoms don’t chalk it up to teething, consult your physician immediately.
Brushing your baby’s teeth :
When the first baby teeth start to erupt, you can start using toothbrush to brush your baby’s teeth. Toothbrush should be with small head and large handle. Initially, just wet toothbrush for brushing, then at around 1 year of age you can start using a pea-sized amount of non-flouridated toothpaste. You should wait until your child is atleast 2 years of age to introduce flouride containning paste.
You should brush your baby’s teeth until he or she is old enough to hold toothbrush. Brush gently all around your child’s teeth – front and back. Usually at around 6 years of age your child will learn to hold brush properly and also learn how to rinse and spit, so until this period supervise this process by yours off.
Lookout for any signs of tooth decay or gum problem . Even if there isn’t a problem, your should take your child to his or her first dental visit by the age of 1. Dentist will provide all necessary information of baby teeth care, teething, fluoride and thumb sucking.
Important things you should know about your baby’s teeth :-
- Babies first teeth are biting-off teeth and not chewing teeth.
- Babies start chewing with their gums long before they acquire teeth. He or she will start teaching himself to chew soon after getting their hands on toys that they hold into mouth.
- Chewing on hard food is good for baby’s developing jaw, so make sure to feed pieces of apples or scrubbed raw carrot to chew well before six months or baby may become so used to semi liquid food that when he does have chewing teeth at around a year, he or she won’t use them because of gagging due to solid food.
- Feeding themselves with their own hands helps them to feel exciting and independent about eating, just give close inspection while doing that.
