Are You Prepared for a Dental Emergency?

Are you prepared for a dental emergency? This may seem like a silly question but it happens to hundreds of people each day. Unfortunately, most of these people are not prepared for this type of an emergency.

One of the main things that you need to know about a dental emergency is that you need to contact your dentist as soon as possible. Therefore, the first thing that you should do is to have all of his contact information on your phone. This will allow you to make an appointment.

Most people do not realize that the majority of dentists set aside a bit of time each day for emergencies. Therefore, never assume that your dentist will be too busy to see if you have a dental emergency. A dental emergency takes priority in most dental offices.

When you have a dental emergency there are things that you can do while you wait for your appointment. Obviously, if you are in pain you will need to take some type of pain medication. It should be noted that you can probably save your tooth if you see the dentist within the first two hours.

If you have a tooth that has been knocked out of your mouth you will need to visit your dentist immediately. Make sure that you pick up the tooth by the crown and do not touch any part of an exposed root. Take the tooth and gently wash it in lukewarm water. Do not try to scrub the tooth clean or remove any of the attached tissue.

If you are doing this in a sink make sure that you have the drain cover in place so as to not accidentally wash your tooth down the drain. Then take your choose with you to your dental appointment.

Emergency Dental Care Services: On Your Schedule, Not Ours!

They’re not called emergencies because they’re easy to plan for and there’s a lot of advanced notice. Dental emergencies can be especially troubling. There’s pain, there can be root and tooth damage, and there’s a race against the clock to minimize the damage.

So what are you supposed to do when the local dental offices are are closed or booked up for weeks to come? We understand that dental emergencies are just that: emergencies. You can’t wait several weeks for an appointment to open up, and you’re not going to ignore the pain.

Dental emergencies are emergencies, and we understand with sympathy and compassion. No one likes having a damaged tooth or a sudden injury that causes root damage, severe pain, or any combination of these things. That’s why we believe in getting you in as quickly as possible when an emergency does occur.

Call our Rochester dental office and let us know about the situation. While we can’t know for sure what needs to be done until the in-office examination and possible x-rays, giving us an idea of how the injury took place can help us more quickly figure out the likely actions we need to take to help you out.

You want pain relief, you want any dental damage contained, and if we can save the tooth we want to do that, too. Emergency dental care never comes at a convenient time, but we’re here to try and meet as many of your needs as possible!

Never put off needed dental care. A small problem can become a huge one, and while the pain might go away for a little bit, the issue will never get better without proper dental attention. Let our caring and experienced professionals take care of any emergency issues you have and help restore that smile to its full toothy beauty!

The Consequences Of DIY Denture Repairs

There is a myth running around that people can effectively fix their own dentures with the same quality as a dentist would. This myth is being supported by several DIY dental packages that claim dental care can be done in the comfort of your own home.

My response to this would be to consider the facts carefully before attempting any repairs yourself. It’s understandable that people are looking for quick and cost-effective solutions, but the consequences will only cause more damage.

First and foremost, look at the time it takes for dentures to be made. The whole procedure from making the mold, sending it to a laboratory to be made and getting it to fit perfectly takes several days. The reason for this delay is because we aren’t willing to take any chances when it comes to oral health. Several issues can surface when dentures don’t fit perfectly.

Apart from the damage that can be caused to your oral cavity, it can lead to a lot of discomfort, pain while chewing, irritation to the mouth tissue and even bone loss. Using adhesive to quickly repair your dentures will most likely do more harm than anything else.

These issues speak to any denture repairs. Even though it might look the same after you’ve applied the glue, the slightest difference results in massive pain, which can also cause other health problems.

One of the most important elements of repairing dentures is understanding why they broke in the first place. Without clearly discovering the source of the problem it can’t be fixed properly. In many cases we are forced to send the dentures back to the laboratory for long-term repairs and this isn’t done to waste time or money. We do it because your mouth is a very sensitive area and we simply cannot allow anything less than perfect to be placed inside.

Even the replacement of a single tooth needs experience from a professional, because if the tooth is not in the correct position it will affect the way your teeth come together in addition to influencing your dentures as a whole. There are times when dentures cannot be fixed and need to be replaced.

With this in mind I urge you to always consult a dentist when it comes to repairing your dentures. The amount of damage and pain that will be caused by doing it yourself is simply not worth the time you’ll save. This isn’t just an issue about getting the best treatment, but also about taking care of yourself properly.

If you need denture repair in the Rochester, NY area contact the dentists at emergencydentistrochesny.com to schedule an appointment.

Why It Is Important To Have Loose Fillings Treated Right Away

If you are like many people in the Rochester, NY area, you probably have at least one or two fillings in your teeth. What you may not realize is that fillings do not last forever. Over time, they can come loose and fall out. If this happens to you, it is important that you call our dental office right away for an appointment.

A loose filling needs to be treated immediately to avoid a painful dental emergency from occurring.

The most common issue that can be caused by a filling that has come loose is infection. When a filling falls out, this exposes the interior of the tooth to the air. The bacteria in your mouth can easily get inside the tooth and infect the pulp. Once this happens, the only thing you can do is have a root canal procedure performed.

An infected tooth that is not treated right away can cause many serious health problems. An infection in a tooth is like an infection anywhere in the body. If it is not contained and eliminated, the infection can spread to other parts of your body. Without the proper treatment, this infection which started in your mouth can cause many health problems or even prove to be fatal.

As soon as you notice that a filling has come loose, call us and make an appointment. Even if you are not experiencing any pain or discomfort in that area, you still need to get treatment right away. If a damaged tooth does not hurt, this is not actually a good sign. Instead, it can indicate that the nerve of the tooth has died.

Fortunately, if you get treatment quickly enough, you can avoid these problems. Replacing a filling is a simple procedure that we can perform in less than an hour. We will clean the affected area to make sure that there is no infection or contamination. Then, we will simply place a new filling in the hole left by the old one.

Do not wait until a filling actually falls out to give us a call. As soon as you notice that one of your fillings seems to be loose, let us know. It is better to take preemptive action than to wait for a problem to develop.

With our help, you can make sure that your teeth are as strong and healthy as possible. Loose fillings are a fact of life, and with prompt treatment, they will not cause you any problems.

Don’t Delay Fixing a Broken Tooth

Some believe that a broken tooth can wait, but that simply is not the case. There are a number of reasons that you should seek the help of one of your emergency dentists immediately. Below are the main reasons that you can not put off fixing that broken tooth.

If you broke your tooth to any degree that means that you now have a hole in your tooth. This allows liquids and debris to enter into a space that is usually protected. Not having this remedied immediately can lead to unnecessary cavities and tooth decay in a very short amount of time. However, if you seek our help right away these issues can be prevented.

Additionally, by have a hole in your tooth you are inevitably going to experience a great deal of pain, whether it be right away, or in the future. This is because the roots are now exposed to elements they have never experienced before, such as hot or cold liquids and air. If you come in and have your tooth repaired right away you will avoid a great deal of unnecessary discomfort.

Finally, there is nothing appealing about having a tooth that has a chunk of it missing. As you will likely agree, it can be quite embarrassing to smile when your tooth is in that state. The bonus is that we can take care of your dental needs when the emergency occurs so that you do not have to be concerned about your smile for long.

Now that you read the information above you know just how important it is to seek emergency dental services if you were to break your tooth. There is no reason to put the integrity of your tooth at risk or deal with any unnecessary pain or embarrassment.

3 Tips To Keep In Mind In Case Of A Dental Emergency

Every dental emergency should be treated with care as it could be the beginning of many other gum and teeth problems. Anything from toothaches, a broken or chipped tooth or a knocked-out tooth needs proper handling, or else infections could occur.

Discussed below are a few tips on how to handle different dental emergencies.

An Aching Tooth
Almost everyone has experienced the excruciating pain from a toothache. Although taking a painkiller may help reduce the pain, it would be advisable to care for the aching tooth. The best way to do this, is by flossing and rising your mouth with warm water. This helps dislodge any food materials that may be causing the toothache. Applying an ice pack on your face can also help take any swelling away.

A Broken/Chipped Tooth
Teeth may chip or break if one bites something hard, such as a rock or sand particles in food. This mostly results in swelling and bleeding, and proper care should be taken for fast relief. Before doing anything, be sure to collect any chipped of pieces, rinse and keep them in a safe place. Rinse your mouth with warm salty water to help prevent further bleeding and infections. If you want to have the chipped tooth restored, take the broken pieces with you to a dentist, and he/she will find a way to bind them back in place.

Knocked-out Tooth
Although a rare thing, adults do get their teeth knocked out by accident or falling. If your tooth has been knocked out, pick it up immediately and rinse it with pure water. You however need to be careful not to wash away tissue fragments that may be attached to the tooth. Next, try to put it back in its socket. This may cause a little pain but it will save your tooth. If this does not work, place the tooth in salty water, or milk, then find a dentist in Rochester to restore it.

These are just but a few tips on how to deal with dental emergencies. Making a dentist your friend can also help you learn a lot more about dental health and how to care for the same.

Here Is What You Can Do For Bleeding Gums

Do you have bleeding gums? If you do, then there are a few things you can do right now to prevent a serious dental emergency…

1. Contact A Dentist
The very first thing you should do is contact us. Contacting a dentist is important because bleeding gums can be a sign gingivitis. We can take a look at your gums and rule out gingivitis, which is a type of periodontal disease, or take the next step if you do have gingivitis.

2. Brush Your Teeth
Another thing you can do right now is brush your teeth, and continue to brush your teeth on a regular basis. Sometimes plaque and tartar can build up when you don’t brush properly. We recommend brushing your teeth after every meal, or at least 2-3 times per day. It is important to brush your teeth properly and on a regular basis to avoid the build up of plaque, dental decay, cavities, infections, and bone loss it can cause.

3. Rinse Your Mouth With Warm Water
If your gums are only bleeding a little bit, then we recommend rinsing your mouth with a little bit of warm water. Sometimes when your gums bleed, it might not be anything serious, so you might be able to stop the bleeding by rinsing with water. However, you should still contact a dentist, because if it is gum disease, then you will want to have a professional take a look at your gums and then provide treatment to you.

The worse thing you can do is ignore the problem. If your gums bleed, then you need to take care of the problem as soon as possible. This is especially true if your gums bleed on a regular basis or even just a few times per week. The last thing you want to do is to not take care of your bleeding gums, as it might lead to bigger problems as we’ve discussed above, such as periodontal disease which is a very serious condition that can cause deterioration to your smile and lead to a life of dentures, crowns, bridges, and even dental implants.

So, if you have bleeding gums give our Rochester, NY office a call immediately to schedule a dental examination.

4 Warning Signs You Need To Get A Tooth Pulled

toothextractionAt our Rochester dental office we understand that even if you take extreme care of your teeth, and go out of your way to perform proper dental hygiene, accidents will happen.

If you find yourself with a damaged tooth due to accident, you always want to make sure the see a dentist as soon as possible.

You would be amazed at the level of damage we are capable of repairing, but if you need an oral surgeon to remove the tooth it is important that you still get that done as soon as possible, as well.

However, the need to get a tooth pulled isn’t always because of a sudden accident. Here are four common warning signs that you might need a tooth extraction that you should never ignore.

Swollen Gums
The first warning sign is if you have extremely puffy gums around a severe toothache. This can be a lot of things, but it could also be a sign of an abscess tooth and if the damage infection is bad enough you may need to get it removed.

A Severe Toothache
A second warning sign is pain that just won’t go away. Applying ice to the outside of your mouth might help the swelling, and ibuprofen might take the edge off the pain, for a while. However, if you have sharp tooth pain that seems to come from inside the tooth or even throbs then you need to come in and possible get an extraction.

Delayed Dental Work
If you have needed some serious dental work for quite some time and you kept putting it off over months or even years, there might be so much damage that a root canal or crown won’t be enough. If this is the case then pulling the tooth out might be your only viable option.

Dental Trauma
After an accident where there is tooth damaged, any sharp pain, bleeding gums, or anything similar may indicate it’s time to come in and get the damaged tooth pulled and the damaged area cleaned out.

At our Rochester dental office we never want to be in a position where we are pulling a tooth that could have been saved. However, sometimes there are no other options. Hopefully, the information provided in the is article, as well as elsewhere on emergencydentistrochesterny.com, you’ll find information that helps you keep your bright smile for many years to come.

Three Dental Symptoms To Look Out For

When it comes to dental health, prevention is always the best medicine. For most people this means brushing their teeth everyday and visiting the dentist 1 – 2 times a year for a checkup and cleaning.

While that is certainly a great way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, it is not a guarantee that a dental emergency will never crop up. Even for people who take great care of their teeth there are a 3 dental symptoms that should never be ignored.

The first symptom that should never be ignored is stabbing or throbbing pain in or around the teeth. Pain of this nature is a strong indicator that a cavity is present. This could even be true if visually the affected tooth looks fine. When the pain is intense it means that the nerves are being impacted which is a sign of a serious decay issue.

Another symptom that should not be overlooked is any pain that is occurring in a tooth that has previously been worked on. Unfortunately it is possible that a tooth can continue to decay even after a filling has been put in. This type of decay can be the most insidious because it can go on for months unnoticed. Because these teeth have already been compromised it is critical to get to a dentist as soon as the patient notices any pain.

The final symptom that a person should not ignore is sensitivity to heat or cold. Sensitivities in this regard are not normal and can be a first sign of beginning decay. It can also be a sign of less serious conditions like teeth grinding that the patient may not be aware of.

There are many other dental symptoms that could have made this list, but keeping an eye out for the three mentioned above is a great way to prevent serious dental conditions in the future.

Are Your Gums Bleeding? Why You Should See A Dentist Right Away

We see hundreds of men and women that come to our Rochester dental office with bleeding gums on a regular basis. Bleeding gums is actually quite a common symptom that is suffered by many individuals of all ages. Often times, bleeding gums can be caused by something such as not flossing properly. With that being said, bleeding gums can sometimes by an indication of something much more serious. Hence, if you or someone you know have had bleeding gums, you should certainly make an appointment with us right away.

Bleeding gums, as mentioned above, is usually caused by minor trauma. Such things as flossing to strongly can cause bleeding gums. Even using a new toothbrush which is quite different to what you are used to can cause your gums to bleed. However, for all of these minor causes of bleeding gums, there are more serious causes as well.

When there is the bleeding of the gums, sometimes this can be the indication of periodontal gum disease. Periodontal gum disease is actually a very common condition that is suffered by lots of middle aged individuals. The disease causes the gums to become inflamed and if left untreated can cause the lose of teeth. Hence, this is why it’s important that anyone with the bleeding of the gums go ahead and get their gums checked out by qualified, professional dentists like ourselves.

Furthermore, bleeding gums can be an indication of an even more serious condition such as mouth cancer. Often times, mouth cancer will come along with a whole plethora of different oral symptoms other than just bleeding gums, however. The symptoms of mouth cancer usually include the likes of skin lesions and large sores. With that in mind, it is always better to be safe than sorry, so make sure to get any kind of bleeding gums to be checked out.

As you can see, bleeding gums can be an indication of a whole range of different illnesses and causes. In light of the more serious diseases that can cause the bleeding of the gums, it’s important to see a dentist right away if you experience any of these symptoms.