Quick Fixes For Emergencies

If you have a dental emergency, you need to see a dentist as soon as possible. However, if you’re unable to see a dentist immediately, there are some steps you can take at home to temporarily cope with a dental emergency until you get to the dentist.

Sometimes a painful tooth is caused by cavities that reach the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth. The result can be searing pain to warm or cold sensations, pain while biting down and ultimately pain no matter what you do. The pain could also be the result of a root canal gone wrong.

The best way to manage this is to avoid drinking or eating anything hot, cold, or sweet, and to take over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), Aleve, or Tylenol. The more a tooth is hurting you before you go to the dentist, the more difficult it is for the dentist to treat the tooth.

Broken teeth are another common dental emergency. Teeth can break when eating hard foods or ice, during an accident and because a cavity has weakened the tooth. Avoid eating or drinking on the side of the broken tooth, take pain relievers (described above) and save the part of the tooth that has broken off.

If there is a sharp edge of the tooth remaining and is irritating your mouth, put a piece of wax or a small piece of gum over it. Some drug stores even sell over-the-counter temporary sealants (Temparin and Dentemp OS) that can be placed on the broken tooth. Do-it-yourself sealants are usually only good for 48 hours.

If a filling falls out, keep the lost piece to show your dentist. Keep your tooth clean by brushing gently with toothpaste and lukewarm water. You can also use temporary sealants on the tooth (as mentioned above).

Visit our website to learn about other ways to make quick fixes for emergencies or call (949) 760-0363 to make an emergency appointment with one of our experienced dentists. We will get you in quickly and treat your tooth ASAP. Don’t suffer in pain needlessly; call today.

Schedule Your Dental Checkup and Cleaning

Did you  know that in 2009 there were over 830,000 visits to emergency rooms in the United States for preventable dental conditions? Those who visit their dentist every six months have significantly better oral health than those who do not. With regular check ups and a good hygiene routine, many costlier procedures are never needed, saving you money in the long run and allowing you to enjoy healthier teeth for a longer period of time.

You may be wondering- Why not stick to just my at home care? While a good home care routine is absolutely necessary to maintain healthy teeth and gums, a cleaning by a certified dental hygienist will always be more thorough than your home care routine due to the special tools used to get rid of tartar and plaque. Plus, it is easier for the hygienist to see back into the hard to reach areas of the mouth to clean spots you normally miss.

The biannual check up and cleaning recommended by the American Dental Association is covered by insurance, but if you do not have insurance, it doesn't hurt to call and ask for an estimate or appointment. So if you have missed your six month cleaning, call and schedule an appointment today! If you're curious as to what's going on during your checkups and cleanings, visit our page for more specifics.

Newport Beach Dentist Patient Experience

At Image Dental Orthodontics in Newport Beach, Ca, we are dedicated to providing patients with the best dental patient experience. That is why we have the most comfortable chairs, flat screen televisions with movies playing for each patient, and we use the latest technology when we conduct your treatment.

We even have specially developed lights that cure dental cement faster than normal, which will reduce the amount of time you spend waiting around. Digital imaging machines make X-rays quick and easy. Laser surgery makes dental work accurate and painless.
Please click: Newport Beach Dentist if you have any questions about cosmetic dental procedures or call (949) 760-0363.