Emergency dentistry is not likely to be at the forefront of your mind, but if a dental emergency did occur, would you know what to do first? For many, the answer would likely be “go to the emergency room.” Unfortunately, many hospitals are not capable of treating your dental emergency. Saginaw Dental is more than prepared to not only get you out of discomfort but help you restore your smile and oral health to the fullest. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, we’re here to help. Contact our dental office to speak with one of Dr. Renkuntla’s team members and schedule an appointment for emergency dentistry in Saginaw!
Dental emergencies typically come in two forms. The first category is emergencies caused by sudden injuries, often from sports or an accident. The other category includes serious issues that have been developing for a long time because of poor oral hygiene or bad chewing habits. Thankfully, our team here at Saginaw Dental is well-prepared and well-equipped to handle whatever type of dental emergency you or your loved one may be facing. As soon as you can, give us a call so we can help you take the appropriate next steps. If you experience any of the following emergencies, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us!
Keep in mind that the cost of treatment can be difficult to determine until we get a chance to examine your condition. For example, while minor tooth pain caused by decay may only require a thorough cleaning and a dental filling, more severe emergencies like cracked or avulsed teeth may require extraction, which comes with its own unique costs. During your visit, we’ll carefully examine your dental emergency and provide recommendations that best get you out of discomfort and restore your smile.
While we always love seeing our patients at Saginaw Dental, it’s better to prevent dental emergencies than to deal with them. Luckily, there are a few excellent ways to drastically reduce your chances of experiencing a dental crisis. Here are a few habits you can adopt to preserve your oral health, prevent painful oral infections and injuries, and spare yourself the expense of having to treat preventable dental conditions. For more information, please contact our staff online.
Your daily oral hygiene regimen is your first line of defense against oral injuries and infections. Make sure you’re brushing, flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwash every day to keep the harmful oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease at bay. Habitually keeping your mouth clean can make the difference between living comfortably with your smile and being suddenly struck with a miserable and agonizing toothache.
Consuming too much sugar and starch leaves a residue in your mouth that provides harmful oral bacteria with the fuel they need to multiply rapidly so they can infect your teeth and soft tissues. Acidic foods and beverages like soda, red wine, and sour candy are especially bad because they erode your enamel on contact. Luckily, healthy foods like fibrous fruits and veggies and fresh meat are great for your oral and overall well-being.
The American Dental Association recommends seeing us twice yearly for routine exams and cleanings. These visits allow us to monitor the state of your oral health, thoroughly clean your mouth, and correct issues in their early stages. Keeping up with these appointments can prevent many dental emergencies down the road.
Using your teeth to open bottles or packages is an excellent way to chip, crack, or fracture them. These habits have led to much oral pain and many dental emergencies, so please use the proper tool to open boxes and beverages. Keep in mind that while emergency dental appointments can be quite costly, box cutters and bottle openers often go for as little as a few bucks.
Many people enjoy playing sports for exercise and recreation, and many other people reflexively grind their teeth in their sleep. If you fall in either of these groups, please invest in a nightguard or an athletic mouthguard to protect your smile from damage. We offer these appliances at our office, and we customize each one to fit the patient’s teeth perfectly so they can enjoy the best protection possible.
Dental emergencies are unsettling and can happen when you least expect them to. Luckily, being well-informed and prepared to handle these stressful situations can help you navigate them with ease. That’s why our team at Saginaw Dental has decided to answer some of the most frequently asked questions. If you don’t see your specific question below or find yourself in the middle of an emergency, feel free to give our office a call!
The majority of toothaches are caused by severe dental decay, which means they won’t resolve on their own without professional dental attention. Because of that, you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Renkuntla as soon as you notice any tooth pain to ensure nothing is wrong. By addressing the underlying problem early on, you can avoid experiencing severe complications and needing extensive dental work down the line.
If a nagging toothache is keeping you up at night, try sleeping with your head propped up on a few pillows. Keeping your head elevated will prevent blood from rushing to it and intensifying the pain. Additionally, you can take over-the-counter pain medication as needed or use a cold compress to alleviate your discomfort. Make sure you avoid eating acidic, cold, or hard foods right before bed as well!
Only licensed dentists are able to perform tooth extractions. It’s considered illegal for a person to do an extraction without the right training and education required, even if it’s in a hospital setting. An emergency room will only be able to provide antibiotics and pain medication for your toothache – not address the issue causing it. For that reason, you should always visit a dentist when it comes to problems with your teeth and gums. Depending on your situation, Dr. Renkuntla may decide that an extraction isn’t necessary and suggest root canal therapy instead.
Throbbing tooth pain is often a sign of an infection or inflammation within the tooth. When a cavity inside the tooth allows air and bacteria to reach the inner portion, it can result in irritation and potential infection of the pulp nerves. A persistent toothache can also occur if decay is present. There are some instances where throbbing teeth are the result of chronic teeth grinding and clenching.
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