How to Cope with a Dental Emergency

Even if you had thought you had taken care of everything and are ready for your big ugly Sweater Christmas party, the thought of a broken veneer probably hadn’t even crossed your path. Unfortunately, things quickly changed when you decided to open the champagne with your teeth.

Accidents are part of life and invariably happen at the most inopportune times. A lost filling cracked tooth or other dental emergency should be taken care of as soon as possible to avoid further damage. Putting a piece of cotton over that old silver amalgam filling that you lost when you were having dinner should just be a quick fix until you get to the dentist.

According to the American Dental Association, a broken bridge, or any other dental emergency can cause serious problems. Ignoring a dental issue will increase your risk requiring more expensive and extensive therapy later.  

If you’ve got a toothache, skip the painkillers, including aspirin and get to the dentist. If you are swollen, grab a cold compress and place it on your cheek or mouth. Rinse your mouth and floss in order to remove any food particles.

Make sure you save all of the pieces if you break or chip a tooth. Rinse your mouth and be careful looking for remnants of the tooth. If you’re bleeding, apply gauze until the bleeding stops. Place a cold compress on the outside of your mouth, lip, or cheek near the chipped or broken tooth to help reduce swelling and relieve any pain.

If you have partially dislodged or knocked out your tooth this is a dental emergency and you need to call your dentist right away. If it has been partially dislodged, take Advil or Tylenol to help with the pain and apply a cold compress on the outside of your mouth. If you have knocked it out, gently rinse being careful not to remove or wash away attached tissue fragments. If you can, put the tooth back without forcing it into place. If this isn’t possible, place the tooth in a container of water with a pinch of salt, or milk without the salt. See your dentist immediately as chances are your tooth can be saved.

Take your time during the holidays and be sure and brush, floss and see your dentist as needed, especially if you are experiencing a dental emergency. 

Whiten Your Teeth for the Holidays

The holidays are here and if you have been neglecting your teeth and gums, there has never been a better time to schedule an appointment for a checkup with your dentist.

During the festive season most people have their hands full with planning, shopping and entertaining, and if your smile is less than bright, you may want to consider tooth whitening.

Your pearly whites are the first thing people notice when they see you and if you greet folks with a closed mouth smile, see your dentist today.

Of course, you can purchase over the counter tooth whitening products such as toothpastes, gels, mouthwashes and whitening strips, but most will not get your teeth white before Christmas and New Year. Your dentist has tooth whitening products that can get your teeth white and bright just in time to show them off at your next holiday party.

According to Web MD, tooth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure in the world with people spending billions of dollars each year for a whiter, brighter smile.

Teeth that are stained can benefit from tooth whitening, but if you have dental restorations such as tooth colored fillings, stains from root canals, crowns or bridges, tooth whitening products will not work.

If you do have dental restorations, talk to your dentist about dental bonding with CEREC. This quick cosmetic dental procedure can repair chips and cracks and even fill in that gap between your front teeth.

Dental bonding is a less expensive alternative to veneers and looks just like your natural teeth. Dental bonding will not be as strong as porcelain veneers, but if you want a quick fix to repair previous dental restoration procedures, dental bonding could be the answer.

When it comes to a beautiful smile for the holidays, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can help you come up with a plan to turn your frown upside down.