What Are The Most Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies?

A pediatric dental emergency can occur at any time, with or without the presence of any symptoms. It can be scary for both parents and their children. This is especially true if the tooth is fractured or completely broken. Handling a pediatric dental emergency can protect the child’s dental health.

What Are Typical Pediatric Dental Emergencies?

Typical pediatric dental emergencies include a tooth fracture, knocked out teeth, infected baby tooth, persistent toothache, and dental intrusion.

1. Tooth Fracture

A fracture in the tooth affects the main function of the tooth. It can cause an unusual feeling and discomfort in the child’s mouth. It can, therefore, reduce the child’s ability to chew and eat. The child may feel pain when chewing. So, if a child complains of severe tooth pain, it is best to take the child for a dental x-ray.

2. Knocked Out Tooth

A knocked out tooth, or dental avulsion, happens when a tooth is completely knocked out of the child’s mouth. Injuries and accidents can knock out a tooth. The child can lose a baby tooth or even a permanent tooth. If a baby’s tooth is completely knocked out during an accident, it requires immediate dental attention.

3. Infected Baby Tooth

A baby tooth can become infected due to an issue with the root of the baby tooth or poor oral hygiene. A bacterial infection, for example, can cause damage to the baby’s teeth and supporting gums. If left untreated, the infection could spread to other parts of the child’s body.

4. Persistent Toothache

Tooth infection, tooth decay, and dental injury are the most common causes of persistent toothache. A severe toothache can make it difficult for the child to speak, eat, and even sleep.

Pain medications make the child’s pain less severe. It is, however, wise to let a pediatric dentist examine the child’s mouth and treat the underlying cause of the persistent toothache.

5. Dental Intrusion

A dental intrusion occurs when a baby tooth or permanent tooth is pushed into the gumline or jawbone. The tooth will appear shorter than the neighboring teeth.

Children are mostly affected by dental intrusion. This is because the child’s alveolar bones are not as hard as those of an adult.

Conclusion

Regular dental checkups can help prevent these pediatric dental emergencies and protect the child’s teeth and jaw. It is very expensive to replace a lost tooth.

Pediatric dental emergencies can affect the child’s development and ability to speak, eat, and concentrate in school. So, parents should not put off taking their children to see a pediatric dentist.

If a parent takes their child to see a pediatric dentist in Albuquerque as early as possible, the dentist is more likely to save their child’s tooth.

Treatment Options For Missing Teeth

While tooth loss is quite a common problem, it can be very problematic if left unaddressed. Losing one or more teeth not only affects the appearance of your smile, but can also impact your oral health and lead to wide range of issues. Over time, a missing tooth can lead to complications such as misaligned teeth, gum disease, and bone tissue loss. Also, the absence of teeth can make chewing and speaking more difficult. All these factors can have a profound effect on your overall health, confidence, and personal life.

Treatment Options For Missing Teeth

Whether your missing tooth is the result of an injury, severe tooth decay, or a genetic condition, you need to have it addressed as soon as possible. Fortunately, modern dentistry has presented us with a wide range of effective and affordable treatment options for missing teeth.

Here are some of the most common options:

Dental Implants

Dental implants are artificial roots made of titanium that are surgically inserted into the jaw bone and upon which the replacement teeth are anchored.
Implants are generally the most preferred choice, and for good reasons. First, dental implants help restore the natural look and feel of real teeth. Secondly, implants provide support to the jaw bone and prevent bone reabsorption. They also help to preserve the adjacent teeth. Thirdly, if well taken care of, implants can last an entire lifetime, essentially serving as permanent solution to missing teeth.

Dentures

Dentures are removable dental appliances designed to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Dentures are among the most cost-effective treatment options.
There are two main types of dentures:
i) Partial dentures are typically used when the patient is missing one or a few teeth and the remaining teeth are healthy and natural. They have an acrylic or metal base and are designed to attach to the existing teeth using clasps
ii) Complete dentures are used when all teeth are missing in either jaw bone or both. They consist of a set of acrylic or porcelain artificial teeth affixed to a flesh-colored acrylic base that fits over the gums.

While dentures are cheaper and less invasive than implants or bridges, they may feel less comfortable and stable.

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is a viable option when there are teeth on either side of the missing tooth. As you might have deduced from the name, a dental bridge “bridges” the gap created by the missing tooth by anchoring an artificial tooth (made of gold, alloys, porcelain or a mixture of these materials) to the adjacent natural teeth or dental implants. A dental bridge is typically a permanent solution that stays in once inserted by a dentist.

It can be used to replace one or more missing teeth.
There are three main types of bridges: traditional, cantilever, and Maryland.

While all the options discussed above are effective ways of replacing missing teeth, it is always advisable to consult your dentist in Albuquerque before making a final decision.

How To Treat An Infected Tooth While Waiting For A Dental Appointment

An infected tooth or an abscess is a serious medical condition. It’s important to make a dental appointment as soon as possible. While you’re waiting for your dental appointment, there are some steps that you can take to ease your symptoms and begin the preparation for your visit to the dentist.

How To Treat An Infected Tooth While Waiting For A Dental Appointment

To get relief and eliminate infection, rinse your mouth with warm salt water. Combine one to two teaspoons of salt with four ounces of warm water, stir it until the salt dissolves, swish it in your mouth, and then spit it out. Use all of the four ounces of salt water until it is gone. Repeat as necessary for relief.

You can also rinse your mouth with baking soda water. Stir a teaspoon of baking soda into 4 ounces of warm water. Swish the mixture in your mouth for a few minutes, and then spit the mixture out. Repeat as needed for relief.

You may find some relief with an ice pack. Fill your ice pack with ice and place the ice pack against your check. You may wish to place a soft cloth between your cheek and the ice pack. Hold this on the affected area for about twenty minutes at a time. Repeat every hour or so as needed for relief.

Clove oil can offer some relief for a toothache. Apply the clove oil to the affected area with a cotton-tipped swab. Repeat this as needed for pain relief. Oil of oregano or thyme oil can also be used. Be sure to use a carrier oil so that you’re not using the oil full strength, as this can cause a burn.

Mix a three percent hydrogen peroxide solution with warm water and swish it around your mouth. Spit this out and repeat as needed to treat the pain and infection.

Acetomenophen and ibuprofen can also treat pain. Take the recommended amount and swallow with a glass of water. Do not allow the medication to dissolve on your tooth, as this can create more damage. Follow the package directions and make sure not to take more than recommended.

These tips and tricks can help to ease your pain while you wait for your dental appointment. Mix and match these remedies as needed for maximum pain relief. Make sure to avoid using oils directly on the skin without a carrier oil. Follow package directions on any OTC pain medications.

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How Does A Dentist Treat A Tooth Avulsion?

Accidents and injuries can knock out a tooth, but if this ever happens to you, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s lost forever. Quick action can help save your tooth so that it can be successfully replanted and last for years. You can first reinsert the tooth yourself or save it in liquid. You should then seek help from a dentist for further treatment.

How Do Dentists Treat a Knocked-Out Tooth?

It can be simple to put a knocked-out tooth back in place sometimes. However, it can sometimes be complicated, such as in situations where the tooth is broken.

If you have a broken tooth, the dentist will flush debris from its socket using water. Next, they will slot the knocked-out tooth back into place. Re-implantation of the tooth should be done as soon as possible. Ideally, it should be done within an hour of the tooth being knocked out.

The dentist will either perform the root canal immediately or wait to do it later. The best course of action depends on several different factors. The dentist will then splint the knocked-out tooth to the teeth on either side using a soft wire and/or composite material. This is used to hold the tooth in place for a few days. It’s up to the dentist to decide how long the splint should remain.

If the bone around the tooth wasn’t fractured, the root will likely reattach firmly to the bone in about 3 to 4 weeks. If there was more damage to the area, however, 6 to 8 weeks of repair time may be required.

The dentist should examine the reattached tooth again in 3 to 6 months. Unless there are signs of infection, the next visit will occur at your annual checkup. Your dentist will then check periodically over the next few years to ensure successful re-implantation.

Have an Avulsed Tooth? See a Dentist Immediately!

The best way to avoid having to deal with a knocked-out tooth is to ensure that you practice proper oral hygiene, keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy, wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle and a seat belt when riding in a vehicle, wear mouth guards during sports, and practice fall prevention methods.

If you do all the above but still end up with a knocked-out tooth, put it in a liquid (preferably milk) and go see a dentist immediately. Your quick actions after having your tooth knocked out could mean the difference between losing it permanently and having your beautiful smile for many more years.

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Jaw Pain Could Be a Sign of a Serious Dental Problem

Jaw pain refers to any physical discomfort localized in the jaw. In most instances, jaw pain doesn’t require immediate medical attention. While this is definitely a relief, jaw pain sometimes can be indicative of a more serious underlying problem.

Jaw Pain Could Be a Sign of a Serious Dental Problem

Here are 3 instances when jaw pain is a sign of a serious dental problem:

Untreated Cavities

Untreated cavities might not be the most obvious reason for jaw pain, but they can progress to a point where they cause jaw pain. A cavity can cause jaw pain if the tooth deteriorates to such an extent where its root gets infected.

The infection can then spread to tissues in the jawbone and this can cause severe pain if not treated. To prevent this, you need to go for regular dental check-ups and consult with your dentist to ensure that no cavity gets this bad.

Grinding of Teeth

Grinding can cause damage to your teeth and is one of the leading causes of jaw pain. It is also referred to as clenching the teeth. Some people may grind their teeth when stressed while others may grind their teeth while sleeping and might not even be aware of it.

Grinding your teeth can likely lead to major dental problems. One way to prevent grinding of teeth is to wear a mouthguard when sleeping at night. Reducing stress is another effective way to address this problem.

TMJ Disorder

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are one of the leading causes of jaw pain. The TMJ plays an important role in your everyday life, allowing you to breathe, talk, and eat. TMJ disorders occur when there’s an issue with jaw and facial muscles.

If TMJ disorders advance to a severe state after you start experiencing pain in this area, you may eventually be unable to move the joint. To ensure that TMJ disorders and the resulting pain don’t wreak havoc on your life, you should seek immediate dental treatment.

Final Thoughts

Jaw pain is a serious problem that can cause you great discomfort and poor quality of life. It can be relatively harmless and disappear on its own without any intervention or it could be indicative of a more serious dental issue as clearly shown here.

If you have severe and recurrent jaw pain or have a combination of any of the conditions discussed here, you should see your dentist, doctor, or oral surgeon. You would want to know if the jaw pain was caused by an underlying condition that’s more serious and only a professional can make that determination.

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How Long Can You Ignore A Toothache Before Getting Dental Care?

A toothache can ruin an entire day. There are many reasons for a toothache. Depending on your reason, you may need to seek emergency dental care on the same day as your toothache. Here are some of the reasons for a toothache and emergency dental care.

How Long Can You Ignore A Toothache Before Getting Dental Care?

A broken tooth is a serious issue; you should seek dental care immediately. If left untreated, you could wind up with a serious life-threatening infection. The sooner you seek emergency care, the sooner you can get back to living and your regular activities. You may also be able to avoid an infection if you seek care immediately.

A broken or cracked filling is also a serious matter. Fillings can age and crack or break, causing tooth pain. If you have a cracked or broken filling, you’ll want to call your dentist as soon as possible to help avoid further damage to your tooth.

An abscess is a serious issue and should be treated immediately. If you have an abscess, you have a serious infection that could make you physically sick and cause issues for your dental health. Call your dentist immediately to get started on some antibiotics. In many cases, your dentist can’t make any tooth repairs until the abscess is taken care of.

If you have a loose adult tooth, you’ll want to seek dental care as soon as possible to avoid losing your tooth. Taking care of your teeth before it’s too late is always better. Having a dental implant or dentures costs more in the long run.

If your tooth hurts longer than a week or so, you should call and make a dental appointment. The sooner you seek medical attention, the sooner you can become pain-free and avoid more lengthy dentist appointments.

If you’re unsure if you need an emergency appointment, it’s wise to call our dentist and discuss the situation in more depth to ensure you can safely wait for a week or so before being seen.

Left unchecked, your damaged tooth can cause other serious health issues, including sinus infections and other illnesses. Your dentist is there to provide you with proper dental care. Most dental offices in Albuquerque have an emergency number for after-hours.

If you have a toothache, call your dentist’s office and explain what is going on to see what the best course of action is for your toothache. Routine dental care can help to prevent future dental issues.

How Do Dentists Treat Toothaches?

Toothaches come in many different forms, but are usually a sign that something needs to be checked by a dentist. When it comes to what actually causes toothaches, some common ones are gum infections, cavities, teeth grinding, infections, cracked teeth, and damaged fillings.

What Can a Dentist Do for a Toothache?

A dentist will first perform an examination and ask about your symptoms. He/she may also take a dental X-ray to find out whether there are any issues going on beneath the gums. The dentist will then recommend a suitable treatment depending on the severity of your situation.

Here are the 3 most common dentist-prescribed treatments for toothaches:

I. Dental Filling

If a hole has already formed in the decayed tooth, the dentist will remove the decayed area using a drill and repair the hole using dental fillings. Blue wavelength light is then used to cure and hasten the hardening of the fillings. Finally, they will file and polish the tooth for a correct bite.

II. Root Canal

A root canal may be necessary if the tooth is infected or for a larger cavity. The dentist first numbs the patient and then drills the tooth until reaching the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. He/she then removes it and seals the tooth. A crown may also be placed over the affected tooth to protect it from further damage.

III. Tooth Extraction

Extracting a tooth can be an effective solution to prevent further infection. It’s also a common solution for a crowded mouth, especially with impacted teeth that require surgery. The procedure starts with local anesthetic being administered to numb the area. The dentist then rocks the tooth back and forth using forceps to remove it from the jawbone.

Final Thoughts

Toothaches are usually the result of a more serious oral problem that requires immediate attention. To treat a toothache, the dentist will first review your medical history and conduct an examination. After determining the cause, he/she will prescribe a suitable treatment.

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What Should You Do If You Find That You Have a Loose Adult Tooth?

Loose teeth might be normal for a child, but can be a cause for concern for an adult. If one of your adult teeth feels loose, you might notice that it’s possible to wiggle it. You may also find a loose tooth by touching it while engaging in normal activities such as eating or drinking.

What Could Cause an Adult Tooth to Become Loose?

Adult teeth can become loose due to several different factors, which include but are not limited to:

– Injury/Trauma: Your adult teeth can become loose if an injury to your mouth causes damage to the root of the tooth as well as the surrounding gums.

– Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Clenching or grinding puts pressure on your teeth, which makes them loose over time.

– Gum Disease (Periodontitis): It’s a severe gum infection that causes gum recession. If left untreated, periodontitis can cause loose teeth.

– Pregnancy: The hormonal imbalances experienced during pregnancy may affect the bones and ligaments in the mouth that hold teeth causing them to loosen.

– Osteoporosis (Weakening of Bones): If you have osteoporosis, your jawbone may lose its density causing teeth to become loose.

– Diabetes: If your diabetes isn’t under control, it can aggravate your gum disease, which in turn can cause loosening of teeth.

– Medication: Calcium is necessary for strong and healthy bones and teeth, but certain medications can make it difficult for the body to absorb it. Prolonged intake of such medication can weaken and loosen your teeth.

What Can You Do While Waiting to See the Dentist?

If your tooth is very loose, fractured, chipped, knocked-out, or almost falling out, you have a dental emergency and you should see your dentist within the shortest time possible. To save your tooth, it needs to be out back in its socket within no more than 2 hours.

In the meantime, you should do the following:

– Avoid touching the root when picking the tooth up

– Rinse the tooth in a bowl of lukewarm water

– Replace the tooth in its socket facing the right way

– Press down on the tooth with your thumb until the crown is level with the adjacent tooth

– Bite down on a wad of cloth to stabilize the tooth until you’re seen by the dentist.

If you have a loose adult tooth, don’t panic. You can increase the odds of avoiding tooth loss or any further complications by seeking treatment immediately. Contact or schedule an appointment with a dentist in Albuquerque if you think that you have a loose adult tooth and your smile will thank you.

Is Same Day Tooth Extraction Possible?

If you are dealing with an infected tooth, it’s very important to act quickly. The longer you wait to address it, the more damage can be done to your teeth and gums. But when is it the right time to pull an infected tooth?

If you have an infected tooth that has been bothering you and you are eager to see it go, you may wonder, once you have scheduled an appointment, will the dentist pull your tooth on the first visit or will it have to wait until a second one?

Will a Dentist Pull a Tooth on the First Visit?

A dentist can pull a tooth that’s infected during the first appointment, but it’s highly unlikely for him or her to actually do it. In most cases, a consultation is necessary for a variety of reasons that you need to know about.

The consultation allows the dentist to determine what type of extraction is required, whether there’s actually an infection present, and whether the procedure requires anesthesia. X-rays will also be needed to get a closer look at your teeth and jaw.

You will then be booked for the procedure after the consultation. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, the dentist will likely book you as soon as possible. Many dental offices allow for emergency appointments after hours for urgent cases.

Final Thoughts

The reality is that while all dentists can perform emergency tooth extractions, they will hardly ever pull a tooth on the first visit. To reduce your risk of developing an infection that may require emergency treatment, you need to take proper care of your teeth.

Proper oral care includes maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding substances likely to damage your teeth, and having regular dental checkups in Albuquerque every 6 months. If you visit the dentist regularly, the signs of infection can be identified in the early stages and addressed before significant damage occurs.

What is the Most Painful Dental Problem?

Tooth decay, dental abscesses, displaced teeth, and loose fillings are some of the most painful dental issues.

What is the Most Painful Dental Problem?

Toothache is considered to be one of the most common dental emergencies. It can interfere with your work, sleep, and feeding schedule. If you experience a severe toothache, it is recommended that you seek emergency dental care immediately.

There are many reasons why you may experience toothache. The pain might be temporary, going away on its own, or persistent – which may be a sign of an underlying issue. In some cases, the pain may be accompanied by swelling and bleeding in the gums.

Pain is one of the most commonly experienced symptoms of dental issues. Continue reading below to find out more about the most painful dental issue.

Displaced/Dislodged Teeth

Having your tooth knocked out of place can be quite painful. You need to see a dentist immediately if your tooth has been knocked out. It is easier for a dental professional to minimize the damage caused by a dislodged tooth by addressing the problem as soon as possible. As a rule of thumb, you should never touch the root of a tooth that has been knocked out. Simply rinse off any dirt on the tooth with water, while holding the crown. If you cannot reposition the tooth, put it in milk and head to the dentist immediately.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay can lead to sharp, stabbing pain in the affected teeth. Tooth decay occurs when a sticky layer of bacteria, referred to as plaque, adheres to the outer layer of teeth. The bacteria release acids that can dissolve the enamel, after feeding on carbohydrates and bacteria. Continued breakdown of the enamel exposes the more sensitive layers of teeth; thus, leading to pain and elevated sensitivity to heat and cold.

Abscess

In addition to being very painful, an abscessed tooth is considered to be a serious dental emergency. An abscessed tooth is normally caused by an infection of the soft tissue inside the tooth structure. While some people may have an abscess for weeks or even months without experiencing any pain, others may find this condition to be quite painful from the start.

Your dentist will need to drain the abscess and prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection. A root canal is the most common treatment for tooth abscesses.

Gum Infection

Gum infection is another painful dental condition. An infection of the gums can lead to periodontitis. When left untreated for long, the bacteria in the infected gums can spread to the bloodstream, leading to serious heart and lung problems.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are different types of painful dental problems. The level of pain involved varies from one individual to the next. If you are concerned about any dental pain you might be experiencing, be sure to contact your dentist immediately.

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