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What to do if you have a dental emergency

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If you’ve suffered from a dental emergency, you know how frightening and debilitating it can be. I have received many calls from concerned patients that are unsure what to do after a trauma. So this is a good time to address how dentists manage a weekend or evening call after a tooth breaks, cracks, becomes loose, or is knocked out completely or even develops into a painful toothache with swelling.

As always, prevention is best. You can prevent some traumatic sports injuries by wearing a mouthguard to stop your teeth from being dislodged or broken. You should also avoid any hard foods, like ice and popcorn, that may result in your teeth cracking or breaking. However, despite these precautions, if you suffer from a dental emergency, you should see your dentist soon and not wait for pain.

There are certain dental emergencies that require you to go to a hospital for treatment. These include: jaw fractures; jaw dislocations; serious lacerations of the soft tissues of the face and mouth, and an abscess or infection that is very swollen or that is impacting breathing or swallowing, especially if you have serious medical conditions.

If you suffer from a dental emergency on a weekend or after your dentist’s office hours, it is OK to contact your dentist at their emergency phone number. It is best to get some advice from an expert and not wait for things to get worse. Sadly, I have seen many patients come to me after “toughing it out” then it is too late to save the tooth or they need a root canal. Your dentist wants to help, so they have an emergency phone number for this very reason.

In this article, I will review some common dental emergencies and what they mean…

  1. Toothache: While this may also be due to “sensitive teeth”, you know it’s an emergency when the pain suddenly increases in magnitude and frequency. This means that you have a potential tooth problem, such as a cavity, crack or abscess. Also, the pain increases after being provoked by touch, temperature or chewing. This is the most common call that dentists receive on the weekend.
  2. Loose teeth: If you were struck by an object, fell, or bit on a hard food you could have injured the tooth and its surrounding ligaments. Even if your teeth are loose but not painful, it could mean a tooth injury or localized infection. If the loose tooth is accompanied by red and bleeding gums, it could indicate advanced gum disease. If left untreated, it could result in heart disease and other medical problems.
  3. Swollen jaw or mouth: Swelling along the jaw and mouth could be caused from a swollen lymph node or tooth infection. If you are in severe pain, it’s a dental crisis and you should consult us immediately. If it’s just tender, you can wait and watch to see if it subsides. Lymph nodes develop swelling and pain due to disease (even a cold or flu) or infection. They should not cause swelling that is noticeable in the mirror, that is an abscess.
  4. Numbness or a total lack of sensation: This could mean that the infection has progressed so far that you have an abscess close to the nerve and you may need a root canal. This could also be caused by other diseases in the jaw. Sudden onset of numbness deserves a call to the dentist.
  5. Metallic or bitter taste in the mouth: This could be due to a broken filling. It is very important to get a broken filling treated promptly, otherwise it could turn into a bigger problem that would need a crown or root canal.
  6. Jaw pain: While this could be due to various reasons, ranging from a broken tooth to arthritis, and from stress to joint pain, it is important to rule out a cracked or infected tooth. You should consult us ASAP, as we can identify the source of the pain and treat it.
  7. Persistent headaches: If your headache coincides with a toothache, they may be related, as the nerves to both regions originate from the same location in your brain. Do not disregard your headaches, particularly chronic headaches without the advice of your doctor and dentist.
  8. A mouth or lip laceration: When you have a deep cut in the mouth or crosses the pink portion of your lip across to the skin, this needs to be evaluated. If this is deep, continues to ooze, and potentially can leave a scar, it should be evaluated. If there is a laceration within the lip/mouth that is not deep and stops bleeding on its own, then just use lots of ice. Lacerations around the mouth are common and tend to swell after 1-2 days so be prepared with ice afterwards. Again, if in doubt you should head to the ER or call me.

So, now you know the different symptoms and conditions of common dental emergencies. While it is easy to ignore the first symptoms or delay treatment, it’s always a good idea to get an expert opinion. Here’s to the efficacious and prompt treatment of your dental emergency.

For more information on how to treat your dental emergency, contact Dr. Libby Finnessy of Bellevue Dental Health at 425-641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com.

myths-and-facts-about-teeth-whitening

Myths and Facts about Teeth Whitening

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We all love the look of a bright, white smile. In fact, in most cultures through the ages, sparkling white teeth have been a sign of good health and prosperity. The color of your teeth can affect how you feel about yourself and how others perceive you.

However, there are several myths that exist about teeth whitening. Here we want to address some of these myths and present the truth about the whitening process.

Myth #1: Teeth whitening weakens your teeth.

Fact #1: This is untrue. Although tooth whitening can be completed with products for use at home, it is best to consult with a dental professional first. Often teeth have fillings or crowns that alter the effects of bleaching and Dr. Finnessy will determine what is best. Use of a professional product like Zoom whitening is fast, easy, and safe to your teeth and can be completed in one appointment.

Myth #2: If you have sensitive teeth you cannot undergo a teeth whitening procedure, as the sensitivity will get worse.

Fact #2: This is untrue, but again with sensitive teeth, talking with Dr. Finnessy first is even more important. She will assess the level of your sensitivity and then design a teeth whitening treatment that will reduce its impact on your sensitive teeth.

Myth #3:  You can whiten your teeth with baking soda.

Fact #3: This should be avoided as it simply does not work and moreover, will disrupt the ratio of good to bad bacteria in your mouth. Furthermore, the abrasiveness of baking soda is harmful to your teeth.

Myth #4: Teeth whitening is permanent.

Fact #4: Once you see the effect of bleaching the length of time until the staining recurs is dependent on exposure to use of these products. . After an initial treatment, patients can go in for a additional procedures every 6 months, or reuse their bleach trays every 3 months. However, exposure to coffee, smoking, red wine and some medicines may darken teeth again so the best treatment is to reduce exposure to these factors.

Myth #5: You can use whitening toothpaste, which is as effective as teeth whitening by a dentist.

Fact #5: This is simply not the case. In fact, because these toothpastes use abrasive ingredients to scrub off the stains on your teeth, they can wear away the protective layer or “pellicle” that forms over your teeth. This makes your teeth sensitive and more prone to staining in the future.

Myth #6: Teeth whitening works for everyone.

Fact #6: Teeth naturally darken with age. Some teeth become yellow, while others are gray and bleaching may not have the desired outcome. You should consult with Dr. Finnessy before beginning any teeth whitening procedure. She should be able to predict whether bleaching will deliver the results you’re looking for. In most cases, anyone with gum disease, broken or damaged teeth, restorations, exposed roots, or incomplete dental work should not attempt whitening unless these problems are first remedied.

 Myth #7: Zoom whitening can alter the structure of your teeth permanently.

Fact #7: The Zoom in-office teeth whitening procedure uses the Zoom Advanced Power Chairside Lamp. This accelerates the bleaching process by activating the Hydrogen Peroxide whitening. As the Hydrogen Peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin to bleach the stains, leaving the structure of the tooth unchanged. It is safe and quick.

There are many other questions you may have about teeth whitening. Dr. Finnessy performs Zoom whitening and other whitening procedures daily so don’t hesitate to ask her about this today. She is even offers free Zoom teeth whitening for new patients to get them excited for their new smile!

 

For more information about teeth whitening or other dental procedures,

consult Dr. Finessey at (425)641-3311 or at info@bellevuedentalhealth.com.