Avoid Tooth Trauma With These Steps

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Categories: Dental emergency, Injury

At OnCall Dental in Hanford CA, we know that emergencies related to dental trauma can be especially stressful. Maybe you’ve suffered a traumatic sports injury, or simply taken a fall. Whatever the case, it can be quite alarming when a tooth becomes loose or falls out entirely due to an unexpected accident.

Our team has put together a very useful list of preventative measures you can take to ensure you never suffer one of these injuries. Check them out below!

Steps To Take

  1. Brush and Floss Often: The first step should be obvious, but a preventative measure you can always take is to increase the consistency and efficacy of your dental care routine. Make sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and traditional dental floss. Hard-bristled toothbrushes can damage enamel and floss picks don’t offer enough versatility to reach every corner of the tooth.
  2. Wear A Mouthguard: If you participate in any team sports or athletic activities, make sure to protect your mouth at all costs. If you wear a mouthguard, you are less likely to damage your jaw during an injury, whether it be a thrown elbow, an aggressive challenge, or a rough fall.
  3. Avoid Grinding Your Teeth: The strength and structure of your enamel determines how well it responds to a traumatic injury. It makes sense; weaker teeth tend to fall out with less force. So, a useful preventative step is to avoid grinding your teeth. Tooth grinding, or bruxism, can have many causes. Consider meditation, wearing a mouthguard while you sleep, and seeking professional care at our offices. If you stop grinding your teeth, your jaw will not lose enamel and will be more prepared for any trouble that comes its way.
  4. Avoid Sugary and Starchy Foods: In the same vein, avoiding sugary and starchy foods prevents acids from forming in your mouth. This way, you prevent cavities and broken teeth, which make your jaw more susceptible to tooth-loss during a traumatic injury.

If you’ve taken all these steps, and still found yourself in suffering from tooth trauma, OnCall Dental in Hanford CA can offer treatment for broken, cracked, and chipped teeth. Patients also come to us for tooth extractions and other emergency dental services. Walk-ins are welcome! Contact us today!

Contact OnCall Dental (Tap to open in Google Maps):

OnCall Dental – Hanford
114 W Ivy St
Hanford, CA 93230
559-584-8237

OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704
559-900-2332

 

The Many Possible Causes Of Tooth Pain

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Categories: Dental emergency, Tooth pain

OnCall Dental in Hanford CA knows how much of a mystery tooth pain can be. It can show up unannounced, wax and wane, and, in the worst case, overstay it’s welcome. In order to facilitate a lack of confusion, our dental team has put together a list of the possible causes of tooth pain, so you can stay informed.

The Potential Causes

  • Tooth Infection: If a tooth – or the surrounding gum tissue – is infected, it might be a dental emergency. The pain you are feeling could be the infection pushing on the surrounding areas, which could make it difficult to chew or even smile. An infection could occur due to a traumatic mouth injury, an untreated cavity, or simple lack of dental care.
  • Gum Disease: Though more of a long-term emergency – if you can call anything that – gum disease can still cause intense pain if left untreated. If you see blood in the sink, it’s time to pay us a visit.
  • Tooth Decay: Most dental pain stems from this last cause; if you don’t care for your teeth, infections will develop whether you like it or not. If you find it hard to brush or floss, we recommend setting a timer and adding it to your calendar. Play fun music while doing it. Just make sure to brush fro 2-3 minutes and floss afterwards. The more you do, the less likely you’ll be of winding up in our chair.

OnCall Dental in Hanford CA helps with any and all dental emergencies. Don’t wait! If it feels like an emergency, it probably is. Walk-ins are welcome. Contact us today!

Contact OnCall Dental (Tap to open in Google Maps):

OnCall Dental – Hanford
114 W Ivy St
Hanford, CA 93230
559-584-8237

OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704
559-900-2332

Commonly Misidentified Problems

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At OnCall Dental in Hanford CA, we know how hard it can sometimes be to discern what is or isn’t an emergency. As we’ve said in our previous articles, if it feels like an emergency, it probably is! If your body is sending you signals of discomfort, pain, stress, anxiety, or weakness, then you should listen.

An emergency is deceptive; it can start out as a seemingly minor issue. A swollen gum that might be caused by bits of food, could also be a sign of gum disease, for example. In order to keep our patients educated, we have put together a simple list of emergencies that are often misidentified as minor problems.

Commonly Misidentified Emergencies

  1. Bleeding Gums: This one happens very often. If your gums bleed after brushing or flossing, it could be nothing. Often, food debris and a lack of care can make our gums swell, but constant brushing can reverse it. However, it could also be a sign of gum disease or tooth loss! In order to tell, floss and brush your teeth more regularly for a period of a 1-3 weeks. Make sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush. The bleeding should stop. If it doesn’t, it’s time to schedule an appointment!
  2. Bad Breath: We know what you’re thinking. Bad breath is an emergency? I mean, it’s uncomfortable, but is it really a serious issue? Well, if the odor is indicative of a major infection, it might very well be. Don’t hesitate to visit us; we can ascertain whether it stems from simple halitosis and dry mouth, or from a more serious issue.
  3. Tooth Pain: It could be simple cavity, sure! And if it is, a general check-up could help you deal with it. But tooth pain could also be a sign that you have an abscessed tooth or a major oral infection. Either of these could cause misalignment and extensive tooth decay. Even when the problem is just a cavity, it can evolve into a dental emergency when the infection bores down into the tooth root. If left untreated, it could require a root canal to save the tooth.
  4. Chipped Teeth: Is a slightly chipped or cracked tooth a cosmetic problem? Yes, but it can also be a health issue. Sharp, brittle surfaces can be harder to clean than smooth, rounded out teeth. Because of this, it can be easier for food debris to become lodged in the cracks and jagged edges of an incomplete tooth, which can cause unseen cavities that are harder to identify and treat.
  5. Abscessed Teeth: When a wisdom tooth comes in, it can become lodged against the others in a horizontal direction. Though many people might think removing them isn’t pressing and will only cause slight discomfort, in most people, this issue can cause misalignment.

At OnCall Dental in Hanford CA, we focus on any and every type of dental emergency. If you’re looking for an informed, dedicated, communicative staff, as well as top-of-the-line dentistry, contact us today!

Contact OnCall Dental (Tap to open in Google Maps):

OnCall Dental – Hanford
114 W Ivy St
Hanford, CA 93230
559-584-8237

OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704
559-900-2332

How To Remain Calm During Your Emergency

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At OnCall Dental in Hanford CA, we know few things can cause anxiety like a sudden, painful, and uncomfortable dental emergency. Whether it’s something as simple as food debris stuck in your teeth – causing you discomfort – or whether its as bad as a dental infection that needs a root canal – causing you serious pain – we can help!

Our list has compiled a list of tips to remain calm during your emergency. Stress, after all, simply adds more discomfort to an already uncomfortable situation.

Tips To Remain Calm

  1. Remind yourself that you are in good hands. As soon as you arrive, we will prioritize eliminating pain and fixing serious issues. It shouldn’t be long before you’re back to your normal self!
  2. Breathe. Panic is often increased by shortness of breath. If you’re feeling scared, pain can also seem way worse. Practice breathing exercises and play some calm music on the ride over.
  3. Remember our sedation options! If you suffer from dental phobia, we can soothe that anxiety with our sedation dentistry.

OnCall Dental in Hanford CA wants you to feel at home at our practice; especially during an emergency. Contact us today for an appointment and find out what we can do! Walk-in are welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental (Tap to open in Google Maps):

OnCall Dental – Hanford
114 W Ivy St
Hanford, CA 93230
559-584-8237

OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704
559-900-2332

Emergency Sedation at OnCall Dental in Hanford

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Categories: Dental emergency, Sedation Dentistry

At OnCall Dental in Hanford CA, we know how stressful a broken or chipped tooth can be. Even minor emergencies, like a toothache or food debris that is stuck between your teeth, can be anxiety-inducing experiences. If, on top of the natural stress that stems from emergencies, you also have a dental phobia, the prospect of visiting your dentist can become nightmarish!

In order to help alleviate your fears, we offer sedation dentistry options. These top-of-the-line sedation procedures, combined with a calm, comfortable office environment that is patient-focused and full of informed professionals, makes a visit to our practice a breeze!

Sedation Options

We offer two types of sedation options, and both are effective at numbing pain, minimizing awareness of the procedure, and calming nerves.

  • Laughing Gas: Also known as nitrous oxide, this orally administered gas can relax you, and even make you feel giddy! Hence, the name. Used in dentistry for decades, this option provides a comfortable middle ground for patients who want to ease their anxiety and still remain somewhat conscious.
  • Oral Conscious Sedation: A more complete sedation treatment, oral conscious sedation still leaves you aware of your surroundings, but it can have an incredible anxiety-reduction effect. The reason? It’s actually a powerful anti-anxiety medication. You take a pill, and the timed release means that it kicks in when you’re in the chair. Perfect!

At OnCall Dental in Hanford CA, you don’t have to worry about dental phobia adding stress to an already stressful dental emergency. If you want to hear more about our sedation options, or any of the emergency dental care options we offer, contact us today!

Contact OnCall Dental (Tap to open in Google Maps):

OnCall Dental – Hanford
114 W Ivy St
Hanford, CA 93230
559-584-8237

OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704
559-900-2332

Something Stuck Between Your Teeth?

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Categories: Dental emergency, Tooth pain

At OnCall Dental in Hanford CA, we know that having an object lodged in your gums or between your teeth can range from mildly bothersome to incredibly infuriating. In order to help make your life easier, our team has put together a list of steps to help.

What To Do

  1. Floss: This first step might be obvious, but flossing every tooth individually is a good way to dislodge any debris between your teeth. Take into account that sometimes its hard to pinpoint exactly where along your gum-line the object is. Since your tongue is not as useful for identifying different textures as your fingers are, don’t let it deceive you! Use a mirror and the tips of your fingers to locate the source and floss everywhere around it. The object might be wrapped around multiple teeth without you knowing it.
  2. Avoid Floss Picks: Though handy in a tight spot, it’s unlikely these limited picks can help you dislodge an object that is situated deep in the gum-line.
  3. Try A Salt Rinse: Many people swear by these. Gargling saltwater or fluoridated mouthwash might help loosen any debris.
  4. Try A Water Flosser: Also called oral irrigators, these modern-day flossers shoot high-pressure jets of water that can flush out the area between your teeth. It’s a surefire way of getting rid of unwanted objects.

If none of these methods work, you might have a minor dental emergency on your hands. Luckily, emergency dentistry is what we specialize in at OnCall Dental in Hanford CA. With a quick visit, we can help remove any objects with special dental appliances that you wouldn’t normally have access to. Don’t hesitate! Leaving the object in its spot could cause an infection or further complications. Walk-ins are welcome! Contact us today!

Contact OnCall Dental (Tap to open in Google Maps):

OnCall Dental – Hanford
114 W Ivy St
Hanford, CA 93230
559-584-8237

OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704
559-900-2332

Soothe Your Anxiety, Calm Your Fears

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Categories: Dental emergency, Sedation Dentistry

At OnCall Dental in Hanford CA, we know how stressful a dental emergency can be. Pain, discomfort, anxiety, and stress fuse together into a storm that can be hard to manage. In order to avoid this, we offer sedation dentistry. It has helped countless patients overcome their dental anxieties and phobias.

Maybe a tooth has fallen out or you’ve suffered a traumatic injury to your jaw? Over-the-counter medication, as well as hot and cold compresses, can help. However, if you’re too anxious to undergo dental treatment, pain-relief will mostly be temporary.

We offer two main sedation options at our practice.

  • Laughing Gas: Also known as nitrous oxide, laughing gas has been used for decades to provide non-invasive sedation that will leave you relaxed, and even giddy, for your procedure.
  • Oral Conscious Sedation: You take a pill before your appointment and enter a restful, twilight sleep that makes your procedure a breeze.

In addition to sedation, OnCall Dental in Hanford CA offers a comfortable, judgment-free atmosphere where you can share your dental concerns openly. Patients also come to us for tooth extractions and chipped tooth repair. Contact us today!

Contact OnCall Dental (Tap to open in Google Maps):

OnCall Dental – Hanford
114 W Ivy St
Hanford, CA 93230
559-584-8237

OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704
559-900-2332

Same Day Emergency Dentistry in Hanford

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Categories: Dental emergency, Emergency Dentist

The team at OnCall Dental in Hanford CA knows that life doesn’t stop for an emergency. Even during the most stressful situations, patients still have appointments, due dates, and a work schedule.

This is why we specialize in same-day emergency dentistry! Of course, not every situation can be dealt with quickly. Some problems, like gum disease and tooth loss, can take several visits. But a large majority, like cracked teeth, cavities, and minor oral pain, can be dealt with in just one.

In order to ensure this, we work with only the most advanced dental technology and prioritize patient communication. The last thing you need during this stressful time is muddied verbiage, jargon, and a cold, distant attitude.

Our relaxed atmosphere is the opposite of that, and we pride ourselves on keeping our patients calm and at-ease during their treatment. We even offer a host of sedation options, for those patients that simply cannot assuage their dental anxiety.

Dr. Mirelez has a long history with emergency dentistry and, in most cases, he can ensure that you will not have to wait to treat your pain or discomfort. If you’re used to emergency practices checking you in and making you sit in a small room for hours, then get ready for a change! Visit OnCall Dental in Hanford CA today and take control of your dental journey. Patients also come to us for general dentistry. Contact us today! Walk-ins are welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental (Tap to open in Google Maps):

OnCall Dental – Hanford
114 W Ivy St
Hanford, CA 93230
559-584-8237

OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704
559-900-2332

You Don’t Have to Dread Tooth Extractions in Hanford

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Categories: Emergency Dentist, Extractions

At OnCall Dental in Hanford CA, we want all our patients to come to us for their emergency dental needs. But we know that dental anxiety can play a large role in whether you prioritize your needs. Tooth extractions, especially, can have an undeserved reputation as a painful procedure.

How many times have you heard someone refer to a painful or uncomfortable situation as “pulling teeth?” At our practice, we want to reiterate: much like root canals, tooth extractions are no more traumatic or painful than most modern dentistry procedures.

The real potential for pain resides in not doing anything at all! If you have an abscessed molar, broken teeth, or a sports injury, an extraction might be absolutely necessary. If not properly assessed by a dental team, these conditions can create infections and affect your gum tissue, which can cause much more intense pain than a routine dental procedure.

OnCall Dental in Hanford CA specializes in extractions and other emergency dentistry procedures. Our focus on patient-centered care, stress-free atmosphere, and informative team are the perfect choice for any stressful emergency you might have. Patients also come to us for dental implants and toothache relief, and soothe their dental anxiety with our sedation dentistry options. Contact us today! Walk-ins are welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental (Tap to open in Google Maps):

OnCall Dental – Hanford
114 W Ivy St
Hanford, CA 93230
559-584-8237

OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704
559-900-2332

Wisdom Tooth Pain in Hanford

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Categories: Dental emergency, Extractions, Wisdom tooth

Patients who come to OnCall Dental in Hanford CA for dental emergencies will often mention that they have not had their wisdom teeth removed. While some are lucky enough to never feel any pain or discomfort from them, in most cases, wisdom teeth should be removed as early as possible.

But what if you missed the deadline? If your wisdom teeth have already erupted, they can cause misalignment in the rest of your smile. They are also more prone to bacteria, decay, and cavities than other, easier-to-clean teeth.

We know what you’re thinking: this sounds like a general dental problem, and not an emergency. But it can be! If a wisdom tooth suddenly starts causing intense pain, the only solution might be an extraction.

The pain will not subside, since there is probably decay and infection on the tooth, and it could even lead to severe problems like gum disease and tooth loss.

Sounds like an emergency to us!

Reasons You Might Need An Extraction

  • Tooth Decay: Since they’re so hard to reach with your toothbrush and floss, wisdom teeth often become major sites for plaque and bacteria. When a wisdom tooth has decayed, it can infect other teeth in the process, which is why we recommend an immediate extraction. This decay might be present even when you don’t feel any pain.
  • Overcrowding: When wisdom teeth burst through the gum-line, they will shove the rest of the teeth in order to make space. This can cause your teeth to crowd, which, in turn, robs your smile of aesthetic consistency and healthy structure. An extraction will help keep your smile straight, your jaw healthy, and your teeth pain-free.
  • Pain: If you feel any pain around your wisdom tooth, contact us immediately. It might be a sign that the decayed tooth has already started to infect the surrounding teeth and gum-line. If it feels like an emergency, it probably is an emergency, so don’t wait around for the pain to subside.

At OnCall Dental in Hanford CA, we want all our patients to enjoy good dental health. We provide emergency dental care and our team is ready to talk about extractions, cracked teeth, or any other emergency situations that might arise. Request an appointment today and give yourself the healthy, pain-free smile you deserve. Walk-ins are welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental (Tap to open in Google Maps):

OnCall Dental – Hanford
114 W Ivy St
Hanford, CA 93230
559-584-8237

OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704
559-900-2332