If you are experiencing any type of oral injury while normal dentist office hours are closed, you are encouraged to dial 911 or visit an emergency center for immediate attention. Blood loss and severe pains require immediate action as the problem may worsen, which is why you shouldn't wait to visit a dentist. In other cases, an emergency dentist appointment is appropriate for individuals who are under pain, but a pain that is not severe enough to enter a hospital emergency room. An emergency dentist appointment can take place on the same day that attention is required or within 24 hours.
The Downey Dentist understands that emergencies require immediate action to prevent any further damage to the teeth or gums. Our highly trained dentists are here to provide the support when you need it the most. We understand that an emergency occurs unexpectedly which is why we invite you to come to our office whenever an oral emergency does occur. In addition, you are encouraged to call our office so that our dentists are prepared when you arrive. Our office offers free emergency exams and digital x-rays in order to fully understand the gravity of the situation and take the correct procedures to address the problem. Our specialized staff will make sure that your problem is treated as soon as possible, working around your schedule to ensure you are back in working conditions as soon as possible.
A need for an emergency dentist can occur at any moment and at any time during the day. Emergencies can include breaking a tooth, losing a crown, losing a dental bridge, severe toothache, oral bleeding that may require stitches and other issues that pertain to the health of the teeth and gums. We understand that waiting for an appointment is sometimes not an option which is why we try our best to address your situation as effectively and efficiently as possible. When you visit our office, our highly trained staff will make sure to accommodate and make you feel as though you are at home. Our emergency staff is ready to assist with your situation with digital x-rays that allow us to see the internal damage. To effectively address your problem, we attempt to provide immediate details about your situation and possible solutions so that will allow you to make the most informed decision about your case. Our staff will guide you through the entire procedure and will make the process as comfortable as possible. We understand the stress that an accident brings which is why we attempt to make the repair process as smooth as we can, we don’t want to stress you out more than you are. Our trained staff is a phone call away, if you are experiencing an emergency you may contact us today at 562-746-0350.
The following section will describe common issues that may occur in a split second and may require the attention of a dentist. When an emergency occurs, let us know right away so we can diagnose the problem and provide an immediate solution. We make sure that every emergency is treated as soon as possible in order to keep the issue from becoming much worse. To learn more about emergencies and the procedure (solutions) that may apply to your situation, you may read on or you may contact our office today.
I Broke a Tooth
It is never good when a tooth breaks. First and foremost, it becomes difficult to eat the delicious foods we consume every day. Foods can include tacos, burgers, pizza, steak, and all other foods that require some chewing. Additionally, a broken tooth may affect our appearance as it will have a huge impact on our smile. Teeth play a big role in our everyday life, a broken tooth is an emergency that requires prompt attention.
There are two main reasons that a tooth breaks. In one case, a tooth may be broken when enough force is applied to the surface area of the teeth. For instance, if you are hit in the face with a ball or you happen to be in a fist fight, then you may risk losing a tooth. When a tooth is broken in this manner, there may be damages to the surrounding gum areas. In addition, there may be bleeding coming from the lips. Teeth that are broken due to force, require the attention of an emergency dentist that is capable of evaluating the situation. In some cases, when a tooth is slightly broken or chipped, it may be repaired with a filling or a crown. A filling is not as durable as a crown and may experience decay due to the types of foods you consume. A crown may offer a more stable and permanent option for teeth that have been broken. A crown and filling can help prevent bacteria and food buildup which may lead to tooth decay. In other cases, the damage to the tooth may have caused irreparable damage to the whole tooth. When too much is broken off a tooth, it may not be an option to keep the tooth. Teeth that are severely damaged may be removed to avoid future complications or to avoid an additional trip to the dentist later on. Teeth that require removal create a gap, fortunately, there are a couple of options to treat a gap.
On the other hand, a tooth may be broken due to tooth decay. When we fail to practice daily cleaning habits, we fail to remove the plaque that naturally forms on our teeth and gums. Plaque can weaken the enamel and can cause severe irreparable damage to the gums. One of the first signs of tooth decay is the formation of tartar. Tartar along with plaque produce acids from the sugars found in foods and may create a cavity otherwise known as an opening to the softer portion of the tooth. A cavity, when left untreated, can cause serious damage to the strength of the tooth. A cavity that affects the inner parts of the tooth weaken the overall structure of the tooth which is why the tooth becomes fragile and more prone to chipping or breaking. When a cavity is caught before causing too much damage to the root of the tooth, the tooth may be saved through a root canal procedure. After a root canal procedure, the tooth will be capped with a crown to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the mouth.
To treat a gap, a patient may consider a dental implant or a crown and bridge. Both procedures require consideration and examination to ensure the success of the procedure. A dental implant is a good option for individuals with healthy gums and strong bones. If you are able to undergo a dental implant treatment, you will find that the procedure is painless and you will be backing to smiling in no time. A dental implant is placed in the gap and will consist of the implant, the abutment (the piece that holds the implant and the crown together), and the crown. The crown will imitate all the functions of your tooth while the implant will act as the root of the tooth providing more stability than a bridge. The implant will undergo a process known as osseointegration where the implant fuses together with the bone structure in the same way as the root of the tooth.
Furthermore, a gap may be treated with a crown and bridge. For a bridge procedure, there needs to be at least one adjacent tooth that can work as an anchor. The anchor tooth will be filed down to make room for a crown which is attached to the fake tooth otherwise known as the pontic. The pontic can be made from a variety of materials including metals, ceramics, or porcelain. Metals provide a strong structure, however, many choose a ceramic or porcelain crown to match the color of the other teeth. To learn about the different types of materials used, you may discuss your interests with a dentist.
Toothache
A toothache is something that you should never force yourself to sleep through. When your tooth is aching it is advised to take immediate action by visiting a local dentist. The Downey Dentist will provide a free examination and digital x-rays. By looking at the tooth and dentures as a whole, a dentist is able to pinpoint the root cause of the problem. More common than not, you may be experiencing dental pain due to a cavity. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that about 90 percent of adults over the age of thirty have a cavity. Additionally, about twenty-five percent of individuals above the age of thirty have a cavity that is left untreated. During the early stages of a cavity, a dentist will be able to save the tooth. Usually, the bacteria will be removed using a drill and the opening will be closed with a dental filling or a crown depending on the size of the gap.
In cases where the cavity is allowed to grow, a patient may be experiencing dental pain when the pulp (the center of the tooth) is infected. When a cavity is left untreated, the bacteria will break through the dentin (the middle part of the tooth) all the way through the pulp. When the pulp is infected it needs to be cleaned out through a root canal procedure. A root canal procedure will create a large opening on the tooth which means a crown may be required.
A toothache is not normal. When a tooth is aching, it can be a sign of bacterial infection or it may be a sign of a cavity. A tooth that is weakened by plaque will feel sensitive to temperatures or may feel pain every time pressure is placed. An aching tooth may require a root canal treatment to remove the infected area of the tooth. In other cases, a tooth may need to be removed before it infects and causes damage to other parts of the mouth. If your tooth is aching it means something is wrong and it is advised to visit a local dentist to learn more about the pain and of ways that you can address the problem.
Gum Infection
Regular oral hygiene prevents plaque from attacking our teeth and the surrounding gum area. By removing food particles and bacteria from our mouth we prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Gum disease is a serious health concern that can lead to the weakening of the teeth, the swelling of the gums, and bad breath. Gum disease has three different stages: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. During the early stages of gum disease, the gums will experience some form of irritation and will appear red and swollen. During these stages, it is crucial to visit a dentist that can provide the correct measures to address the problem A dentist can help remove the bacteria and build-up that is causing harm to your gums. When left untreated, the gums will be more prone to bleeding. Periodontitis is an infection of the gums that causes gum recession and bone loss. Gum recession and bone loss will have lasting impacts on your overall health and daily life.
A person with advanced periodontitis may require reconstructive surgery to either add to the existing gum or to add bone to the areas in the jaw that have experienced bone loss. No matter what stage of gum disease you find yourself, it is never too late to visit a dentist and put a stop to the gum infection. To prevent gum infection, it is advised to avoid sugary foods, maintain a regular cleaning habit, and visit a dentist as often as needed.
If you happen to be in Southern California, we invite you to visit our office in Downey, CA. We are ready to provide a free examination and x-rays to all new and returning patients. We make sure that every patient is well informed of their situation so that they make an informed decision about their oral health. The Downey Dentist understand that an emergency is a pressing matter, if you are experiencing a dental emergency, you may contact us today at 562-746-0350 for immediate attention.
We have other convenient locations near you: Los Angeles Dentist, Lomita Dentist, Carson Dentist, Hawthorne Dentist
