Emergency Dentist

At OnCall Dental in Fresno we treat all manner of dental emergencies. While there are things you can do yourself before being treated, remember that in most cases it is better to have us look at what’s going on to determine whether further treatment is needed.

Common dental emergencies include the following:

• Severe toothache. Nothing will get your attention quite the way a bad toothache will. It could be an indication of a more serious problem, like an abscess or an infection. In the short term over-the-counter pain relievers and a cold compress can help,  but make come see us, too.
• Broken or chipped tooth. There may or may not be any pain from a broken or chipped tooth. Either way, let us take a look at it. Swish some water around your mouth to keep it clean, and brush if it isn’t painful.
• Knocked out tooth. This is one of the most serious dental emergencies there is, and immediate treatment is needed. If we can treat you within an hour there is a very good chance the tooth can be saved. Bring the tooth with you (never touch the root) and keep it moist.
• Something stuck between your teeth. Never use sharp objects to try to dislodge something stuck between your teeth, not even a toothpick! Try dental floss, and if that doesn’t work tie a small knot into it. If that doesn’t work, call us for an appointment.

At OnCall Dental in Fresno emergency dental care is our specialty, including toothache relief. Walk-ins are always welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental – Fresno: 599-477-4553

There are no precise figures, but it has been estimated that every single year, three million kids have one or more of their teeth knocked out while playing sports. Some of them end up at OnCall Dental in Fresno for emergency treatment.

Most kids love playing sports, and that’s a good thing: it gets them lots of exercise, teaches the importance of teams, fair play, and plenty of other life lessons. But there are risks involved, and parents have to take every possible precaution.

Wearing a mouthguard when playing sports is just as important as helmets, knee pads, and other protective gear. Even so-called non-contact sports like basketball can get pretty rough; all it takes is an accidental elbow to the jaw to knock out a tooth.

A mouthguard can prevent that. The American Dental Association says that wearing mouthguards prevent more than two hundred thousand mouth injuries every single year! That includes keeping teeth from being chipped, cracked, or knocked out.

Mouthgaurds range from the inexpensive boil-and-bite variety available at any sporting goods store to higher-end, custom mouthguards. Ask us for a recommendation.

At OnCall Dental in Fresno we think any youngster who plays sports should wear a mouthguard, even pick-up games on the local playground. Better to be safe than sorry! We specialize in emergency dental care, and we’re here if you need us. Walk-ins are always welcome. But with a little precaution, your youngster will be safe on the playing field!

Contact OnCall Dental – Fresno: 599-477-4553

Ever get something stuck between your teeth? Of course you have. At best, something stuck between your teeth is  bothersome, especially if it takes a long time to remove it. At worst it is painful, and an emergency requiring professional attention, like what we provide at OnCall Dental in Fresno.

Some people have narrow and tight spaces between their teeth. They seem more susceptible to getting things wedged in there. It can cause pressure and discomfort, and even pain.

Before you head to our office there are some things you can try at home to dislodge what you have stuck between your teeth.

Tips

The first tip we have is what not to do. It may be tempting, and it may even seem like it would work. But never use a sharp object to try to pry out something stuck between your teeth. Repeat, never. That includes toothpicks. You run the risk of damaging your gums, or even your teeth.

Here is what you should try:

• Rinse your mouth out vigorously. Use lukewarm saltwater. You may need to repeat several times, but this is often enough to loosen whatever is stuck.
• Dental floss. Dental floss, especially waxed, is excellent for getting things from between teeth. Waxed floss slides easily into tight spaces. If it won’t go in, do not force it. Floss picks with tight strands of floss are useful. Also useful is tying a tiny knot into the floss, to snag the object and free it. But again, never force things.

If these methods don’t work, give us a call. At OnCall Dental in Fresno we have the tools and skills to help you out. We specialize in emergency dental care, and have dislodged a lot of stuff from the teeth of our patients. Walk-ins are always welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental – Fresno: 599-477-4553

There is no such thing as a dental problem that gets better on its own. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t work that way. But some problems are more serious than others, and demand the sort of immediate attention available at OnCall Dental in Fresno.

How do you know whether your dental issue is an emergency, or something that can wait? Our short answer is that it is always better to err on the side of caution. More to the point: there are certain problems that should never wait.

• Pain When Chewing. If the simple act of eating is painful, that is a big red flag. There are different reasons why chewing can be painful. It may be a crack in a tooth, or similar damage, or it might be a problem with gums or tooth enamel. Whatever it is, don’t delay: come see us as soon as possible.
• Swollen Jaw. Swelling is a big tip-off that could be a serious infection, also known as an abscess. There will likely be sensitivity in the teeth, or even a fever or bad taste in your mouth. An abscess is serious. Not only will it not get better without treatment, it could spread to other parts of the body.
• Bleeding Gums. This may indicate gingivitis, which is early stage gum disease. It isn’t necessarily an emergency, though you should never put off seeking treatment. On the plus side, gingivitis is easy to treat. On the negative, gum disease is progressive, so it will probably get worse without professional care.
• Chipped, broken, or knocked out tooth. All it takes is a careless moment on the playing field, or even at home, to damage your teeth. A knocked out tooth is easily the most serious of these conditions. If it happens to you, make a beeline to our office. Keep the tooth moist. When treated promptly – an hour or less – the tooth might be saved. Chipped or broken teeth can be treated with bonding.

If you suspect a serious dental problem, time is of the essence. The sooner you see us at OnCall Dental in Fresno, the better. We specialize in emergency dentistry and offer dental implants and other services.  Walk-ins are always welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental – Fresno: 599-477-4553

Getting something lodged between your teeth can be really uncomfortable, even painful. It can drive you nuts, too. There are things you can do at home to dislodge something that’s stuck, but if it’s really wedged in there, your best bet is coming in to OnCall Dental in Fresno.

Before we give you some tips on what to do at home, here is a warning about what not to do: don’t use a toothpick, or any other pointed tool you might find in the junk drawer. A toothpick could easily crack while you dig with it, and leave a splinter. You’ll end up worse than when you started. And if you try some other pointed tool, you risk accidentally stabbing your gums.

So, that’s what not to try. What should you try?

• Interdental picks. Not to be confused with a toothpick! These handy devices are available at any grocery or drugstore. They are soft and flexible, taper to a point, and are rigid enough to dislodge most stuck objects.

• Dental floss. Floss is also a good bet. Waxed floss, in particular, is good for slipping into tight places to remove popcorn kernels or other stuck debris. It may help to tie a knot or two into the floss, and pull it through your teeth from the inside out.

• Your toothbrush. The bristles of your toothbrush may be enough to push out whatever it is you have stuck between your teeth. (Use a soft bristled toothbrush for this, and for all of your brushing.)
• Water flossers. A good blast of water may be just what you need. Water flossers emit pulsing jets of water that you can direct right at the stuck object.
• Rinse. You may not have a water flosser. Rinsing your mouth out is probably not as effective, but certainly worth a shot. Use as much force as you can, for at least thirty seconds.

The most sure-fire method is to come in to OnCall Dental in Fresno. We have lots of experience with things stuck between teeth, and other dental emergencies. Walk-ins are always welcome: you don’t need an appointment!

Dental emergencies can be scary, but take it from the team at OnCall Dental in Fresno: when one happens, the best thing you can do is stay calm. Stay calm, and get on over to our office.

There are many different situations that qualify as a dental emergency. Here are a few of them:

• Toothache
• Chipped or broken tooth
• Crack tooth
• Tooth knocked out
• Something lodged between your teeth

When it comes to toothaches, you should never ignore one. A toothache is your body telling you that something is wrong. An accurate diagnosis is the best way to identify the problem and treat it.

If you have a chipped or broken tooth, we an usually reattach the broken part. Even if it’s lost, we can repair it with dental bonding.

A cracked tooth may be a more serious issue, since it might involved nerve damage. We will diagnose the extent of the damage and repair it.

Knocked out teeth are also serious. If you have recovered the tooth, keep it moist (placing it back in the socket is best) and head straight to our office. If it’s treated within an hour, chances are good the tooth can be saved.

Something stuck between teeth. You can try to dislodge it with dental floss. It can help to tie knots in the floss. Even if you get it out, come see us so we can assess the damage.

These are only a few of the dental emergencies we treat. Remember, it’s important to stay calm. At OnCall Dental in Fresno, walk-ins are always welcome.