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At OnCall Dental in Fresno CA, we know that it can sometimes be hard to discern what is or isn’t an emergency. As we’ve said on our blog before (and as we’ll probably say again), if it feels like an emergency, then we encourage our patients to treat it as one. Your body knows more than it lets on; if it is sending you signals of discomfort, pain, stress, anxiety, or weakness, then you should listen.

A lot of emergencies can start out as seemingly minor nuisances. A swollen gum that you think is simply caused by food debris can actually be indicative of gum disease, for example. For this reason, and 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 is a big one, particularly because it happens so often. If you notice blood in the sink after flossing or brushing, it could be minor; but it could also be a sign of gum disease or impending tooth loss! In order to tell, floss and brush your teeth more regularly for a period of a few weeks. Make sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush. The bleeding should stop with constant care. If it doesn’t, it’s time to schedule an appointment!
2. Tooth Pain: Though it can be indicative of a simple cavity, tooth pain could also be a sign that you have an abscessed tooth or a major oral infection. Either of these could cause greater problems down the line, including 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.
3. Chipped Teeth: It might seem like a slightly chipped or cracked tooth would be strictly a cosmetic problem, but sharp, brittle surfaces can be harder to clean than smooth, rounded out teeth. Additionally, it can be easier for food debris to get stuck in the cracks and jagged edges of an incomplete tooth, which can precipitate cavities and other problems.
4. Bad Breath: We know what you’re thinking. How could bad breath possible be an emergency? 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.
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 Fresno 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 – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704
559-900-2332

Tooth loss is normal in children. But when, as adults, a tooth gets loose or knocked out, it can be concerning. And it definitely constitutes a dental emergency! Luckily, there’s no need to panic. OnCall Dental in Fresno CA can help.

By acting quickly you have a high chance of being able to save the tooth for reinsertion. If you can locate the tooth, immediately place it in a cup of milk to keep it moist. This helps maintain whatever calcium and healthy enamel may have survived in the tooth after the injury.

To manage the pain, use a cold or hot compress on your cheek, but do not place anything near the gum itself. This could cause further problems. Once you arrive, we will assess the damage and the possibility of reinsertion. If it is possible to retain your original tooth, the procedure is fairly straightforward.

But what we can’t save your natural tooth? Dental implants offer state-of-the-art tooth restoration. We are happy to sit with you and recommend restorative dentistry solutions that are so lifelike, nobody will even know you’ve had work done.

Either way, there’s no unsolvable dental dilemma! The first step is to get in your car and hurry on over. OnCall Dental in Fresno CA has the tools and expertise needed to help you deal with your dental trauma, as well as any other emergency that might come your way. Walk-ins are always welcome! Contact us today!

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

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

A knocked out tooth is technically called an “avulsed” tooth, and when it comes to dental emergencies it’s about as serious as it gets. If it happens to you, get to OnCall Dental in Fresno as soon as you possibly can.

When a tooth is literally knocked out – not chipped or cracked, but actually knocked from the jaw – its nerves, blood vessels and supporting tissue is also damaged. Unfortunately it cannot be repaired. But it can be reinserted into the jaw, and if it is treated promptly there is an excellent chance it can be saved.

Use Caution!

A knocked out tooth must be treated with great care. Only touch it by the crown (the biting and chewing part). It’s okay to rinse it off with milk or water, but to prevent further damage do not scrub it or wipe it off.

Your priority should be getting treatment, but as you head to the office keep the tooth moist. This is really important. Put it in some milk if you can. Otherwise it’s okay to place it in your mouth between the cheek and gum. Do not try to force it back into the socket.

We will do our best to reinsert the tooth. Chances are best when it is treated within an hour. The tooth will require a root canal, and we may want to do it right away. Every case is different.

At OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford we have treated many knocked out teeth, and other dental emergencies. We can also do root canals. In an emergency no appointment is needed. Walk-ins are always welcome!

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

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

Dental emergencies are more common than you might think. According to one study, about twenty-two percent of people had serious dental pain over a single six month period. At OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford, we’re here for you in an emergency.

But how do you know whether you have a genuine dental emergency? Here are some guidelines to remember:

• Is there any bleeding? This is probably a dental emergency, especially if you are unable to stop it.
• Is there serious pain? Severe pain is a big indicator of a dental emergency, especially if there is bleeding.
• Are there any loose teeth? Even if it doesn’t hurt, there should never be any loose adult teeth. No doubt about it: loose teeth are a dental emergency.
• Is there a tooth knocked out? If you have have had a tooth knocked out, it is definitely an emergency requiring fast action. If treated promptly it’s possible the tooth can be reimplanted and saved.
• Is there an infection? An abscess or serious infection in a tooth is not only painful, it can be life-threatening if left untreated.

Generally speaking, if you have a dental issue that needs professional attention in order to stop bleeding, save a tooth, or relieve severe pain, you have a dental emergency.

Immediate Attention?

Some dental problems do not require immediate attention. These include:

• Chipped or cracked tooth. If there is no pain, you can wait before seeing a dentist. (Don’t wait more than a day or so.)
• Toothache. If the pain is not severe it probably is not an emergency. Severe pain could mean an abscess, the signs of which include throbbing pain, swelling, sensitivity to temperature or touch, and a fever. (These are indicators of an emergency.)
• Lost crown or filling. These can be serious, but not urgent. Call us, but it’s probably okay to wait a day or so.

At OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford we specialize in emergency dentistry and have experience with everything from toothaches to knocked out teeth. Remember that in an emergency you do not need an appointment. Walk-ins are always welcome!

OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704

OnCall Dental – Hanford

Teeth can be knocked out in many different ways: an accidental elbow to the mouth, a fistfight, or a fall at home are among the more common causes. However it happens, a knocked out tooth is a dental emergency, and you should go directly to OnCall Dental in Fresno for treatment.

When a tooth is knocked out, time is of the essence. If it can be treated within an hour or so, the chances of saving the tooth are very good.

That depends, of course, on the condition of the tooth, and the condition of the patient’s jaw. The most important thing is to keep the tooth moist. A common piece of advice is to place it in some milk. But a carton of milk isn’t always going to be available.

It’s just as effective to put the tooth into some kind of protective container, and spit on it. A cup or a baggie will do just fine. Handle the tooth with care, and do not touch the root. If there are tooth fragments, gather them up.

If the tooth is intact and moist, and if you get to OnCall Dental quickly, there’s a good chance it can be saved. While walk-ins are always welcome, it’s a good idea to phone ahead so we can be ready for your arrival.

Once you’re in the chair, a dentist will clean out any debris from the socket and then try to place the tooth back in it. If the tooth is intact then the chances of success are good. There are no guarantees, of course: positioning it correctly can be difficult. But sometimes it can be a straightforward process.

There are no two ways about it: a knocked out tooth is a genuine dental emergency. At OnCall Dental in Fresno, emergency dentistry is our specialty, as are dental implants. No appointment is necessary.

Not all foods are created equal, and some have greater tendency than others to get stuck between your teeth. Is there a better example than popcorn? When you get food stuck between teeth, there are some things you should definitely not do, and some things you can do, up to and including seeing us at OnCall Dental in Fresno.

First things first: never, repeat never, use metal tools to get something, food or otherwise, that is wedged between your teeth. It might seem like a good idea. Something like, say, a pocketknife is thin, rigid, and with a pointed end. But you run a huge risk of scraping tooth enamel, or damaging your gums, or both.

Your best bet is to try getting the object unstuck with your tongue. Even then, take care. If it doesn’t come out right away, stop. A better trick is to swish a little water around in your mouth to try loosening it.

Another trick you can try involves a toothpick. Carefully place a toothpick between the two teeth where the piece of food is stuck. Gently push it in enough so that it stayed in place, and then wait for a few minutes. The teeth should move, ever so slightly. Give the toothpick one more little nudge. Then remove the toothpick and try dental floss.

But it bears repeating: do not use any metal tools. And while we’re at it, don’t use force, either. Better to make a beeline to OnCall Dental in Fresno. You don’t need an appointment; walk-ins are always welcome. We provide emergency dental care, including toothache relief.

When you have a bad toothache, there’s no time to lose. Getting the care of a dentist as soon as possible is your number one priority. That makes OnCall Dental in Fresno an invaluable service.

Tooth pain may be sharp, throbbing, or constant, or it may only happen when there is pressure applied, like when you chew your food. It may include swelling around the tooth, or even in your face, and may even be accompanied by a fever or a headache. When it gets that bad, don’t delay: get help as soon as possible.

A toothache is your body telling you that there’s a problem. The most common cause of a toothache is a cavity. If that’s the case, then we’ll fill it right away. If it’s a really bad cavity, we may have to extract it.

If the tooth is infected, it may be necessary to do a root canal. If that is the only option, don’t worry: root canals relieve pain, they don’t cause it. We’ll numb the infected area before beginning, and if necessary, we’ll provide sedation.

Whatever it is that’s causing your toothache, we’ll identify it and treat it accordingly. It may be after hours for other practices, but OnCall Dental in Fresno is there to treat you. You can call ahead if you want to, but walk-ins are always welcome.

Contact OnCall Dental – Fresno: 599-477-4553

It’s a fact of life: weekends are always too short. Too short, that is, unless you have a dental emergency, like a toothache on Saturday morning, and you’re facing the prospect of waiting until Monday when the dentist office opens.

When that happens, that short weekend suddenly seems a lot longer.

There is no substitute for sitting down in the dentist’s chair. But for that weekend toothache, check you medicine chest to see if you’ve got any over-the-counter analgesics like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These do a good job of dulling the pain, in the short term.

Another short-term fix might sound a little odd, but it’s been known to work. Slip a whole clove in your cheek alongside the aching tooth. The clove oil helps the nerve to settle down.

Of course, there is always the ice pack treatment. Wrap some ice in a cloth towel and hold it to the side of your face.

But that toothache could indicate a serious issue requiring immediate attention. And there’s no reason to put up with tooth pain, no matter what day it is.

Apply that ice pack, then reach out to OnCall Dental – Fresno. We provide emergency dental care to people in the Fresno area. You don’t even need to call ahead of time: no appointments are necessary and walk-ins are always welcome.

Contact OnCall Dental – Fresno: 599-477-4553

If you have experienced a recent injury to your mouth or teeth, don’t wait to call a dentist. Our practice offers a range of emergency dentistry services. We also provide dental implants, dental crowns, and a range of restorative dental care services, including root canal therapy. Many of our patients experience dental anxiety but are able to stay calm through our sedation dentistry procedures. At ONCallDental – Fresno, our staff remains committed to your lifelong dental health. Don’t hesitate to give us a call at 559-900-2332 to schedule an appointment.

If your tooth has been knocked out, make sure you hold onto the missing tooth. Put it in a glass of milk and bring it with you when you come in for your appointment. Losing a tooth suddenly can be scary, but we’ll help keep you calm. If we can’t save your original tooth, we’ll discuss dental implants and other cosmetic dentistry options. If you get into an accident and crack your tooth in half, we can fix that too.

Contact OnCall Dental – Fresno: 599-477-4553