All About Toothaches

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Categories: Dental emergency, Tooth pain, Toothaches

Toothaches are one of the most common complaints we hear at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford. If you’re bothered with tooth pain, don’t hesitate: come into our office and we’ll get you fixed up.

We use the term “toothache” as if they are all the same. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth! A toothache may be anything from a dull ache to severe, throbbing pain. The pain may be persistent or it come and go. It may hurt when you bite or chew, or may result from something hot or cold.

Causes

Toothaches usually occur when there is inflammation in the tooth’s pulp. The pulp is soft tissue within the tooth. The inflammation may result from:

  • Cavities
  • Trauma
  • Infection
  • Gum disease
  • Jaw pain

Pain may also happen after a tooth is pulled. This is usually a side affect of the extraction, fades after a few days, and in the meantime can be controlled with medication.

Most dental problems can be prevented with daily brushing and flossing, and with regular cleanings and checkups.

Providing toothache relief is one of our most important duties at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford. We specialize in all types of emergency dentistry. 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

Can It Wait?

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Categories: Dental emergency, Emergency Dentist

In a previous post from OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford, we described some of the signs that a dental issue is a genuine dental emergency. In this post, we’ll do the opposite.

The main rule of thumb is this: can your problem wait a few days before you  need to see a dentist? If so, then the issue is probably not what we would consider an emergency in the usual sense of that word.

Emergency or No Emergency?

How do you know whether it can wait? Here’s an example of what we mean: say you have chipped or cracked one of your teeth. If there isn’t any pain, you should be okay waiting a few days before seeking treatment. To be safe, you should still give us a call and describe what’s going on. We can advise you accordingly and set up an appointment.

On the other hand, a chipped or cracked tooth may be painful. There may also be jagged edges that can hurt the inside of your mouth. In that case, it is an emergency. Call us, and we’ll prioritize your case.

Toothaches

A toothache is another example of an issue that might go either way. Again, if the symptoms aren’t severe you’re probably okay waiting a few days.

But the tooth may be abscessed, in which case there could be a lot of pain. There may also be swelling in the face, bumps on the gums, and even a high fever. That would be an emergency we would want to treat as soon as possible.

Bottom line? Never assume your issue is not an emergency, even if it seems like something minor. Call OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford and let us know what’s going on. We specialize in emergency dentistry. In serious cases no appointment is necessary. Walk-ins are always welcome!


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


OnCall Dental – Hanford

Dental Emergency Checklist

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Categories: Dental emergency, Emergency Dentist, Tooth pain

Nearly twenty-five percent of the American population has experienced serious dental pain within the last year. Many of them have sought emergency dental care, like what we provide at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford.

Dental emergencies, we can conclude from the above statistic, are more common than you might guess. That doesn’t mean that every toothache in the middle of the night is an emergency. If you are experiencing a potential emergency here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Is there severe pain? Severe pain is a big indicator. This is especially true if the pain results from an accident, and there is bleeding involved.
  • Are there loose teeth? We do not refer to an accident in this particular instance. We mean that permanent adult teeth should never be loose. If you have a loose adult tooth you should consider it a serious matter, even if it doesn’t hurt. Seek help right away.
  • Has a tooth been knocked out? A knocked-out tooth is one of the most serious dental emergencies there is. Prompt action is essential. If it is treated within an hour there is a good chance the tooth can be saved.
  • Is there an infection? You may not be able to diagnose an infection, but severe toothache pain is a strong indicator. It’s definitely an emergency. An infected tooth can be life-threatening and should be treated as soon as possible.

Any of the above should be considered a genuine dental emergency, and you shoud have it treated as soon as possible.

At OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford we say: it’s better to be safe than sorry. We specialize in emergency dentistry. In serious cases no appointment is necessary. Walk-ins are always welcome!


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


OnCall Dental – Hanford

Broken Tooth? Call Us!

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Categories: Broken tooth, Dental emergency, Emergency Dentist

The enamel covering your teeth is the strongest tissue in the body, but it isn’t indestructable. All it takes is an accidental fall, or biting down on something too hard, or some other mishap, and your tooth can break. If that happens to you it is a definite dental emergency, and you should contact us at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford.

The sooner you get here, the better. But if you can’t get here as fast as you would like to, there are a few things you can do first.

Pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers can take the edge off of any pain you’re experiencing. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be effective.

Rinse. Get a glass of warm salt water and rinse your mouth thoroughly.

Jagged edge? If the break has left a sharp or jagged tooth edge, cover it with a piece of sugarless gum, or a piece of wax paraffin. That will protect the inside of your cheeks and tongue.

Treatment

Once you settle into our chair we’ll assess the damage and determine the best way to fix it. Like procedures:

  • Bonding. Depending on the size of the break, we may be able to repair it with a composite resin that matches the color of your teeth.
  • Dental crown. The the remaining tooth under the break is decayed, it may be best to cover it with a crown. (The decay may have contributed to the break.)
  • Veneers. These are an option for front teeth. Veneers are thin porcelain shells that cover the front of a tooth; it will make the tooth look whole and healthy.

The important thing is to get the damage treated as soon as you can. Otherwise it could become further damaged or get infected.

In any dental emergency, contact OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford right away. We specialize in emergency dentistry. In serious cases no appointment is necessary. Walk-ins are always welcome!


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


OnCall Dental – Hanford

Three Common Dental Emergencies

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Categories: Dental emergency, Emergency Dentist

Accidents happen: we all know that. Sometimes accidents become an emergency, and at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford dental emergencies are our specialty. What are the most common dental emergencies?

Toothache

A toothache is by far the most common emergency we see. But not every toothache is an emergency; in fact most of them can be treated effectively at home, often with something as simple as an over-the-counter pain medication.

But sometimes toothaches are severe, and could be a sign of a serious condition like an infection. If your toothache is intolerable, give us a call.

Broken Tooth

A broken tooth may be painful. You should come see us right away, but for the short term you can rinse your mouth out with warm water and use an ice pack to keep the swelling down. Depending on how bad it is, we may be able to fix it with bonding or may need to do a root canal.

Knocked Out Tooth

A knocked out tooth is one of the most serious dental emergencies there is, and should be treated as soon as possible. If you can recover the tooth, keep it moist and bring it with you to our office. Do not touch the root. If you are treated with a half our or so the chances are good the tooth can be saved.

If you have the slightest concern that your situation is an emergency, take no chances. Call us right away. At OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford we specialize in emergency dentistry, including toothache relief. In serious cases no appointment is necessary. Walk-ins are always welcome!


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


OnCall Dental – Hanford

Signs You Have a Dental Emergency

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Categories: Dental emergency, Emergency Dentist

Do you have any tooth pain? How bad is it? For that matter, how bad is bad? It can be hard to tell when you cross that invisible line from minor tooth pain to genuine emergency. In this post from OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford we’ll review the signs that you need emergency dental care.

  • Severe toothache. Everyone gets a toothache now and then. A minor toothache can be treated at home with an over-the-counter pain medicine. If your toothache is severe and/or persistent, it’s probably time to give us a call so we can take a look at what’s going on.
  • Bleeding gums. A little bleeding if you floss too hard is one thing. It tells you: don’t floss so hard! But bleeding gums are not normal and may be a sign of early gum disease. If it happens often and is excessive, consider that a red flag.
  • Loose tooth. Loose teeth should not happen in adults. One or more loose adult teeth could indicate one of several things. It might be gum disease, or it may be the result of an injury or accident. Either way it should be looked at as soon as possible.
  • Abscessed tooth. An abscessed tooth is a severely infected tooth, and will likely be very painful. It is also serious, and may indicate a toothache that has become worse. It may also be a sign of gum disease or the result of a trauma. Immediate treatment is in order.

Any of these symptoms are telling you something is wrong, and that it should be looked at without delay. At OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford we specialize in emergency dentistry, including toothache relief. In serious cases 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

When Is A Toothache An Emergency?

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Categories: Dental emergency, Tooth pain, Toothaches

There can be a fine line between an ordinary toothache you can treat with one home remedy or another, and a toothache that needs the attention of a dentist. If your toothache crosses that fine line, remember us at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford.

Knowing when your toothache is not an emergency can save you money, as well as an unplanned trip to the dentist. But deciding to ride out the ache may lead to a bigger dental problem. Pain, after all, is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong.

Toothaches are caused by various dental problems. A small one is usually no big deal, and may be related to something like a sinus infection. Possible causes include:

  • Tooth decay. This is probably the single most common cause of a toothache. If you have pain when you bite or chew, or from hot or cold food and beverages, it could be a cavity.
  • Wisdom teeth. With most people, wisdom teeth come in during the late teens or early twenties. If they don’t, and stay beneath the gumline, they can press against other teeth and cause pain.
  • Abscessed tooth. An abscessed tooth is infected and should be seen right away. These can be extremely painful and leave a bad taste in the mouth. An abscessed tooth is a clear dental emergency.

Providing toothache relief is one of our most important duties at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford. We specialize in all types of emergency dentistry. 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

Something stuck? Try this!

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Categories: Dental emergency

Getting something stuck between your teeth is one of the most annoying sensations there is. If it’s stuck so bad you can’t dislodge it, you may even be looking at a dental emergency. If that happens, remember us at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford.

Popcorn kernels may be the single-most common thing people get wedged in between their teeth, but they aren’t the only thing. Other culprits include seeds, and gristly tissue from meats or chicken.

Whatever it is that gets stuck, it can drive you nuts. There are some tried-and-true methods of dislodging even the most stubborn food particles.

  • Water rinse. This is the first thing you should try, and it can be very effective. The key is to rinse vigorously. Use lukewarm salt water and keep at it. Repeated rinsing may soften and finally dislodge whatever is stuck.
  • Tongue or finger. You may have used your tongue as soon as you noticed  it; this is a common human reaction. Adding a little sucking motion can help. If you have a long fingernail, try using it to pull the object from between your teeth. Wash your hands, before and after!
  • Dental floss. This is another excellent solution. Use string floss as you ordinarily would. This may loosen it enough so you can finally get it out with your tongue. If normal flassing doesn’t work, tie a knot into it for extra thickness.

One word of caution: never, repeat never, use a toothpick or other sharp object to try getting something loose. You could accidentally hurt your gums.

If all else fails, remember us at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford. We specialize in emergency dentistry and have removed a lot of stuck objects from between a lot of teeth. In serious cases sedation is always an option. 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

Immediate Attention?

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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

Chipped Tooth? Take No Chances!

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Categories: Chipped tooth, Dental emergency

A chipped tooth may not cause you any pain, and may not even seem like much of an emergency. If there is no pain, that’s good. But you should call us at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford, so we can take a look at it and talk about repairs.

It’s so easy to chip a tooth! You might bite down on something too hard, like a cherry pit or ice. Or it could happen in a household accident. Only a dentist can tell how severe it is. If there’s enough damage to expose the pulp, there is a risk of infection.

Options

There are several things we can do to fix a chipped tooth.

  • Bonding. One of the quickest ways to fix a chipped tooth is with bonding. A composite material is placed to the crack and shaped to match the original. We can match the color, too. If you have the chipped-off part of the tooth and it’s in good enough condition, bonding also allows us to re-attach it.
  • Porcelain veneers. Another option is to hide the chip with a porcelain veneers. Veneers are thin ceramic shells that are custom-made to fit onto the front of a tooth.
  • Dental crowns. For severe chips, a dental crown may be in order. This is a way to completely cover the chip or break and protect what remains.

At OnCall Dental we specialize in emergency dentistry and have a lot of experience fixing chipped teeth. Remember that in an emergency you do not need an appointment. We have offices in Fresno and Hanford, where walk-ins are always welcome!


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


OnCall Dental – Hanford