Ask the Encinitas Dentist: What To Do If You Sustain Dental Trauma

This article explores all the various measures one should take in the event of a dental emergency involving chipped, broken, cracked or displaced teeth as well as bleeding from the soft tissue.

The Encinitas Dentist: About Accidental Trauma

There are two things that are a sure bet when it comes to accidents and the Encinitas dentist knows that with accidents: (1) they are never planned and (2) they can cause some pretty nasty damage to your teeth and gums and even the underlying jaw bone. You may have witnessed an accident that involved someone receiving a hockey puck in the mouth, or some kid’s unfortunate dad getting hit in the mouth with the play swing. You yourself may even have a few gruesome stories of your own to tell, which could involve something as serious as a car accident or something as silly as slipping on a banana peel and careening face-first into a Stop sign. Regardless of the cause and the severity of the damage, accidental trauma received to the face and mouth is never pleasant, always painful and deserves the immediate attention of the Encinitas dentist. In order to leave you better informed about handling certain dental emergencies, here is a list of the various things the Encinitas dentist has seen and what you – as the victim, or the victim’s friend/family member/acquaintance - should do about it.

The Things the Encinitas Dentist has Seen

A Chipped Tooth ~ Teeth can quite easily become chipped, especially if you are an adrenalin junkie with a penchant for gobstoppers. If the chip is small and doesn’t hurt, it’s up to you to decide whether you want a cosmetic restoration (porcelain veneer, ceramic crown, etc.) placed by the Encinitas dentist.

A Broken or Cracked Tooth ~ The Encinitas dentist will want to repair a broken or cracked tooth not only because of the pain the exposed nerves in the root and pulp can cause, but because of the risk of infection caused by food and bacteria getting into the vital regions of the tooth. The Encinitas dentist may opt to place a ceramic crown, perform root canal therapy or even extract the tooth if it is damaged beyond repair.

Bleeding ~ Bleeding frequently accompanies any kind of dental trauma, even if you haven’t managed to crack or chip any of your pearly whites. Before you visit the Encinitas dentist, you should rinse your mouth out with warm, salty water to help clean the torn tissue and then apply an ice pack to the region of the cheek directly outside the wound. This will help to slow the bleeding and reduce swelling. If the bleeding does not stop, then go straight to your Encinitas dentist; you may require sutures.

Knocked-out Tooth ~ If a tooth has become completely displaced, then you mustn’t wait even a day to see the Encinitas dentist. Your exposed tooth socket will be very vulnerable to infection and because of the loss of support; the adjacent teeth will become unstable and start to shift. You will probably require a dental implant.

The Encinitas Dentist: Your Golden Rule

As it was previously stated, no matter what the cause of the damage and the severity of it, the golden rule to apply to any dental emergency is to immediately seek the attention of the Encinitas dentist. Only this healthcare professional will be able to properly assess the extent of the damage done and whether any measures need to be taken to prevent more serious problems, such as infection and decay, from developing.

The Dental Emergency in Encinitas: Dealing with Tooth Pain and Sensitivity

This article explains how tooth pain and sensitivity is usually indicative of underlying causes that could potentially become aggravated if left untreated. It is for this reason that any kind of tooth pain is regarded as a dental emergency.

The Dental Emergency in Encinitas: Introduction

If you, a friend or a family member were to have a dental emergency in Encinitas, would you know what to do? Would you know who to call? Growing up in school, we are taught the bare essentials of what do in medical emergencies. Most of us could probably administer the Heimlich maneuver or CPR (although the skill to which we deliver these potentially life-saving endeavors will hopefully remain untested), but if asked what to do in the case of a dental emergency in Encinitas, the response you’re most likely to give is a head scratch and a raised eyebrow! “What is that exactly?” Well, we can assure you that it has nothing to do with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. A dental emergency in Encinitas actually has a pretty broad definition and it encompasses anything related to pain generating from your the teeth and gums.

Dental Emergency in Encinitas: Never Ignore Pain

The definition of a dental emergency in Encinitas may sound somewhat reminiscent of that story about the boy who cried wolf… after all; a pain in your tooth can subside quickly and quite easily be forgotten. No need to call it an ‘emergency’. Sensitivity can be endured for months before your inability to enjoy ice-cream compels you to go to the dentist. There are even people who crack, chip and damage their teeth and gums in an accident and instead of receiving professional care, allow their mouths to heal on their own. In reality, a dental emergency in Encinitas encompasses all these scenarios and types of pain. And for each one of them and more, you absolutely need to seek the attention of a dental healthcare professional. Pain and sensitivity emanates from your teeth for a reason and it should never be ignored. It could be indicative of a fracture in your tooth, which has left the sensitive nerves housed within the pulp exposed. This would explain any pain you experience while chewing, or sensitivity to extreme temperatures. A dull throbbing or aching can also indicate that a filling has fallen out or that the nerves and blood vessels in your tooth have sustained damage and/or are infected.

When it comes to dental pain, there is usually an underlying cause that, if left untreated, can result in far more dire consequences for your oral health. It is for this reason that any kind of pain or sensitivity in a tooth or teeth is regarded as a dental emergency in Encinitas.

What You Need to Do in a Dental Emergency in Encinitas

If you have noticed a persistent pain in one or more of your teeth, then you should phone the dentist to set up an appointment immediately. Tell him that it is a dental emergency in Encinitas and that you need prompt attention. No matter how insignificant the pain or small the injury, anything of this nature can compromise the health of the living tissue inside your teeth. Should infection and decay set in, you are looking at a treatment plan that is not only far more invasive and expensive, but also cannot guarantee that the tooth will be saved. Tooth pain is a dental emergency in Encinitas, so don’t hesitate to contact your dentist straight away.

Ask the Encinitas Cosmetic Dentist: About Tooth Whitening, PART 2

This article, part 2 of 2, explores some of the common issues and questions pertaining to having your teeth lightened through tooth bleaching therapy.

Ask the Encinitas Cosmetic Dentist: Introduction

In our previous blog post, we addressed some of the questions frequently asked by patients interested in receiving a dental teeth whitening treatment from the Encinitas cosmetic dentist. Issues such as professional whitening versus home bleaching kits were tackled in order to provide you, the readers, with a better perspective on what is best for your oral health and aesthetics. In the second installment, the Encinitas cosmetic dentist will provide some more answers to frequently asked questions concerning dental whitening.

Question 4 ~ Is tooth whitening safe, or will it damage my teeth in the long run?

Many years’ worth of research and clinical testing has been dedicated to both the long and short term impacts of tooth whitening upon the health of the teeth and gums. But, according to the Encinitas cosmetic dentist, this research has shown it to be completely safe and to have no negative effects on your oral health. If you are really concerned about the safety of tooth whitening then it is always advisable that you:

• Receive your whitening treatment directly from the Encinitas cosmetic dentist or a related qualified healthcare professional,

• Consult with the Encinitas cosmetic dentist before embarking upon a home bleaching treatment. He will want to perform a thorough clinical exam (to make sure it is cavity-free) as well as perform a professional cleaning of your mouth. This will optimize the results of the whitening treatment and minimize the risks of pain and sensitivity from developing in response to the chemical bleaching agents.

• In conjunction with the advice you get from the Encinitas cosmetic dentist, follow the directions on your home bleaching kit very closely and stop immediately should any pain or acute sensitivity develop.

Question 5 ~ What should I do if my teeth and gums become sensitive in response to the bleaching treatment?

Nowadays, the Encinitas cosmetic dentist uses bleaching gels that are well-buffered, rendering sensitivity far less of a problem to the patients receiving a dental whitening treatment. If there is any sensitivity, then it is usually in response to extreme temperatures (such as hot coffee and cold ice-cream) and is generally expected to disappear after 48 hours. If you are using a home whitening kit and sensitivity ensues, then the Encinitas cosmetic dentist recommends that you try wearing the mouthguard with the bleaching gel for shorter periods of time and use toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. You might also want to compliment your whitening treatment with a fluoride product that will help re-mineralize your teeth. This you can brush onto your teeth or wear in your mouth tray four minutes before and after your whitening treatment.

Question 6 ~ Is tooth whitening ever a bad idea for certain people?

The Encinitas cosmetic dentist will advise against tooth whitening in the event that you present with an oral bacterial infection, gum disease, cavities or aggressive teeth wear as a result of Bruxism (teeth-grinding). Pregnant and breast-feeding women are also advised by the Encinitas cosmetic dentist to avoid tooth whitening, as well as people with bleach-resistant ceramic restorations (crowns, veneers, etc.)

Everything You Need to Know About Dental Teeth Whitening in Encinitas, PART 1

Dental Teeth Whitening in Encinitas: Overview

There is arguably no better quick fix for a dazzling smile than a dental teeth whitening in Encinitas. Years of coffee addiction, a penchant for red wine and that most deplorable habit (which you admittedly are trying to kick) smoking, have contributed to a smile that has lost its luster. Pearly white? Perhaps that is too generous a statement for the modern caffeine and nicotine fuelled smile. Thankfully, dental teeth whitening in Encinitas is a really quick, inexpensive and convenient treatment that can readily remove the evidence of the abuse your teeth have sustained over the years. But with all the options available to you, where do you even begin? Which product should you use? Should you have a professional dental teeth whitening in Encinitas or go with an over-the-counter product? Fear not. This article strives to answer some of those frequently asked questions so that you may make the decisions that are best for you and your oral health and aesthetics.

Question 1 ~ Why do teeth stain?

The enamel of your teeth contain tiny little pores, which act to retain the stains caused by regular exposure to tobacco, coffee, tea, red wine, dark-colored soft drinks and other staining substances. A dental teeth whitening in Encinitas acts to eliminate the appearance of surface stains on the enamel of the teeth.

Question 2 ~ Is it better to receive a professional dental teeth whitening in Encinitas, or can I just buy a home bleaching kit?

There are a great number of home bleaching kits available on the market and all of them advertise promises of being ‘safe’, ‘effective’ and ‘long-lasting’, etc. However, it is highly recommended that you only entertain the idea of home dental teeth whitening in Encinitas if you have recently received professional attention from the dentist. Better still; ask the opinion of your dentist on this matter. Generally, professional dental teeth whitening in Encinitas is recommended above home kits for the following reasons:

• Cavities need to be treated before the whitening treatment can commence to prevent the bleaching chemicals from penetrating deep into the tooth causing pain and sensitivity. If you do not receive a thorough clinical assessment prior to home bleaching, you run the risk of seriously hurting yourself.

• The chemical solutions used in a professional dental teeth whitening in Encinitas are far more concentrated and effective. Furthermore, the dentist is far more skilled in applying treatments than you are and this means that the results you attain will be far more beautiful and completely natural.

• Your dentist will be able to diagnose any causes behind your tooth discoloration that are not extraneous in origin, such as decay and infection. He will subsequently deal with them before you receive your dental teeth whitening in Encinitas and before they cause you more serious and expensive problems.

Question 3 ~ How long does a professional dental teeth whitening take?

Generally, a professional dental teeth whitening in Encinitas takes approximately three 30 to 90 minute appointments with the dentist, although this varies substantially with the severity of discoloration and the need for preparation work, such as filling cavities, etc.

Invest in Your Oral Health Today to Save on the Cost of Dental Implants in Encinitas Tomorrow

This article describes the various factors that influence the cost of dental implants as a teeth replacement solution. It also explains how you, the patient, can save on getting them placed!

The Cost of Dental Implants in Encinitas: An Overview

If there’s one thing we’ve come to expect from the field of medicine and its sub-discipline, dentistry, is that it can be expensive. The cost of dental implants in Encinitas is enough to send you into a fit of depression and perhaps even anger with your dentist for recommending this teeth replacement method in the first place! But before you lose your head over lost teeth and the cost of replacing them, take a minute to appreciate what goes into the cost of dental implants in Encinitas:

What to Expect

When it comes to the cost of dental implants in Encinitas, you are basically looking at between $1,250 and $3,000 per implant. This includes the surgical placement of the titanium post in a predrilled socket in the jaw bone and – after healing has been allowed for a period of a few months – the affixing of an aesthetic and functional ceramic tooth crown to the top of this base post. In cases where the tooth or teeth needing replacement have sustained such serious damage that the underlying jaw bone requires augmentation through bone grafting, the cost of dental implants in Encinitas can be anywhere from $1900 - $30,000 depending on the individual needs of the patient. Factors such as the location of the missing tooth/teeth as well as the complexity of the procedure required for their replacement can also affect the overall cost of dental implants in Encinitas. Having provided these figures, you should understand that each dental practice has its own price, so it’s best to do your research beforehand.

Bargain Hunting: Shopping for Dental Implants

Did you know that a staggering 69% of adults between the ages of 35 and 44 are missing at least one of their original adult teeth? Alright, so there are two inevitabilities we have to accept about life: teeth go missing and replacing them is going to be expensive. But the cost of dental implants in Encinitas doesn’t need to cripple you. There are options! First and foremost, the arena where you can save the most is by getting a dentist that places the implants him or herself. More and more general dentists are becoming skilled in the placement of dental implants, so there really is no need for all the multiple consultations with specialists (not to mention their exorbitant fees). Second of all, many dentists provide financing for patients, since medical insurance companies are particularly finicky about dental procedures. This will allow you to cover the cost of dental implants in Encinitas over an agreed period of time, so there’s no need to take out a second mortgage on your house.

Your Third Option…

The cost of dental implants in Encinitas is greatly determined by the complexity of the procedure and the standard of your oral health and hygiene. If you present with advanced periodontal (gum) disease with rampant tooth loss and jaw bone atrophy, you are looking at a long and expensive road to recovery. If, on the other hand, you look after your teeth everyday: brush, floss and visit the dentist regularly and drop bad habits such as smoking, then should you ever require teeth replacement, chances are that the cost of dental implants in Encinitas is not going to inhibit you. In other words: an investment in your oral health and hygiene translates into a future financial investment!

Teeth Implants in Encinitas: Catering to Your Priorities and Those of Your Dentist

This article describes the many benefits and advantages that dental implants offer patients presenting with single or multiple missing teeth.

Teeth Implants in Encinitas: Replacing Teeth from Root to Tip

Dental or teeth implants in Encinitas are one of the best solutions modern dentistry has to offer patients presenting with single and multiple missing teeth. The benefits and advantages they offer as a comprehensive solution arise from the fact that they replace the entire tooth, from the root to the crown, and not just the part of the tooth that is visible above the gum line as many other teeth replacement techniques do. Why is this so important? Well, let’s consider priorities… what’s important to you about replacing a missing tooth is the restoration of your smile aesthetics and perhaps to enable you to eat properly again. What’s important to the dentist is:

· Preventing the rest of your dental arch from becoming unstable and shifting to fill the abandoned socket: Teeth implants in Encinitas, like your natural teeth, provide support for its neighbors, effectively preventing the entire tooth row from shifting.

· Preserving the health of the bone tissue underlying the site/s of the missing tooth or teeth from atrophy and from becoming re-absorbed by the surrounding jawbone. Your teeth provide an important source of stimulation to the underlying jaw bone through the natural mechanical forces of eating and grinding. When this is lost, the bone atrophies or ‘dies’. Teeth implants in Encinitas consist of an artificial ‘tooth root’ to which an aesthetic and functional tooth crown is affixed. The base of this dental device fits neatly into the socket left bare and, over the next few months of healing, forms a strong biological bond with the jaw bone. Thereafter, teeth implants in Encinitas function exactly as natural healthy teeth do; providing stimulation to the jaw bone, while enabling you to eat all the foods you love.

· Preventing the bone structure around your mouth from altering (becoming sunken and aged) as a result of a decrease in bone tissue volume in the jaw.

· Teeth implants in Encinitas keep the risk of infection to an absolute minimum: An abandoned tooth socket is the perfect home for bacteria. It’s warm, wet and traps food… it’s also hard to keep clean because it’s usually too tender or sore to use a toothbrush on it.

Teeth Implants in Encinitas: The Best of Both Worlds

The great thing about teeth implants in Encinitas is that they cater for both yours and the dentist’s priorities! Not only do they fill the gaps in your smile with artificial crowns that are virtually indistinguishable from natural healthy teeth, but they also function and feel like real teeth too. They preserve the excellent health of your jaw bone and minimize your risk of oral infection by filling in those exposed bare tooth sockets. Furthermore, teeth implants in Encinitas provide a long-term solution to single and multiple missing teeth, lasting between 20 and 30 years (sometimes longer) if looked after properly. Just remember, prevention is still better than cure, but if you are looking at needing a tooth replaced, then teeth implants in Encinitas are absolutely the best way to go!