• 6 Signs You Have a Tooth Emergency

    Tooth Emergency In Seattle

    There is nothing quite like dental pain. It can affect every part of your day, making simple actions like talking, eating, and drinking hard to bear. Fortunately, most tooth pain subsides after a short period of time with proper brushing and flossing.

    However, some toothaches do not fade, leaving you in constant agony with no sign of reprieve. In these cases, your tooth pain may signify that something is seriously wrong, and only an emergency dentist can help you find relief. Here are 6 signs that your toothache may indeed be a tooth emergency .

    Prolonged dental pain

    When rinsing with warm water, brushing, flossing, and pain relievers fail to cure your tooth pain, then you may have a more serious dental problem. Toothaches can indicate fractured teeth, cavities, abscesses, or other dental issues. Contact your local emergency dentist for a full evaluation.

    Broken or knocked-out tooth

    A broken tooth is definitely a dental emergency. Not only is it extremely painful, but it can lead to infection or other health problems. If your broken tooth is the result of an injury, please watch out for additional symptoms like a headache, lightheadedness, nausea, or vomiting. Broken teeth can also impact the development of adult teeth, so a child with a broken tooth needs to see a dentist right away.

    Jaw pain

    If you have difficulty biting, experience a popping sensation when you chew, or simply can’t stand moving your jaw due to constant pain, then you may have an injured or inflamed temporomandibular joint. Talk to your dentist about possible TMJ treatment options.

    Swollen, red, and/or bleeding gums

    Gingivitis, or mild swelling of the gums, is a common condition that can be remedied by regular brushing and flossing. But if your gums are suddenly more swollen than usual, you may have a dental infection. When bacteria invade the dental pulp, it can lead to an infection that spreads all the way down the tip of the root. If left untreated, the resulting swelling and inflammation can cause a painful tooth abscess.

    Something caught in your teeth

    Popcorn kernels and sticky candies are notorious for getting stuck in teeth. Usually, you can get them out by brushing and flossing, but if that fails to dislodge the debris, you may need to visit an emergency dentist. The risk of infection or irreversible damage to the tooth increases the longer the debris remains stuck, so make sure to address this dental problem as soon as you can.

    Lost fillings, crowns, or other restorations

    It is not uncommon for crowns or fillings to come out when eating, especially if your meal consists of something sticky. A lost filling or crown leaves the underlying dental nerves exposed, which can cause extreme pain if it comes in contact with air. For times like these, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist at your earliest convenience.

    So how do you know you have a tooth emergency? Follow this simple rule: if it hurts, give Zen Dental a call! We will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums to minimize any lasting damage and set you on the road to a life without dental pain. Give us a call today!

    If you are in need of emergency dental services, call 206-926-8818 now!

  • Does Your Kiddo Have a Cavity? Here is the Best Way to Approach Treatment

    Cavity Treatment In Seattle

    You are on the ball when it comes to helping your young child brush their teeth. Every day, twice a day. Way to go! You are setting a good example and encouraging good dental hygiene all at the same time. So, your child’s next dentist appointment should be all sunshine and rainbows, right?

    Unfortunately, no. The dentist informs you that Junior has kid cavities.

    How did that happen?

    Tooth decay is a very common condition among preschoolers. This disease, known as dental caries, is caused by the presence of bacteria in the mouth that feeds on the sugar left on teeth and produces acid, which eats away at tooth enamel. Regular brushing helps prevent caries, but you need to watch out for other cavity-causing factors as well such as constant snacking, too much juice, drinking bottled water instead of fluoridated tap water, and not going in for routine check-ups because they are so young.

    So now that your child has a cavity, what next?

    Even though those baby teeth are going to fall out anyways, you need to have the dentist treat the kid cavities. Here is the best way the approach treatment when your little one has a cavity.

    Take a breath

    First and foremost, process the situation and work towards the solution. Find out as much information as you can from the dentist about how much of the tooth’s surface needs to be restored, what materials are going to be used for the filling , and what their recommended plan of action is for treating your child. Forewarned is forearmed, and the last thing you want is for your child to become anxious because you are anxious.

    Tell, show, do

    One of the best approaches for relieving anxiety in kids is the good ol’ “tell, show, do” method. Start off by explaining to your child what is about to happen and why it is necessary. Have the dentist walk your child through the procedure, demonstrating each step so your child knows exactly what to expect. If you and the dentist decide to employ some kind of pain management technique like nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or general anesthesia, then demonstrate what that will involve as well. Then, let the dentist get to work. In many cases, “tell, show, do” is enough to relieve anxiety in your kiddo.

    Employ preventative measures

    Tooth decay is a highly preventable disease, so now that you know your son or daughter is prone to cavities, it might be a good idea to switch up your routine by:

    • Making sure your child eats a well-balanced diet
    • Limiting or eliminating sugary drinks and snacks
    • Giving them fluoridated water instead of juice to drink
    • Asking your dentist about dental sealants that could be applied to the teeth
    • Scheduling routine check-ups every 6 months
    • Optimizing your child’s brushing and flossing regime

    Zen Dental truly understands the importance of establishing early oral habits, so if you have any questions regarding your child’s oral health, please don’t hesitate to give our Seattle office a call today!

    Protect your children from cavities by calling 206-926-8818 to schedule an appointment!