Day: March 14, 2020

Many issues can affect your dental health which can make it challenging to know which one is an emergency and which one is not. According to a specialist for dental implants in Arlington, there are oral problems that can wait for a day or two before you visit the dentist, such as a chipped tooth that does not hurt. However, if it is painful and has left sharp fragments, it is considered an emergency.

Here are the common dental problems that require you to make an emergency dentist appointment.

When Your Jaw or Mouth is Swollen

A swollen mouth or jaw can be caused by swollen lymph nodes, gum disease, infection, and cancer- on rare occasions. It can be difficult to know the cause of the swelling. Therefore, you must schedule an appointment with your emergency dentist for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.

When You have a Fractured Tooth

Tooth fracture is the most common dental emergency. It can be caused by knocked out or displaced teeth, as well as trauma at the tooth position. Impacts that can cause injury to your teeth include being hit in the jaw when playing a contact sport like basketball and hockey, falling off a bicycle, and dental procedures like a root canal.

To avoid impacts that can severely damage your teeth, you must always wear a quality mouth-guard while engaging in contact sports.

You Experience Tooth or Gum Pain

Toothache is also very common among the world’s population. There are so many reasons why tooth and gum pain may occur. Examples include a gum disease known as gingivitis or bleeding gums and tooth decay, which is caused by bacteria formation in the tooth. When you experience tooth or gum ache, you must visit a dentist; otherwise, you may suffer from other severe conditions due to periodontitis.

When You Accidentally Lose Your Tooth

It is a must that you seek the services of an emergency dentist in case of an accidental tooth loss. Common injuries leading to tooth loss are sports-related, and they are known to cause trauma to the dental nerves and gum tissues. Seeking emergency treatment can help you find a quick solution to the problem. In many incidences, the lost tooth can be fixed.

When You Have an Abscessed Tooth

A dental abscess is a severe condition caused by an infection, which results from a pocket of pus in the tooth. Below are the signs and symptoms of a dental abscess:

• Tender lymph nodes in your neck
• Fever
• Swelling on the face
• Feeling pump-like bumps on the gum near the infected area
• Tooth sensitivity to extreme temperatures

You can rinse your mouth with salty water several times a day to draw out the pus near the surface and manage pain caused by an abscessed tooth. It would help if you visited a dentist as soon as possible to prevent the spreading of the infection to the jaw and adjacent teeth.

How You Can Avoid Dental Emergencies

The best way is by practicing general dental hygiene, taking precautions when participating in impact sports, and scheduling regular dental checkups with a professional dentist. Regular visits to a dentist will help in the early detection of infection, gum disease, or tooth decay. As such, the conditions can be treated early enough before they become emergencies.

Sedation dentistry or comfort is a dental procedure that involves the use of sedatives to help patients relax during different dental procedures. If you experience phobia for most dental procedures, sedation dentistry is an excellent option for you. At Bright Work-Family Dentistry, Dr. Benjamin J.Crowley and his team of experts have been helping patients fight the fear of dental procedures in Richmond, VA.

Sedation dentistry is a potent tool, and before you decide on whether to go through it or not, here are essential facts you should know about the whole concept.

Sedatives and Anesthetics Are Two Different Things

Many people believe that sedatives and anesthetics are the same, but that’s a great misconception. The two are very different drugs. Anesthetic application numbs your sense to help prevent pain during various surgical procedures, while sedation helps you to relax.

The other difference between the two is that when sedatives are used, you remain awake but in a more relaxed state. However, when a general anesthetic is used, you remain unconscious throughout the procedure.

The Different Types of Sedation Dentistry

Oral Sedation

Oral sedation requires you to have a dose of prescribed sedatives before your procedure begins. Your dentist will direct you on what intervals you should take the sedative. In most cases, you are advised to take it the night before the procedure, then one hour before it begins. The resultant effects of having oral sedation are that you feel tired and sleepy after the procedure. But these effects usually wear off the next day.

Laughing Gas or Nitrous oxide

In this type of sedation dentistry, you’re fed with laughing gas through a nose apparatus, which enables the continued supply of the gas throughout the procedure. The effects of this gas wear off as soon as the supply is cut short. Patients that undergo laughing gas sedation experience very mild effects and can even drive themselves home after the procedure.

Some patients feel comfortable with laughing gas alone, while others still need it even after having oral sedation.

IV Sedation

IV sedation is applied to people who experience severe dental anxiety. It’s not applied continuously; hence you’ll only feel its effects in intervals. Most patients who have undergone this form of sedation tend to remember nothing about the entire procedure. Your dentist will advise you to have a rest the following day after the procedure.

Sedation Dentistry Is Safe If Done Right

Sedation dentistry is being performed in almost all corners of the globe, and lots of researches have proven that there are no significant risks associated with it. Your dentist will choose the type of sedative to use on you depending on your specific circumstances, including your fear levels and the dental procedure in question. It is safer than anesthesia because it requires no external supervision.

Sedation Dentistry Can Be Covered by Insurance

Many insurers will help you to partially cover your sedation dentistry, especially if it is an essential component of your dental procedures. Not all insurances offer coverage for dental sedation, but you can opt for other flexible financing options.

You never have to skip your appointment with the dentist due to anxiety. To conquer it, ask the expert which dental sedation options are best for you and if they can help relieve your fears.