Arguably the most valuable service your dentist provides is preventive care. When you visit your dentist for a check-up regularly, we can identify and prevent possible problems before they happen. Preventive care obviously isn’t the only service we provide, however. We deal with plenty of dental problems after they’ve happened, too.
Mouth and tooth problems happen all the time, to all kinds of people, and for all kinds of reasons. No matter what the problem, chances are you’ll want it fixed fast. Even minor tooth problems can be positively debilitating–it’s hard to focus on anything else when your teeth hurt! Luckily, your dentist can help–and help fast. If you have any of the following symptoms, give your dentist a call right now. Here’s how we’ll have your problem addressed by the end of the appointment:
Swollen or Bleeding Gums
Most gum problems happen for the same reason: plaque in your mouth. Plaque is a sticky bacterial film that’s left behind by food and drinks. Plaque builds up on teeth over time and even “grows” and spreads. One of the main reasons you brush and floss your teeth is to remove this plaque. If you let plaque build up for too long, it can irritate your gums. This irritation causes gingivitis, a minor gum disease that inflames your gums and causes them to swell or bleed.
Luckily, gingivitis and other minor gum problems are easy to deal with early on. In fact, a dentist can usually address them during the regular dental check-up process! Gum irritation happens because plaque builds up in the mouth and on the gums. When dentists remove that plaque – and patients keep their teeth clean afterward – the swelling will go down and the problem will disappear. Dental hygienists thoroughly clean away plaque and tartar during regular dental cleanings. Solving your gum problem won’t even take any extra time!
Chipped Teeth
Chipped teeth can happen for a million reasons. Usually, they’re the result of an unfortunate accident like a fall or a collision. Basically, something impacts your tooth, and the force is strong enough to break off a part of the tooth. The tooth is still structurally intact and mostly whole, but you’re missing a part of it. Chipped teeth can be aesthetically upsetting, rough to your tongue, and even painful. They’re also often more vulnerable to cavities and disease.
If you’ve only damaged a part of your tooth’s enamel, we can usually fix the problem right away. We’ll bond a natural-looking composite resin into the chipped area and shape it until it’s contoured to the tooth perfectly. This resin replaces the missing, chipped area and looks indistinguishable from the tooth. If the damage is more significant, we may have to fix the tooth with a crown or veneer instead. Crowns require a couple appointments to complete, but we can give you a temporary crown in the meantime.
Temperature Sensitivity
When your teeth are temperature sensitive, hot and cold sensations are physically painful–often very painful. Drinking something cold could trigger a sharp, piercing pain, either in a single tooth or in several. In some cases, even breathing in through your mouth can trigger a painful reaction. Temperature sensitivity happens when the gums or the protective outer layer of enamel on your teeth wear away. This exposes the inner dentin–and sensitive nerves inside your teeth–to external stimuli.
To immediately treat temperature sensitivity, dentists have to make the nerves in your teeth less sensitive. We’ve got a couple different ways to do that, depending on the severity of your sensitivity. Generally, we’ll send you home with a special toothpaste designed to help with temperature sensitivity. This toothpaste will block the “tubules” in your dentin, preventing sensations from reaching the nerves. If the sensitivity requires immediate treatment, we can apply a fluoride gel or similar desensitizing agent during the appointment.
Jaw Pain
Even more so than the other symptoms on this list, jaw pain can happen for all kinds of reasons. Some of those reasons might have nothing to do with your teeth. In fact, many people with jaw pain wouldn’t consider asking their dentist about it at all! If you have chronic jaw pain, however, chances are it has to do with your mouth. One of the most common sources of jaw pain is bruxism, or teeth grinding.
During your appointment, tell your dentist you’re experiencing chronic jaw pain. We’ll be able to look for signs of bruxism and other tooth-related stressors. Often, we recommend people with bruxism wear mouthguards at night. This mouthguard will help your jaw pain and stop you from inadvertently damaging your teeth. If your jaw pain is happening because of a more severe tooth problem, we can help with that too!
You should have regular dental check-ups just to check on your oral health, but that’s not all dentists are for. Whenever you have a mouth or tooth problem, you can always come to us for help. Chances are, we’ll be able to offer a solution quickly and conveniently.
Next time you have a dental problem, don’t hesitate to call ImmediaDent. If you can’t wait, you can even come in for a walk-up appointment! Don’t suffer with tooth pain any longer; get professional help you can count on instead.
