Emergency Dentistry Issues

When you think of “dental emergency,” your thoughts may automatically go to cracked or broken teeth, or even a knocked out tooth. These are all genuine dental emergencies, but at OnCall Dental in Fresno we treat plenty of other emergencies, too.

We are fully equipped to treat any of the following emergencies:

  • Severe toothache. A toothache may not strike you as an emergency, but they certainly can be. It could be an infected tooth requiring immediate treatment.
  • Something stuck between your teeth. Objects like popcorn kernels can get wedged so severely between two of your teeth that it may be like it’s going to be stuck forever. We can get it out.
  • Bit lip or tongue. We can treat soft tissue injuries in the mouth. These can be scary because they tend to bleed a lot.
  • Knocked out tooth. We mentioned this at the top, but mention it again because this is one of the most serious dental emergencies there is. If it’s treated promptly there is a good chance the tooth can be saved, but it’s a race against the clock.

Never take pain or injury to a tooth for granted; it is better to be safe than sorry! At OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford we treat all kinds of dental emergencies. In an emergency no appointment is needed. Walk-ins are always welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

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

OnCall Dental – Hanford


What To Do If You Crack A Tooth

A cracked or broken tooth can be frightening, and if it happens to you, remember the team at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford.

Fractured teeth are actually fairly common. Whether you see us immediately depends on a few things. Is there any pain? Even if  there isn’t it’s a good idea to take an over-the-counter pain reliever, like ibuprofen. You should also rinse your mouth out right away. Use warm salt water.

You should also call our office right away, even if there isn’t any pain. Describe your condition in as much detail as you can, and from there we can decide on your best course of action.

Some of the factors involved:

  • Location of the tooth in your mouth
  • Severity of the break
  • Your age

A small, surface-level chip may not require any treatment at all. The chipped area can be filed and polished, so there are not jagged edges.

Sometimes cracks involve the entire tooth. These are more serious because they can reach all the way to the nerve. Even if the tooth appears to be one piece, the crack can gradually spread and develop into a split.

More serious is what is called a vertical root fracture, which begins in the tooth root and  moves upward. They don’t always have symptoms and you may not even know one is there. But they can lead to gum and bone infection.

Don’t take anything for granted. Any trauma to the mouth might crack a tooth, even if there aren’t any symptoms, so you should be examined. At OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford we treat all kinds of dental emergencies. In an emergency no appointment is needed. Walk-ins are always welcome!

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

OnCall Dental – Hanford


Have A Toothache? Call Us!

There are many different types of dental emergencies, and we treat them all at OnCall Dental in Fresno. But the emergency we treat the most is probably a severe toothache.

Having a toothache may sound like a simple run-of-the-mill problem, but never take that for granted. It could indicate a more serious problem, like an infection. Chances are you’ll be fine, but be sure to have your toothache treated – sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, you can do several things to ease the pain before we treat you.

  • Rinse your mouth with warm water. This cleans out any food debris in your mouth.
  • Gently floss around the toothache. Flossing cleans out anything that may be stuck between teeth.
  • Use an ice pack. An ice pack helps to reduce any swelling. Don’t place anything frozen direclty against skin, though; wrap it in a clean cloth.
  • Take pain medication. Over-the-counter pain relievers help control any pain.

Providing toothache relief is something we do almost every day 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


All About 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


Dental Emergency Checklist

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


When Is A Toothache An Emergency?

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


The Causes of Toothache Pain

The most common cause of a toothache, by far, is a cavity. The pain from tooth decay can be unbearable. If it happens at night or on the weekend, the idea of waiting until Monday may be out of the question. If you’re in that fix, remember us at OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford.

The main reason a cavity causes tooth pain is that the decay has reached the inner layer of tooth called the dentin. If the pain is really severe it may have reached the center of the tooth, which is more serious. Get to our office as soon as you can.

Other Causes

While it’s the most common, an orindary cavity is not the only cause of a toothache. Here are some others:

  • Tooth abscess. This is, in fact, advanced tooth decay. The decay can actually infect the root and surrounding tissue. It can cause a lot of pain that spreads along the other teeth, to the point where pinpointing the problem area can be tricky. It’s a serious condition and needs to be treated promptly.
  • Damaged fillings. In a perfect world, a tooth filling would last forever. Unfortunatley it doesn’t work that way; fillings can wear out, become cracked, or covered in pits or grooves. When that happens the sensitive part of the tooth, repaired by the filling, is exposed. We’ll need to replace the filling.
  • Factured tooth. A tooth can be cracked in any number of ways, from an accident at home to a sports mishap. Fractures can be painful, but we can treat them. (We’ll take this opportunity to remind you: in sports, a mouthguard is essential gear!)
  • Gum disease. Tooth pain may also be a sign of gum disease. You will typically noticed a full pain in the mouth, along with bleeding gums. This should be treated promptly. Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss.

At OnCall Dental we are only a phone call away. But in an emergency you do not need to make appointment. We have offices in Fresno and Hanford, and treat toothache pain and specialize in emergency dentistry.  Walk-ins are always welcome!


Judgment Call: Is It An Emergency?

When there is an unexpected dental issue, it can be a little tricky knowing whether it’s a genuine emergency that needs prompt attention. The team at OnCall Dental in Fresno would like to remind you that not seeking treatment could lead to serious complications.

Some dental emergencies are obvious: a cracked or knocked out tooth, for example. These are serious: a knocked out tooth is especially serious, because it’s a race against the clock. If a knocked out tooth is treated within an hour the chances of saving it are good.

Does it come down to a judgment call? It might. But there are certain signs that should tell you to head straight to our office:

  • Severe pain
  • Swelling, especially if it affects breathing
  • Heavy bleeding
  • High fever that doesn’t respond to medication

If you have any doubt at all, don’t take any chances: head to OnCall Dental in Fresno. That dental injury won’t fix itself. We specialize in emergency dental care, including toothache relief. Walk-ins are always welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental – Fresno: 599-477-4553


When To Seek Urgent Care

Aches and pains in the mouth are not all that uncommon, and a lot of people think the best approach is grin and bear it. But sometimes it really is best to get professional help right away, like what we provide at OnCall Dental in Fresno.

How do you know when a home remedy is not enough? Here are some signs you need emergency dental care:

  • Severe toothache. Toothaches are common, and it may not be obvious knowing it’s getting serious. Is it throbbing? Is it so bad you can’t sleep? A really bad toothache may indicate an infection, which could be an abscess in the root. Come see us for a proper diagnosis.
  • Loose tooth. We’re not talking about kids and baby teeth. If one of your permanent teeth is wiggling in your jaw, come see us right away. Adult teeth should never be loose. You may have had an injury. It may also be a sign of infection.
  • Swollen jaw. If your jaw swells up, come see us right away. This too could indicate an infection. We will do a thorough exam to see what’s going on.

At OnCall Dental in Fresno we specialize in emergency dentistry. A toothache won’t get better on its own; a chipped tooth won’t repair itself. But we can help. In emergency cases you do not need an appointment; walk-ins are always welcome.


Treating Toothache Pain

A toothache can really get your attention. Toothaches make it hard to eat, hard to sleep, and hard to concentrate. At OnCall Dental in Fresno, we can ease toothache pain, even in the evening and on weekends, when other dentist offices are closed.

The most common cause of a toothache is a cavity, and we can fill one of those in a jiffy. Toothaches are caused when the nerve in a tooth’s root becomes irritated. That can also happen from infection or injury, or even in the site of an extraction.

Pain from a toothache can radiate around your face and head – the jaw, the cheeks, or the ear. It can range from mild to intense, and may be persistent or it may come and go. You may only notice it when you chew, or eat something hot or cold. However the pain affects you and whatever its cause, treatment should be made a priority.

Aside from cavities, the cause of a toothache might be:

  • Cracked tooth. Teeth can crack from trauma, biting something hard, and even from clenching.
  • Wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth can cause pain when they’re coming in, especially if they’re impacted.
  • Abscess/Infection. This can cause severe pain and swelling.
  • Gum disease. Gums can become inflamed and cause you pain.

Most dental issues can be prevented by good oral hygiene: regular flossing, brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, and regular cleanings and checkups. We needed to say that, but this is not the place for a lecture on brushing your teeth!

At OnCall Dental in Fresno, we are here to relieve your pain and provide urgent dental care. Toothaches are only a few of the dental emergencies we treat. Walk-ins are always welcome!