Tooth pain

Dental Emergencies And Their Signs

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Categories: Dental emergency, Tooth pain, Urgent care

There are several common dental emergencies, but just because they are common doesn’t make them unavoidable. In this post from OnCall Dental in Fresno CA we describe the most common dental emergencies, and what you can do to prevent them.

The way you respond to a dental emergency matters: it can make the difference between complete recovery and long-term damage.

Common Dental Emergencies

These are the most common dental emergencies we see in our office:

  • Toothache. Pain is always a giveaway. Of course, there is a difference between an ordinary toothache and one requiring prompt attention. The greater the pain, the more serious is probably is. Severe toothaches may indicate an abscess, which can spread through the body. In the short term a cold compress can relieve pain. You should also call us and describe your symptoms.
  • Tooth trauma. All it takes is a collision on the playing field or a household mishap, and you have a chipped or broken tooth. If part of your tooth breaks off, save it if you can; we may be able to bond it back together. A cold compress and/or over-the-counter pain relievers can help, but come see us.
  • Knocked out tooth. A more serious tooth trauma is a knocked out (avulsed) tooth. This requires immediate attention. Never touch a knocked-out tooth by its root. Place it back in the socket if you can, or just hold it in your mouth. If it’s treated within an hour chances are good the tooth can be saved.

Of course, there will always be accidents and unavoidable dental emergencies. When they happen remember us at OnCall Dental in Fresno CA. We specialize in urgent dental care. Remember, when it’s an emergency no appointment is necessary; walk-ins are welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental (Tap to open in Google Maps):


OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704
559-900-2332

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency?

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Categories: Dental emergency, Tooth pain, Toothaches

No one wants pain to linger. From a stubbed toe to a tummyache, we all want pain to go away. Toothache pain can keep you up at night, and at OnCall Dental in Fresno CA, we ask: how do you decide that it’s become a dental emergency?

You can’t judge it entirely by how bad the pain is, although severity can be a red flag. If you have toothache pain and it lasts for more than a couple of days, we advise you come see us.

Vanishing Pain?

The most common cause of a toothache is a cavity. When the pain gets really bad, it may mean the cavity has reached an advanced stage. It could also mean an infection.

Whatever is causing the pain, it won’t fix itself. On occasion, toothache pain can vanish before the tooth is treated. Don’t let that fool you! The cause of the toothache is still there. Pain going away on its own could indicate that the soft tissues within the tooth have died. At that point a root canal may be needed to save the tooth.

When you have your toothache treated right away, the main benefit, of course, is that the pain is gone. But you might just be saving the tooth from extraction.

At OnCall Dental in Fresno CA we specialize in dental emergencies and toothache relief. Remember, in an urgent situation no appointment is necessary; walk-ins are welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental (Tap to open in Google Maps):


OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704
559-900-2332

Chipped Tooth, Cracked Tooth: What’s The Difference?

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Categories: Broken tooth, Chipped tooth, Dental emergency, Tooth pain, Urgent care

Our patients at OnCall Dental in Fresno present us with different types of tooth damage. Any kind of tooth trauma can be scary, and we take even minor damage seriously, and repair it.

Healthy teeth are really strong, but are as vulnerable to injury as any other part of the body. A little roughhousing among friends, an accident on the playing field, or a mishap at home can cause a serious problem.

Treatment Options

Here are the different types of tooth traumas, and what we can do about them.

  • A chipped tooth is probably the least serious. They don’t usually hurt much, although the tooth’s jagged edge can irritate the mouth’s soft tissue. But it’s possible the tooth interior is exposed. Small chips can be filled and polished, while larger chips may required a crown.
  • A cracked tooth may have a fracture near thte gumline, moving to the outer part of the tooth. Cracked teeth are more likely to be painful, and severe cracks can reach the root and destroy the tooth. Smaller ones can be filled with resin, while larger cracks can splinted and may require a root canal.

At OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford we want to know about any tooth trauma right away. Take no chances! We have a lot of experience with dental emergencies. In an urgent situation no appointment is necessary; walk-ins are welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental (Tap to open in Google Maps):


OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704
559-900-2332

Consider It An Emergency: Abscessed Tooth

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Categories: Dental emergency, Tooth pain, Toothaches

A tooth abscess is a severe, painful infection. It’s hard to predict what will happen with an abscessed tooth in the short term, so you should consider it a dental emergency and head on over to OnCall Dental in Fresno.

Abscessed teeth can be dangerous, and they will not get better without treatment. Left untreated, in fact, the infection will probably spread through the jaw and neck. It can even get into the brain, and be fatal.

Take No Chances

That’s why you should never take a toothache for granted, even if it doesn’t seem that bad. Don’t get us wrong: having a toothache does not mean you have an abscessed tooth. Most toothaches, in  fact, are caused by cavities.

But never take it for granted. The main symptoms of a tooth abscess include:

  • A throbbing toothache
  • Pain that radiates through the jaw, neck, or ear
  • Fever
  • Swelling in the face
  • Pain when chewing
  • Sensitivity to hot and cold

To repeat: abscessed teeth are hard to predict. Do not take any chances! Assume it’s an emergency, and remember OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford. We treat abscessed teeth and specialize in emergency dentistry. Remember, walk-ins are always welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental (Tap to open in Google Maps):


OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704
559-900-2332

How To Handle A Severe Toothache

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Categories: Dental emergency, Tooth pain, Toothaches

We all get toothaches from time to time. Whenever you get one, the best course of action is to have it looked at by a dentist as soon as possible. Remember that the team at OnCall Dental in Fresno is here for you with expert emergency dental care.

Sometimes you can’t get here as soon as you would like to. When that happens there are things you can do at home to relieve the pain, or at least make it bearable. Just remember that no home remedy is a substitute for seeing the dentist.

Self-Care Tips

We’ve prepared a list of things you can do. Pick and choose from this list: they are not a series of steps, and you don’t have to try them all.

There are two things that can help a bad toothache: reducing any inflammation, and cut off signals from the pain site to your brain.

  1. The first objective can be achieved with a cold compress. An ice pack, or even something like a bag of frozen vegetables, is ideal for this. Hold against the side of your jaw for twenty minute intervals. Remember to wrap it in a clean cloth so the cold source is not in direct contact, which could damage your skin.
  2. For the other goal, take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen. This helps to cut off the signals to your brain, and is also an anti-inflammatory. Read the label and follow the instructions to the letter.

In addition, you can:

  • Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
  • Try garlic. Crush it into a fine paste (use the flat of a knife blade) and apply it directly to the affected area.
  • Try clove oil. This is an old home remedy that can reduce inflammation and pain, and even sterilize the inside of your mouth. Put a few drops on a cotton ball and apply directly to the tooth.

The important thing, though, is professional treatment. At OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford, toothache relief is among our emergency dentistry specialties. In an emergency no appointment is needed. Walk-ins are always welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental (Tap to open in Google Maps):


OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704
559-900-2332

Emergency Extractions

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Categories: Extractions, Tooth pain, Toothaches

A toothache is an SOS from your brain that something is wrong. If you or someone in your home has a toothache there is no need to suffer. Remember the team at OnCall Dental in Fresno. We are here to help!

Severe toothache pain is unbearable, and may also be a sign of something seriously wrong. In a worst case scenario the tooth may need to be extracted. If you have tried everything from pain relievers to ice packs but nothing helps, it’s time for a professional opinion.

Signs

Even intense tooth pain can subside on its own, but you should never take anything for granted. Waiting too long may make things worse. The following are signs that you may need an extraction.

  • Intense and persistent pain. If your pain isn’t responding to basic home remedies like ice or pain relievers.
  • Severe tooth damage. Pain that results from a damaged tooth may require extraction.
  • Painful swelling. If there is swelling along the jaw it may be a sign of infection. This should be treated promptly to prevent spreading. An infected tooth may require extraction.

Any of these symptoms are serious enough for immediate professional attention.  At OnCall Dental in Fresno and Hanford we perform tooth extractions, and other dental emergencies. In an emergency no appointment is needed. Walk-ins are always welcome!

Contact OnCall Dental (Tap to open in Google Maps):


OnCall Dental – Fresno
5492 N Palm Ave Ste A
Fresno, CA 93704
559-900-2332

Emergency Dentistry Issues

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Categories: Dental emergency, Tooth pain

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

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Categories: Chipped tooth, Dental emergency, Tooth pain

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!

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Categories: Dental emergency, Tooth pain, Toothaches

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

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Categories: Dental emergency, Tooth pain, 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