Consider It An Emergency: Abscessed Tooth

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

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

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

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!