Are you having a toothache or a dental emergency? Rely on the expert OKC Emergency Dentists at Advances in Dentistry to get you out of pain and smiling again. No matter if you have a broken tooth, an abscessed tooth, a large cavity, a gum infection or a broken denture, we are here to help. With over 29 years of dental experience Dr. Rhodes can provide you with the expert dental care that you need to take care of your dental emergency quickly.
If you are having a dental emergency or an urgent dental issue in Oklahoma City, call us at 405-751-6996. Dental problems only get worse over time, which can lead to more health consequences including the following.
Different Types of Dental Emergencies
Trauma
Dental trauma can be due to a number of things. Some of the consequences of dental trauma can be:
-Knocked Out Tooth: If you have a permanent tooth that has been knocked out, recover the tooth, gently rinse the tooth and if possible, reinsert it into the socket. If you can’t reinsert it into the socket, then place it in a cup of milk or water. Call our OKC emergency dental office and if the tooth is savable, we may bond the tooth to the adjacent teeth for a few weeks to see if the tooth and bone can reattach. It is very important to minimize any force and pressure on this tooth while it is healing. Many times the surrounding soft tissue of the gums and lips can be injured as well.
-Chipped or Cracked Tooth: This is a common dental emergency typically due to mild trauma by something hitting a tooth. We see this a lot with sports or even an accidental bump to the mouth while playing. Sometimes the tooth may be extremely sensitive to cold temperatures or even room temperature air hitting the tooth. If the chipped or cracked tooth is more severe, sometimes the nerve can be exposed and you could even see some bleeding from the tooth. It is important to call our Oklahoma City emergency dentist office at 405-751-6996 and have the tooth repaired as quickly as possible to minimize pain and possible swelling that may be a result of the chipped or cracked tooth.
Toothache
This is the most common type of dental emergency in OKC. Toothaches can be caused by a variety of reasons. Some of the more common causes of toothaches in Oklahoma City are:
- Cavities: When cavities get deeper into the tooth they can begin to cause sensitivity to the tooth. The tooth can typically become sensitive to cold and eventually it can become sensitive to sweets (sugary foods). Over time, the tooth may also become sensitive to heat and also biting pressure. If you have sensitivity to heat or biting pressure it can indicate that the cavity may have invaded the nerve of the tooth.
- Nerve Infection: As stated above, if a dental cavity gets deep enough inside the tooth it can infect the nerve of the tooth. Cavities are caused by bacteria called Streptococcus Mutans. When this bacteria hits the nerve or pulp chamber of the tooth, that bacteria spreads down the roots of the tooth and can eventually cause serious swelling and infection. The pulp chamber of the tooth also has a blood supply and this bacteria and infection can enter your bloodstream and cause many other health problems. If you are experiencing any severe pain or swelling please contact our Oklahoma City emergency dental office at 405-751-6996 and make an emergency appointment ASAP. Putting off dental treatment when a tooth is infected is very dangerous and can lead to an emergency room visit if not treated promptly.
- Gum Infection: If you haven’t had your teeth professionally cleaned for awhile, plaque, tarter and bacteria build up around the tooth and under the gum line. Bacteria typically like a warm, dark and moist environment. Therefore, under the gums is a perfect home for bacteria to grow and multiply. Your body tries to fight this bacteria under your gum line and sends T and B cells to help fight this inflammation. These cells spill enzymes which can cause tissue destruction. Gum disease or periodontal disease can cause the gums to swell around the tooth which can cause a toothache. Periodontal disease can also lead to heart attacks and strokes. Having gum disease can increase a persons risk of a heart attack or stroke by 2-3 times. If you need your teeth cleaned, or you are having gum problems, give our OKC dental office a call at 405-751-6996 because gum disease causes irreversible damage and can lead to many health problems.
- Lost Crown or Filling: Sometimes a crown or cap can come loose or come off a tooth. A filling can also crack or break or come off the tooth. If the crown or filling is off of the tooth, the tooth can become sensitive to cold and air. The opposing and surrounding teeth will also begin to shift and move. If the crown is left off the tooth for very long this can cause the crown to not fit back on the tooth properly and/or the tooth to get a cavity. If you have a cracked, broken or lost filling, this too can cause shifting of the teeth and decay to begin to form on the tooth. If you have a lost crown or filling it is very important to contact our Oklahoma City Emergency Dental Office promptly at 405-751-6996.
How to Avoid Dental Emergencies
Sometimes accidents or emergencies are unavoidable. But there are many things that you can do to decrease the chance that you will have a dental emergency.
- See a dentist at least every 6 months for a routine check up and cleaning. The dentist can treat and fix a dental issue before it becomes a dental emergency. Having your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year will also help decrease you chance of developing gum disease.
- Brushing and flossing every day will also help decrease your chance of developing cavities and gum disease. Using a fluoride toothpaste will even help decrease your chance of developing cavities.
- Avoid eating foods and drinks containing sugar. Sugar causes cavities so avoiding sugar will decrease your chance of developing cavities.
- Avoid eating hard or sticky foods. Chewing hard ice or hard foods has the potential to break a tooth or filling. Sticky foods, especially sticky candies like Jolly Ranchers and taffy can lead to cavities but they can also cause a crown or filling to come off the tooth.
- Decrease stress. Stress can lead to teeth grinding which can cause a tooth, filling or crown to break. Teeth clenching and grinding, also known as bruxism, can cause toothaches as they can bruise the ligaments that surround the tooth. Bruxism can also lead to TMJ and muscle pain as well as headaches and neckaches. A dentist can fabricate a professional tooth night guard or grinding appliance that can help protect your teeth muscles, ligaments and TMJ from damage if you are clenching or grinding your teeth.
Call us Today to Schedule Your Emergency Dental Appointment in OKC!
Advances in Dentistry and Dr. Corbyn Rhodes have over 29 years of experience treating dental emergencies in Oklahoma City. Dr. Rhodes was voted best dentist in OKC 6 years in a row. At Advances in Dentistry, we can typically get you out of pain quickly.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency call our OKC Emergency dental office at 405-751-6996 today! We are located at 12320 St. Andrews Dr. OKC, OK 73120. We are on the Northwest Corner of Lake Hefner Parkway and NW 122nd.