When you need a dentist to repair damage to the teeth or mouth ASAP, or if the oral issue is threatening your health in any way, it is considered a dental emergency.
Knocked-out teeth or adult teeth that have fallen out
Severe infections
Excessive bleeding
Severe pain
These dental ailments don’t need same-day attention but should be checked by a dentist soon:
Chipped or cracked teeth
Dry sockets
Loose teeth
Tooth or mouth pain that is manageable
At Your Time Dental Urgent Care in Gibsonton, we treat all the oral dilemmas listed above. PLUS, we offer general and cosmetic dental services.
What you don’t know may hurt you
Oftentimes, individuals leave injuries unattended to or fail to have them examined by a dentist. This may take place if an individual does not know whether their dental issue is an emergency. It can be dangerous to leave an injury or infection to heal itself because they can get worse without an individual’s knowledge. What you do not know, or what you fail to seek care for, can hurt you in the long-term.
For example, leaving dry sockets untreated can lead to an infection and other complications. Leaving an infection untreated can lead to a tooth abscess which can be extremely painful and possibly result in loss of the tooth.
What is a tooth abscess?
A tooth abscess is a pus pocket that forms as a result of a bacterial infection. Treatment can involve draining the abscess, a root canal, or pulling the tooth. If ignored, this can destroy the bone and eventually cause a lot of pain.
In conclusion
When it comes to dental complications, there are plenty that can develop if a dental ailment is not addressed in a timely manner. It is critical to know what is a dental emergency and what is not, and to seek the correct care when you need it.
At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we offer general, emergency, and cosmetic dental services. One of these services is wisdom teeth removal. We have learned through the years that when it comes to wisdom teeth, there are many common myths. Let’s clear up the confusion.
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars in the back of the mouth. It is frequently the case that there is not enough room in the mouth for wisdom teeth to develop correctly.
First off, it is vital to have semiannual check-ups. This way, your dentist can establish the right time to remove them.
Common misconceptions about wisdom teeth:
1. Everyone has to get their wisdom teeth removed.
Some people’s mouths have enough space that the presence of wisdom teeth does not compromise the space necessary for the other teeth to exist and remain healthy.
2. Getting your wisdom teeth removed means your cheeks will be swollen for a long time.
There are new, advanced drugs that help keep swelling under control. Swelling in the face after getting wisdom teeth removed is normal, but should only last two to three days given the appropriate medication.
3. You should consume beverages through a straw following the procedure instead of normal foods because it will be hard to chew.
While it is recommended that you avoid solid or hard foods following getting your wisdom teeth removed, you should not consume your food through a straw. Drinking through a straw can lead to dry sockets.
4. By looking at an X-ray, your dentist can predict exactly when your wisdom teeth will come in.
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to predict how quickly wisdom teeth will move or emerge.
A small percentage of patients develop dry sockets.
What are dry sockets?
A dry socket is a dental condition that can occur within a few days after having an adult tooth removed. A dry socket is when nerves or bone are exposed rather than a blood clot forming over the site of a tooth that was removed. It can result in great pain and can be treated with painkillers and by flushing out the exposed area.
To recap:
More often than not, wisdom teeth will need to be removed because there is not enough space in the mouth for them to develop normally. Most individuals go under anesthesia to get their wisdom teeth pulled, and do not see any side effects after the procedure beyond swelling and pain for two to three days. However, dry sockets may take place if proper care is not taken following the procedure. Wisdom teeth often erupt in the late teens or early twenties. Some people need their wisdom teeth taken out even if they don’t erupt. Wisdom teeth removal is a safe procedure and there are generally few complications.
You can experience tooth sensitivity when the enamel of your teeth starts to thin. Or when nerves in your teeth become exposed. You may feel pain only when you drink hot or cold liquids. Or it could transpire any time you chew.
If tooth sensitivity comes on suddenly, it may be a dental emergency or at least an urgent dental issue that shouldn’t be ignored.
Either way, at Your Time Dental Urgent Care we can determine the cause and treat it if it’s dental-related. If we can’t treat the underlying condition, we can refer you to a specialist.
Tooth sensitivity can be caused by:
A cavity
Gum recession
A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
An abscess
Thinning enamel due to teeth grinding, bulimia, acid reflux, an acidic diet, vaping, or a bite abnormality
Teeth whitening treatment
Of course, the treatment for tooth sensitivity depends on the cause.
If you experience sudden tooth sensitivity, book an appointment at Your Time Dental Urgent Care. Drs. Kernagis will determine the cause of the sensitivity. If the sensitivity is due to thinning enamel, Drs. Kernagis will recommend an over-the-counter desensitizing toothpaste. A high-fluoride toothpaste formulated for tooth sensitivity lessens tooth pain after several applications. However, some patients may need in-office procedures such as fluoride gel treatments.
If the sensitivity is caused by an abscess or a cavity, we will take care of that issue as well. We perform root canals, fillings, and inlays/onlays.
These habits can weaken or diminish your tooth enamel:
1. Chewing on hard foods
We’re looking at you Beef jerky and hard or stale bread.
2. Chewing on hard items
This includes fingernails, pencils, pen caps, and ice.
3. Grinding your teeth
If you grind your teeth, counsel with your dentist. An appliance can protect your smile. Then seek appropriate treatment for the underlying cause. Drs. Kernagis can recommend medical professionals that specialize in treating teeth grinding.
4. Eating too much sticky food
Gummy candy, dried fruit, and even protein bars can break teeth.
5. Drinking anything besides water frequently
If your teeth are bathed in soda (sugared or diet), juice, coffee, or sports drinks constantly, you are asking for dental problems.
6. Playing sports without a mouthguard
Sports pose a major risk of tooth damage. Most children are required to wear a protective mouthguard on the playing field. But fewer adults wear mouthguards for recreational activities like mountain biking and skiing. Stock types are ready-made and rarely fit well. Custom-fitted mouthguards from your dentist are more comfortable than the cheap boil-and-bite type.
7. Using a hard-bristled toothbrush
A hard-bristled toothbrush can damage teeth and cause gums to pull away. Scrub away food bits and plaque with a soft (or extra-soft) toothbrush.
8. Ignoring dry mouth
Saliva is important. Saliva rinses food fragments off of teeth and helps neutralize acids. It also helps clean the teeth of leftover food bits, helping to prevent plaque buildup. Constant dry mouth, or xerostomia, can lead to tooth decay. Talk to your dentist if you have dry mouth frequently.
9. Using teeth as tools
Locate a pair of scissors to open a package or pry the lid of a medicine bottle. Use a nutcracker if you are eating unshelled nuts. A quality dental crown can cost over eight hundred dollars.
10. Ignoring bad breath
Bad breath is often associated with bacteria build-up in the mouth. It might be a symptom of accelerating decay. Discuss it with your dentist. (Don’t be embarrassed. We treat bad breath all the time.)
11. Ignoring jaw pain
If you suffer from jaw pain or notice a clicking sound, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately! These symptoms can be signs of a serious condition called temporomandibular disorder or TMD.
Is it too late? Have you already broken or chipped a tooth? We can repair it at Your Time Dental Urgent Care. There are a number of restorative and cosmetic dental treatments for chipped or cracked teeth.
Accidents happen, and sometimes teeth get knocked out. Unlike other types of injuries–say a cut or a broken bone–a knocked out tooth doesn’t heal on its own.
Urgent care medical clinic or hospital emergency department? Neither.
If your tooth gets knocked out, your first thought may be to race to an urgent care medical clinic. Or you might go straight to a hospital ER.
If you go to the emergency department at any Florida hospital, you probably won’t find an oral surgeon. We are not aware of any Tampa area hospitals that keep an oral surgeon on staff. The same goes for urgent care medical clinics in the area.
Since it can be very painful you may have a hard time thinking straight. Therefore, it’s smart to have a plan beforehand in the unfortunate event that you find yourself with a knocked-out tooth.
Call Your Time Dental Urgent Care and we’ll talk you through what to do
At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we specialize in dental traumas. We provide urgent care dental treatment for injuries such as a knocked-out tooth. In other words, we are your Gibsonton emergency room for dental traumas.
The simple answer to the question, “If my tooth gets knocked out, can a dentist put it back in?” is yes…possibly. A tooth can be put back in its socket if the conditions are favorable.
However, sometimes the more viable option after knocking out a tooth is replacing it with an artificial tooth. Your urgent care dentist will know whether to try to re-insert the tooth or not.
What you should know about getting to the dentist with a knocked-out tooth:
The safest way to bring the tooth is by safely and cleanly holding it in its place in the mouth with a napkin until you get to Your Time Dental Urgent Care.
If your child knocks their tooth out, clean it off gently, taking care not to strip off any tissue that is attached. If the child is so young that they might mistakenly swallow the tooth, put it in milk. The child can also spit in a cup and you can put the tooth in the saliva. (We know it’s gross, but it’s best for the tooth.)
We may be able to “splint” or temporarily attach the re-inserted tooth to the adjacent teeth to stabilize it while it is healing. When it has re-integrated, we will remove the splint.
Dental emergencies span the urgency spectrum from “Get me to an urgent care dentist now!” to “This toothache can wait until the Monday if I take enough Advil” to “I will fix that chipped tooth when I get dental insurance.”
It’s vital to understand, however, that just because a tooth problem can wait until next week, it doesn’t mean you should delay it for months.
A cautionary tale of a patient who delayed treatment for a cracked tooth
We’ll call her Diane. Diane chipped a tooth while trying to crack a shelled almond with her teeth. (Not recommended, for obvious reasons.) The tooth didn’t hurt so Diane didn’t make an appointment to get it corrected. She planned to have it looked at. But because she had a good measure of apprehension about dental treatment, she kept postponing making an appointment. It didn’t show when she looked in the mirror and she eventually forgot about it.
What you don’t know about CAN hurt you
As the months went by, a cavity formed down in the crack. It slowly and steadily drilled through the enamel. One day–bam!-it made it to the root.
This is where the nerves are located so Diane was rapidly and painfully reminded of the crack. Unfortunately, at this point, a root canal was the only treatment option.
What if Diane would have taken care of the crack right after it happened?
She could have gotten an inexpensive white filling in one visit at Your Time Dental Urgent Care. Modern white fillings are strong and inconspicuous. A minimally invasive filling at Your Time Dental Urgent Care leaves you with more of nature’s prime dental material—your own enamel and dentin. We can also replace old amalgam fillings with white fillings. This makes your teeth look a lot better every time you open your mouth.
If you have a crack or chip in a tooth, let’s talk about possible restoration procedures. Don’t wait another day.
Brush. Floss. Get regular checkups.Get prompt attention when you have a dental emergency.
It sounds simple, but it’s vitally important if you want to keep your teeth healthy.
How many times have you said, ‘If only!’ ‘If only I had changed my oil,’ ‘If only I had stayed in college,’ ‘If only I had worn sunscreen.’
We hope you don’t ever say, ‘If only I had taken care of that tooth problem!’
Perhaps you cracked a tooth a while back. Maybe an old filling fell out.
At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we are enthusiastic about helping patients establish and maintain dental health. We help all of our patients feel relaxed and comfortable in a friendly, non-judgmental atmosphere.
We have treated countless Gibsonton area patients who avoided the dentist in years past but have recommitted themselves to healthy oral habits. We can promise you that your overall physical health and happiness will be enhanced if you start taking care of your teeth today.
We have a comprehensive menu of effective treatments for any dental dilemmas you currently have: decay, stained teeth, cracked teeth, gum disease, broken crowns, old unsightly fillings, and even missing teeth.
Professional dental treatment is a key investment in your most precious possession—your health.
If you are worried about the cost of dental treatment, speak with us about financing. If you need extensive dental work, we can design a treatment plan to get the work done over time and schedule it to fit your budget.
Whatever concerns have kept you from seeing a dentist—fear, finances, or the fact that you are just too busy—we hope you will recommit to your smile. We are here to help.
Unfortunately, a broken or fractured tooth is not something that will simply heal on its own. As soon as you notice a broken tooth, call Your Time Dental Urgent Care promptly.
There are a couple of things you can do in preparation for a dental procedure for a broken tooth:
Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, like acetaminophen.
A broken tooth can have sharp edges. To safeguard your mouth from the sharp edges of your tooth, cover the broken tooth with something soft like wax or chewing gum.
While nursing your mouth, eat softer foods, and try to avoid chewing on your broken tooth.
Call us and explain your situation if you continue to withstand:
erratic pain when chewing;
pain when exposed to extreme temperatures;
or intense pain that comes and goes with pressure;
Don’t ignore broken dental work
What if you experience a broken dental crown, bridge, or veneer? Without the restoration, the tooth is vulnerable to additional damage. At Your Time Dental Urgent Care, we administer beautiful same-day restorations. A broken artificial tooth shouldn’t be ignored.
Urgent care dental practices accommodate nervous patients
If you need treatment but hesitate because of dental anxiety, talk to us about sedation dentistry. We have several methods to help you through the treatment.
Our mouth and teeth work hard day after day. It’s no surprise that a tooth is occasionally damaged. Don’t let a cracked or broken tooth get worse and cause additional oral complications.
Some dental problems need prompt attention–a knocked-out tooth, for example. Other times, it’s not exactly clear if the condition is a dental emergency.
Is unexplained pain or swelling a dental emergency?
Gingivitis can result in swollen gums. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease. If your swollen gums are caused by gingivitis, they may bleed easily. If this oral ailment is not treated it can lead to periodontitis. With this condition, your gums become loose and separate from the teeth. If plaque builds up in the pockets, the gums can start loosening. It eventually becomes infected. The infection can spread to the bone supporting the tooth.
If you let gum disease go untreated, you can lose teeth that are cavity-free!
The progression of gingivitis to tooth loss goes like this:
Plaque build-up irritates gums
Irritated gums recede from the tooth
Bacteria multiply in the spaces between the gum and tooth
The bone holding the tooth is eaten by the bacteria
Allergies, infections, and the common cold can irritate gums. When sinus tissues become swollen and infected, it can impact the teeth and gums.
Is a mouth sore causing the swelling?
A mouth sore can cause swelling and pain. Mouth sores have various causes including an infection or virus. White patches in the mouth can indicate thrush (an oral yeast infection). All of these conditions can be addressed—but you need to see your dentist. An urgent care dentist is a great choice for a painful mouth sore because they have extended hours. Some offer weekend appointments.
It could be an abscess.
Swollen gums can also be caused by an abscess. An abscess is an infected pocket of pus in a tooth and/or the surrounding bone and tissue. The most common type of oral abscess initiates in the pulp of the tooth and is commonly caused by tooth decay. If left untreated, this can actually destroy the bone around the tooth and cause serious discomfort.
There is more than one way to fix a tooth. If you are the fortunate owner of perfectly healthy teeth, you may never need any of these procedures. However, if you are like most Gibsonton residents, you will need to restore a tooth eventually.
If your tooth issue is due to a dental emergency, our team will provide prompt care.
Today’s post looks at six restoration procedures that are used routinely to repair a damaged tooth:
1. Dental Bonding
Bonding, officially called direct composite veneers, is used to fix chips, cracks, stains, and make teeth longer. It is also sometimes used to fill cavities. A skilled cosmetic dentist applies the pliable composite resin and molds it to the exact shape required. The resin is then hardened with a special curing light.
These wafer-thin covers can hide a chip or crack or repair the alignment of a tooth that is slightly crooked.
3. A Filling (Inlay or Onlay)
A traditional filling is shaped and molded after it is applied to the tooth. Because inlays and onlays are created in a dental lab, they are typically called indirect fillings. Inlays are applied to just the center of the biting surface of a tooth (not to a cusp or point) and are often smaller than onlays. An onlay restores one or more cusps of a tooth. If you have old silver amalgam fillings, you can replace them with white fillings.
A crown replaces the entire visible portion of the tooth, restoring appearance, strength, and function. Crowns are used for teeth that have had a root canal, teeth with extensive decay, the replacement tooth in a dental bridge, and the visible portion of a tooth implant. Crowns can be made of all metal (such as gold), porcelain-fused-to-metal, all ceramic, or all resin.
A dental implant is often an optimal restoration for a tooth that has been extracted. It restores the entire tooth—both root and crown. Most dental implant recipients report that the implant is indistinguishable from a natural tooth. Dental implants are used in a variety of applications such as anchoring dentures and dental bridges.
Many of these injuries could have been prevented (or rendered less severe) with the proper protective gear.
All athletes who participate in contact sports are at risk of injuries to their mouths and teeth. It doesn’t matter if you are a professional athlete or a 6-year-old playing youth soccer.
When it comes to protecting your mouth, a protective mouthguard is a vital piece of athletic gear that should be used from an early age.
What age group has the most injuries?
8- to 12-year-old kids who participate in basketball, hockey, baseball, soccer, rugby, football, and lacrosse are typically most affected by lost or damaged teeth. But even those that participate in non-contact sports like skateboarding, mountain biking, or climbing can benefit from wearing a protective mouthguard.
Mouthguards are made of strong, flexible materials that are designed to protect your teeth, gum, and jaw in case of an impact. A mouthguard forms a protective layer between your teeth and the point of impact. The following are three critical ways a mouthguard can safeguard you while playing sports.
Absorb Force
Any impact to the face or jaw involves force or energy. A mouthguard absorbs some of the energy, ensuring that the potential harm caused by the impact is limited. The cushioning effect of a mouthguard can prevent your teeth from being slammed together. By absorbing force, mouthguards can also help prohibit jaw fractures and neck trauma.
Prevent Broken Teeth
Another benefit of using a mouthguard is that it disperses the energy directed at the teeth. For example, if you are hit in the mouth with a hockey stick, the mouthguard spreads out the energy that accompanies the impact. This can prevent broken teeth by minimizing the likelihood that a single tooth will take the complete brunt of the force.
Avoid Lip and Tongue Injuries
Mouthguards cover the upper teeth entirely. This creates a functional barrier between your teeth and the rest of your mouth. This decreases the chance of lip and tongue injuries by making it more difficult for your teeth to cut your lip or your tongue.
With a customized mouthguard, you will make sure you get an effective and comfortable fit. It makes playing sports safer for your smile.
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