Patient Education

Patients education is an important factor in a patients Oral Health and Overall Health. Educating your self and your family can lead to healthy gums, teeth, and life style.

Researchers are finding possible links between periodontal infections and other diseases throughout the body. Current studies suggest that there may be a link between periodontal (gum) disease, heart disease and other health conditions. In fact, research suggests that gum disease may be a more serious risk factor for heart disease than hypertension, smoking, cholesterol, gender and age.

New studies suggest that people who have gum disease seem to be at a higher risk for
heart attacks, although no one is certain how this relationship works. Your oral health affects your overall health, but the studies that will find exactly why these problems are linked are still underway.

Patient Educational Links

Dental Emergencies

What can I do to be prepared?

Pack an emergency dental care kit, including:

Dentist's phone numbers (home and office)
Saline Solution
Handkerchief
Gauze
Small container with lid
Ibuprofen (Not aspirin. Aspirin is an anti-coagulant, which may cause excessive bleeding in a dental emergency.)

HELP! I've Got

Crown Came Off
Broken Tooth Or Filling Came Out
Aches & Pains
Sensitivity
Swelling
When Tissue is Injured
Moderate Fracture
Minor Fracture
When a tooth is Fractured
When a tooth is pushed out of position
When a tooth is knocked out

Most people have a problem with their mouth or teeth at some point in time. It can be difficult to know if a problem is deadly serious or is just a minor irritation.

If the dental office is open, the first choice is to call the office.

Set up an appointment to discuss the problem with a dentist. If it is after hours, the following guideline may help you decide your course of action.

What is a Dental Emergency?

Injuries to the mouth may include teeth that are knocked out (avulsed), forced out of position and loosened (extruded) or fractured. In addition, lips, gums or cheeks are often cut. Oral injuries are often painful and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible.

How soon should I see a dentist?

Immediately getting to a dentist with 30 minutes can make the difference between saving or losing a tooth.

When a tooth is knocked out:

Immediately call your dentist for an emergency appointment. Handle the tooth by the crown, Not the root. Touching the root (the part of the tooth below the gum) can damage cells necessary for bone re-attachment.

Gently rinse the tooth in water to remove dirt. Do Not scrub. Do Not try to replace the tooth into the socket, but place the clean tooth in your mouth between the cheek and gum to keep it moist. It is important not to let the tooth dry out If it is not possible to store the tooth in the mouth of the injured person, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze and immerse in milk.

When a tooth is pushed out of position:

Attempt to reposition the tooth to its normal alignment using very light finger pressure, but do Not force the tooth. Bite down to keep the tooth from moving. The dentist may splint the tooth in place to the two healthy teeth next to the loose tooth.

When a tooth is fractured:

Rinse mouth with warm water. Use an ice pack or cold compress to reduce swelling. Use ibuprofen, Not aspirin, for pain. Immediately get to your dentist, who will determine treatment based on how badly the tooth is broken. Only a dentist can tell how bad the break is.

Minor fracture:

Minor fractures can be smoothed by your dentist with a sand- paper disc or simply left alone. Another option is to restore the tooth with a composite restoration. In either case, treat the tooth with care for several days.

Moderate fracture:

Moderate fractures include damage to the enamel, dentin and/or pulp. If the pulp is not permanently damaged, the tooth may be restored with a full permanent crown. If pulpal damage does occur, further dental treatment will be required.

Severe fracture:

Severe fractures often mean a traumatized tooth with slim chance of recovery.

When tissue is injured:

Injuries to the inside of the mouth include tears, puncture wounds and lacerations to the cheek, lips or tongue. The wound should be cleaned right away with warm water, and the injured person taken to a hospital emergency room for the necessary care. Bleeding from a tongue laceration can be reduced by pulling the tongue forward and using gauze to place pressure on the wound.

Swelling:

If you have a swelling that makes it difficult to swallow or breathe, you should go to the emergency room immediately. All swellings should be evaluated by a dentist. If the swelling is minor, moist heat will many times stabilize the swelling until the office reopens. Hot, salt-water holds may help relieve swelling in the mouth.

Hot Salt-Water Hold
1 teacup hot water (the temperature you normally drink tea or soup)
1 teaspoon salt
Stir salt into hot water. Take a sip of saltwater and hold it on the swollen or painful area until it is mouth temperature. Repeat until gone. Use as often as you like.

Swelling is usually caused by infection. If the swelling is more than minor, an antibiotic may be needed. Call the dentist.

Sensitivity:

Sensitivity is a sharp pain that stops immediately. Teeth can be sensitive to cold, hot, sweets, touch (such as a toothbrush), biting tooth to tooth, biting on food. Sensitivities are not emergencies. However, sensitivity is many times the first warning of future trouble. Have it evaluated by a dentist.

Aches and Pains:

An ache is a deep pain that may throb and that usually lasts for long periods. An ache may be a sign of a serious problem. Over the counter painkillers (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc) may be used until the office reopens. Use the one that works best for you, but do not overdose. A Hot Salt-water Hold may help relieve the pain. Do not ignore aches and pains; have them evaluated before they get worse.

Broken Tooth or Filling Came Out:

This is not an emergency, but should be evaluated at the first available appointment. Keep the tooth clean. If the edge is sharp or the tooth is sensitive, the hole may be filled with wax or cotton.

Crown Came Off:

Do not loose the crown. If you are comfortable with the crown off, leave it off until you can visit the dentist. If this is not an option, place the crown back on the tooth. A little toothpaste or denture adhesive will help hold the crown in place. Be very careful not to swallow or aspirate the crown.

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