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An aching tooth may be caused by a tooth infection. This is a serious dental emergency, and requires immediate treatment with root canal therapy to save your tooth.
First, call the team at Acacia Dental Care. We offer same-day, after-hours, and weekend appointments for emergency patients. Call us at (414) 212-8291 and tell us about your situation, and we’ll squeeze you in ASAP.
If you’ve lost a tooth, recover it and put it in a container of cold milk. Come to our office within 1-2 hours, or it will not be possible to save the tooth. If you’ve lost a piece of dental work, simply put it into a small plastic baggie or container, and bring it with you to your appointment.
If you’re bleeding, use clean gauze, paper towels, or cotton balls to place pressure on your injury. To help with discomfort, you can take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen. Icing your face near the affected area may also help with pain and swelling.
The sooner you get help from Dr. Brookes, the better the outcome of your emergency will be. There’s no time to waste, so come to our office as scheduled, and get the emergency dental care you need in Shorewood.
1 in 4 adults in the U.S. has at least one cavity.
Keeping up with good brushing habits is integral to your oral health, and using the proper technique can help keep your mouth free from decay. Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes at a time. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle and use small, circular strokes to clean the front, back, and chewing surfaces of each tooth. You should spend about 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth. Use toothpaste that is ADA-approved and rich in fluoride, and don’t forget to replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3-4 months, or when the bristles start to look frayed or worn.
Daily flossing is the best way to dislodge plaque and bacteria to keep gum disease at bay, and can be easy once you know the proper technique. Begin by gathering about 24 inches of dental floss, wrapping most of it around one index or middle finger. Wind the remaining few inches around the index finger of your other hand, keeping about 1-inch of floss taut between your fingers and thumbs. Gently glide the floss between your teeth. If you’re having trouble getting the floss between your teeth, try not to force it, as it can slip and cause damage to your gums. Instead, use a gentle side-to-side rocking motion to get the floss where it needs to be. Once the floss is between your teeth, slide it into the gum line while following the c-shaped curve of the tooth. Repeat this process for both sides of every tooth. To help prevent the spread of bacteria, be sure to wind a new 1-inch section of floss before moving on to the next tooth.
Prophylactic cleanings, also known as “regular cleanings, ” are the cleanings you receive during your routine dental appointments. They are essential in helping to prevent decay and keep your breath fresh, and should be scheduled every 6 months. During your cleaning, we’ll remove any plaque, tartar, or bacterial buildup from your teeth and floss between them to ensure the continued health of your smile.
Periodontal cleanings are only necessary for patients with periodontal, or gum, disease, and are sometimes referred to as “deep cleanings.” These cleaning sessions are more thorough than regular cleanings, and are meant to halt the progression of gum disease. Your dentist or hygienist will carefully scrape away any plaque or tartar buildup from between your teeth and gums, and carefully smooth out the roots of your teeth, to eliminate pockets that can trap bacteria and allow gum disease to flourish. An important part of every periodontal maintenance routine, deep cleanings can help those suffering from gum disease to preserve their oral health.
The vast majority of dental insurance policies fully cover routine preventive care like cleanings, exams, and x-rays. Even if it’s not completely covered by your insurance plan, chances are it is at least partially covered. Certain plans may even cover optional treatments, like dental sealants and fluoride treatments. Get in touch with your provider for specific details about your insurance plan, or give us a call today and find out how we can help maximize your benefits.
Keeping up with preventive care can save you money, time, and future dental pain.
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