Signs You’ve Experienced Dental Trauma

/0 Comments/in , /by

Dental trauma can be a scary experience, but it’s important to know what signs to look for. While it may not always constitute an emergency, identifying the signs and symptoms of various grades of dental trauma is vital for your overall health. This article will discuss dental trauma and what you should do if you experience it.

The professional team at Colorado Root Canal Specialist of Thornton, CO, is proud to serve the local community with premium dental care services, restoring your teeth’ natural appearance and function so you can continue to enjoy your quality of life.

What is Dental Trauma?

Dental trauma is any injury to the mouth, teeth, or gums. It can range from a chipped tooth to a knocked-out tooth. Some common causes of dental trauma include sports injuries, falls, car accidents, and physical altercations.

What Should I Do When Faced With Dental Trauma?

If you experience dental trauma, seeking professional dental care is paramount. Some signs of dental trauma include:

  • Pain or sensitivity in the affected tooth or teeth
  • Swelling or bleeding in the gums
  • Chips, cracks, or fractures in the teeth

Your Local Root Canal Expert

If the dental trauma has caused nerve damage, you may need to see a root canal specialist. They can assess the damage and provide treatment options such as a root canal or extraction. In any case, acting quickly to prevent further damage and preserve the affected tooth or teeth is essential. You can regain your dental health and return to your daily activities with the proper care. If you are unsure, it is always better to contact a professional.

During your next consultation with the trained team at Colorado Root Canal Specialist of Thornton, CO, you can be sure you receive the proper care and guidance you and your family deserve.

 

3 Things to Do When You’re In Severe Tooth Pain

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Severe tooth pain may build over time, or it can come out of nowhere. No matter which issue you’re dealing with, though, it’s important to take action sooner rather than later. Tooth pain can resolve on its own, but you may not want to count on it. Here are three steps to alleviate your discomfort — both short-term and long-term.

1. Take Painkillers

Painkillers are meant to be a bridge until you can get real care for your teeth, but they can be an important bridge if you’re in enough pain. Over-the-counter medications, like Tylenol and Aleve, can go a long way if it’s 4 a.m. and your general dentist is sound asleep. You can also look for numbing gels or ointments at your local drugstore.

2. Try Home Remedies

Home remedies include a cold compress on your tooth, which can numb severe tooth pain in Thornton, CO, or gargling with salt water or mouthwash. These measures are temporary, but they can take away the worst of it so you can relax.

3. Work with an Emergency Dentist in Thornton, CO

We don’t always think of dentists in Thornton, CO, the same way we think of emergency doctors, but perhaps we need to adjust how we see the situation. For anyone who’s suffered an emergency, having a reliable professional to call when the pain strikes is a truly priceless benefit.

The staff at Colorado Root Canal Specialist knows that the longer you wait, the more likely it is the pain will become worse (and so will its consequences). It’s why we offer emergency care. If you want to have a dentist that will spring into action when there’s no time to waste, contact us today to see how we can help.

What Constitutes Dental Trauma?  

/0 Comments/in /by

When pain is experienced differently by everyone, the question of trauma isn’t always as clear-cut as it seems. It leads people to ask the question: just how bad is bad enough? We’ll look at what it is, how it’s treated, and why it’s important to get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible.

What Is Dental Trauma?

Dental trauma in Thornton, CO is defined as injury to any part of the mouth. So this includes gums, tongue, and teeth, but also extends to your jaw and lips too. Broken or lost teeth are typically what people think of when they think of trauma, but it’s worth pointing out that soft tissue injuries may be more painful (and more in need of treatment).

When to Seek Treatment

The truth is that most injuries will need some type of treatment, if not for the pain, then at least for the sake of your oral health. A dentist will be able to keep an issue from spreading, which can mean anything from saving your gums to stopping an infection before it starts. Plus, they may even be able to help you reconstruct a broken tooth. If you happen to have a piece of a fractured tooth, bring it in to see if it can be reattached.

What Causes Dental Trauma?

Dental trauma is often caused by accidents, whether they’re in a car or on a soccer field. However, they can also be caused by eating hard foods that impact a tooth in just the right way. Even extremely hot liquids can damage the soft tissue enough that you’ll need to see a dentist.

Find a Dentist in Thornton, CO

Dental trauma is usually treated in emergency sessions. A dentist in Thornton, CO will assess the extent of the trauma and perform any procedures that will mitigate the effects of the trauma on the spot. In addition, the staff should be able to give you some advice about what you can do between the time of the accident and the time you get to the office. If you’re looking for a staff that specializes in these kinds of emergencies, look no further than the talented experts at Colorado Root Canal Specialist.

 

What to Include in a Dental Emergency First Kit  

/0 Comments/in , , /by

If you are like most people, you have an emergency first aid kit at home. But do you have a dental emergency first aid kit? If you don’t, you are not alone. But any dentist in Thornton, CO will tell you that a dental emergency first aid kit is needed as well.

What to Include in a Dental Emergency First Aid Kit

First and foremost, you need to have your dentist’s information, such as the phone number in your dental emergency kit. This is because, in an emergency, you don’t want to have to stop and look for this information.

Here is what you need to put together a dental first aid kit for a dental emergency in Thornton, CO.

  • Cotton and cotton balls
  • Painkillers
  • Tooth stopping putty
  • Dental cement
  • Tea bags to control bleeding after surgery, biting your tongue, etc.
  • Toothache drops for relieving tooth pain
  • Salt for a salt rinse to help with wounds
  • Gauze
  • Applicator sticks
  • Stainless steel dental mirror and probe
  • Denture adhesive tape for securing a bridge or cap that has come out
  • Orabase paste to help with a sore mouth or canker sores
  • Clean cloths to use as compresses for bleeding
  • Stimudent plaque removers
  • New toothbrush and floss
  • Latex gloves

On-The-Go Dental Emergency First Aid Kit

In addition to a home dental emergency first aid kit, you also need to have an on-the-go dental first aid kit to help keep you and your family protected if an emergency occurs while you are not at home.

Dental Emergency Tip

It’s a good idea to write up some easy-to-follow instructions for different dental emergency scenarios. It’s easy to get flustered and not be able to think straight when an emergency occurs. So having step-by-step instructions for different dental emergencies can come in handy. Talk with your dentist in Thornton, CO if you need help with this.

IMPORTANT! What to Do if You Knock Out an Adult Tooth?

If you knock out an adult tooth, time is of the essence. Rinse your tooth with cold water and, if possible, put it back into the socket. If you are able to do this within five minutes of knocking out your tooth, you might be able to save it. If your tooth won’t go back into the socket, place it in a clean container of water, milk, or saliva (preferably milk) and contact your emergency dentist immediately. If you get to the dentist within 60 minutes, your tooth has a good chance of surviving if it has been stored properly.

What’s Next?

If you have a root canal emergency in Thornton, CO, please Contact Colorado Root Canal Specialist today. We specialize in root canals, root canal emergencies, and other dental trauma. Our top concern is to help you eliminate any tooth pain you’re having. So if you’re in pain, reach out today and we will help you get everything back to normal.

 

3 Reasons a Fractured Tooth May Require a Root Canal

/0 Comments/in , /by

When a tooth experiences some level of trauma, a crack may develop. In a lot of cases, a dentist will recommend a root canal in Thornton, CO as part of the treatment process if the tooth is salvageable. Root canals protect damaged teeth on a number of levels. Take a look at some reasons why a root canal may be recommended if you sustain a fractured tooth.

1. To protect the tooth from nerve exposure

A fractured tooth that has been severely damaged may leave the nerves within the tooth exposed. Nerve exposure can be especially painful, especially when your teeth are exposed to either hot or cold temperatures. You may feel throbbing pain that seems to linger long after exposure. A root canal may be an option to remove the damaged tooth structure and replace it so that the nerve is no longer exposed.

2. To prepare the tooth for a crown

Once a tooth is cracked, a dental crown may be recommended to fully restore the tooth’s structure, protect it, and restore the visual appearance. Before a dental crown is placed on the damaged tooth, the underlying tooth does have to be repaired. The crown itself does not protect the tooth fully after it has been damaged, so a root canal may be recommended.

3. To restore the internal structure of the tooth

When the internal structure of the tooth is damaged, this leaves the tooth vulnerable to decay. Bacteria and other microbes can get trapped inside the tooth, which may lead to decay from the inside. A root canal restores the internal structure of the tooth, which means risks of decay can potentially be lowered.

Talk to a Root Canal Specialist in Thornton, CO

A fractured tooth can be a serious dental health situation. Therefore, seeking treatment from a Thornton, CO dentist right away is important. Look for a dentist that is skilled in the area of endodontics to ensure your tooth gets the best attention. Reach out to us at Colorado Root Canal Specialist to schedule an appointment today.

Anatomy of a Toothache

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The pain associated with a toothache is usually intense. This is why most patients are desperate for relief when a toothache strikes — even to the point of asking for extraction to relieve the pain. Luckily, if your root canal dentist in Thornton, CO, sees you in time, they may be able to ease your discomfort without sacrificing the tooth that’s causing it. Many factors work together to cause a tooth to decay. If you better understand how a toothache occurs, you may better understand how a root canal resolves the issue.

Anatomy of a Toothache

Your teeth have more parts than most people realize, much more than just a root and a crown, including:

  • Periodontal Ligament — connects the tooth to the tooth socket
  • Cementum — protective, bone-like layer that covers the root
  • Blood Vessels and Nerves — run through the pulp cavity and the root canal
  • Root Canal — runs from the pulp chamber down through the root and into the jawbone
  • Enamel — covers the crown of the tooth
  • Dentin — hard tissue beneath the enamel
  • Pulp Chamber — located inside the crown of the tooth

When you have a cavity that’s left untreated, the decay eats through the enamel and the dentin into the pulp. This is when it may become painful, because the pulp chamber is filled with nerves. Infection may continue down the root canal and cause infection, or abscess, in the gums. The result is a toothache of epic proportions that may send you in a panic to your local dentist.

How Root Canal Therapy Can Help

Root canal therapy requires making an opening in your infected tooth, exposing the pulp and the root canal. These areas are then cleaned and flushed of infection. Your dentist then refills the root canal and the pulp with a permanent material that replaces the nerves and blood vessels. They then fill the opening and cap the tooth. Sometimes, they place a support within the root canal to help support the root. As a result, the tooth is saved, and your pain is alleviated. This makes treatment by root canal a great solution for the pain of an infected tooth.

For more information on root canal therapy in Thornton, CO, call Colorado Root Canal Specialist to schedule a consultation.

3 Most Common Causes of Dental Trauma

/0 Comments/in /by

Dental trauma can land you in the emergency dentist’s chair very quickly. Just like other emergencies, dental trauma comes on unexpectedly. No one plans on it, except your dentist in Thornton, CO. When you do have dental trauma emergency, you can rely on your Thornton dentist to be ready to act. Here are the three most common causes of dental trauma and advice on how to avoid them.

1. Sports Injuries

You don’t have to be a professional hockey player to wind up with dental trauma during a game. Sports injuries happen every day and everywhere, from the sports arena to the backyard. Examples of sports-incurred dental trauma include avulsed teeth, when a tooth is dislodged from its socket. This often happens on impact, such as when a piece of sports equipment (hockey stick, helmet, etc.) collides with the jaw. Mouth guards and helmets with mouth guards are a great way to avoid sports injuries to the mouth.

2. Vehicular Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are a top reason for dental trauma emergencies. Drivers and passengers often collide with something (or someone) inside the vehicle, such as the dashboard or even flying debris from the other vehicle. These types of accidents often result in dental emergencies in the form of fractured or broken teeth. The best way to avoid dental trauma during a motor vehicle accident include wearing seatbelts the way they are intended to be worn, not just over one shoulder, or using off-market seat belt adjusters. Also, make sure the vehicle airbags are operational and any recalls have been taken care of.

3. Miscellaneous Physical Impact

Physical impact is anything that hits suddenly and hard in the orofacial area. This includes incidents such as accidental falls, fistfights, etc. These experiences often lead to dental trauma in Thornton, CO in the form of knocked out teeth, root fractures and even breakage of the jaw bone. To avoid incidents like these, consider lifestyle changes like not drinking to access, avoiding altercations and living a more simplified life.

As stated, dental trauma comes on unexpectedly. But when these things do happen, it helps to be prepared by knowing a good dental trauma dentist in Thornton, CO, so you know who to go to when an emergency happens.

What Should You Do About That Toothache?

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Toothaches can be a real problem because they’re painful, and also because they’re an indication of a serious problem. In fact, tooth aches are dental emergencies! Knowing what to do about a toothache is important. Getting emergency dental care in Thornton, CO can help you avoid a lost tooth. If you’re experiencing a toothache, here’s how you can take care of your problem and take care of yourself.

Take an Anti-Inflammatory

Sometimes, taking an anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen can help with dental pain. Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and don’t take more than the recommended dosage.

Some over-the-counter medications, like acetaminophen, aren’t considered anti-inflammatories and will not help as much. Make sure the medicine you’re taking is the correct medicine for your needs.

Swish With Saltwater

Salt water is a natural disinfectant and can help with a minor toothache. Put 1/2 of a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm (but not hot) water, and mix until the salt has dissolved. Put the salt water in your mouth and swish like it’s a mouth wash. The salt water will kill bacteria and help dull the pain at the same time.

Get Advice From Your Dentist

Toothaches can be a dental emergency, so if you’re experiencing a toothache, it’s important to get advice from your dental professional in Thornton CO. Call your dentist as soon as the toothache begins to describe the problem and the severity. Your dentist can tell you whether you need to come in for an appointment, and can also give recommendations to help dull the pain.

Schedule a Dental Appointment As Soon As Possible

Don’t let a toothache ruin your day. If you’re experiencing tooth pain, contact a dental professional as soon as possible to find out the potential cause and what can be done about it. At Colorado Root Canal Specialist, we can provide advice and help you decide whether you need a root canal or some other form of tooth repair or treatment. Call today to make an appointment and take care of your oral hygiene!

signs of dental trauma

Common Symptoms of Dental Trauma

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Dental trauma occurs when something impactful affects the inside of the mouth, lips, teeth, gums, tongue or jawbone. Most often, your dentist in Thornton sees dental trauma after a physical incident, such as a sports injury, vehicle accident, human physical altercation or a fall. Dental trauma can be very serious and should always be attended to by a dentist. However, sometimes dental trauma isn’t obvious. In that case, it can go untreated and quickly develop into something even more serious. Here are some common signs of dental trauma.

Fractures

Following an incident of some kind, a fracture may develop in a tooth or jawbone. Fractures can be so small that they can only be seen with an x-ray. They also vary as to the depth that they occur. Superficial fractures may occur on the surface of the teeth or bone and cause little trouble. But deeper fractures can make the tooth more vulnerable to bacteria, easily breakable and more sensitive to heat or cold. If you suddenly have one or more sensitive teeth after an incident, chances are you may have fractured a tooth. Deep fractures in the jawbone can lead to TMJ and other serious problems, including tooth loss.

Tooth Displacement

Another common symptom of dental trauma may be a loose tooth or a permanent tooth that’s been knocked out of its socket. These are both situations where you’ll need to see a dentist right away. Loose teeth from dental trauma can often be saved by your Thornton dentist, but you need to make an appointment as soon as possible. Even a tooth that’s been knocked out as a small chance of being saved, and if you contact your dentist immediately.

Earache and Vertigo

Patients are often surprised to discover that their sudden painful earache is the result of dental trauma along the jawbone. Anytime the jawbone is injured, the ear may be affected. You may even have vertigo, since the ear is primarily responsible for balance and equilibrium. Don’t ignore an earache or dizziness, especially if it occurs soon after an incident.

Your mouth and jaw are not meant to be hit. Your teeth, especially, are not well-protected against physical trauma. Anytime you experience an incident and suspect dental trauma, contact your dentist for a thorough exam.

 

Oh No! A Broken Tooth! How to React During Major Dental Trauma

/0 Comments/in , /by

A fall, a car accident, a sudden blow to the mouth—all of these situations can lead to a broken tooth, and it can definitely be a scary situation. Whether your tooth is cracked, broken, chipped, or completely knocked out, it is critical that you get to a dentist right away for help. Here is a quick look at a few things to keep in mind during these worrisome events.

You should rinse out your mouth and tend to any bleeding.

If you have debris in your mouth, go ahead and get a glass of warm water and gently swirl it around your mouth. Spit the water into another glass just in case there are bits of your broken tooth you need to try to save to show the dentist. Once you have rinsed your mouth, check to see if your mouth is bleeding. If a tooth has been completely knocked out of place, you are bound to see a bit of blood. Gently applying pressure to the bleeding area with clean gauze can help stop the bleeding.

Protect the exposed area where the tooth has been broken.

The area where the tooth has broken must be carefully protected. Avoid putting any more pressure on the damaged tooth when you speak, move your lips, or bite down. Doing so may cause further damage to either the tooth or the soft tissue supporting the tooth. It is best not to eat or drink anything until you can get to the dentist for advice.

Take over-the-counter medication for pain.

You may have some sensitivity if the break has exposed a nerve in the tooth. However, a broken tooth can be painful due to trauma to the soft tissues in your mouth. Even if you are not feeling much pain, go ahead and take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Ibuprofen may help to reduce inflammation in addition to offering pain relief. You can also cover the tooth with clean gauze to keep airflow away.

Reach Out to an Emergency Dentist in Thornton

A broken or damaged tooth does not have to mean permanent damage to your smile or self-confidence. If you have a dental emergency, reach out to us at Colorado Root Canal Specialist in Thornton, CO to get an appointment.