Man with Dental Pain

Modern dentistry offers several ways to repair and save teeth that are diseased or damaged. However, not all teeth can be saved. There are situations that make tooth removal a necessary procedure. If your dentist has recommended an extraction, you can trust that it is for the greater good of your overall oral health.

When it comes to tooth extraction, there are two basic types: simple extractions and surgical extractions. In general, a permanent tooth needs to be removed when it no longer serves a functional place in your mouth or is damaged beyond repair. Regardless of the reason for your tooth removal, you can trust The Smile Lounge to carry out your procedure in the most comfortable and seamless manner possible.

What are the Indications for Tooth Removal?

Here are some of the most common reasons why a tooth needs to be professionally removed by your dentist:

Wisdom Teeth

One of the most common reasons for surgical extraction is for wisdom teeth removal. Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars in the mouth, but they often cause more harm than good. Wisdom teeth need to be removed when they are impacted or have the potential to erupt improperly. When these back molars do not have room to emerge, it can lead to cysts, abscesses, decay and other concerns around the impacted teeth. Since they do not serve a true functional role within your mouth, it is typically best to have the wisdom teeth extracted before problems develop.

Trauma

Accidents happen. If they involve your teeth, the damage may be too extensive to repair with a filling, veneer or crown. In such cases, you may need to extract the damaged tooth and consider an implant.

Decay, Periodontal Disease and Infection

When decay or infection within a tooth goes untreated, it can progress to a severe stage that warrants tooth removal. This is necessary to restore health and comfort to your smile as well as save your adjacent teeth from spreading disease.

Crowding

It is not uncommon for adolescents to need tooth extraction prior to orthodontic treatment. Extraction due to crowding is sometimes necessary so that orthodontic treatment can be more effective and efficient.

Our Dentists Can Determine What’s Best For You

If you have a tooth that is bothering you, don’t assume you will need it removed. We have a full menu of dental services to repair and restore your teeth. However, if you do need a dental extraction, you can trust our team to provide superior, patient-centered care. We also offer the tooth replacement solutions you may need after the tooth is removed. Call The Smile Lounge today to learn more.

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A Broken Molar is a Dental Emergency

When it comes to eating, your molars do a lot of work. The back teeth were specifically designed with rough surfaces to help break down foods to make them easily swallowed and digested. Yet, with so much usage, the molars are susceptible to cracking and breaking.

The molars absorb most of the force when you chew. Chewing hard types of foods like pretzels, hard candies, and ice can lead to a crack in the tooth enamel. Grinding and clenching the teeth can also crack the molars. In these instances, you may not know precisely when it happens because a crack in a tooth is not always painful. However, if a crack leads to a broken tooth, there will typically be intense pain and sensitivity while eating or drinking hot or cold foods or putting any pressure on the tooth.

A broken molar will not heal on its own. You need to seek immediate care from your dentist as a broken tooth is a dental emergency. If a broken tooth is not treated quickly, not only will you suffer from extreme pain, but your tooth will be vulnerable to decay. Bacteria are present inside the mouth by the millions, and if they reach the inner layers of a tooth, they can cause irreversible damage. It is also an incredibly serious condition because damage to one tooth leaves the neighboring teeth susceptible to decay and damage.

If you experience a sudden, sharp pain or an injury to a tooth that results in a break, take these steps:

  1. If any piece of the tooth breaks off, find it and place it in a small cup with milk or your own saliva.
  2. Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area of the affected tooth.
  3. Call your dentist right away!
  4. Place a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to help reduce swelling.
  5. If you are in extreme pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever to help control your pain.
  6. Don’t panic.

These simple steps can help save your smile. Knowing what to do in an emergency before an emergency happens can help you deal with the problem with greater confidence.

At The Smile Lounge, we are dedicated to providing the best dental care services to all our patients. If you experience a broken molar, cracked tooth, or any other oral damage, please contact our practice immediately!

Posted on Behalf of The Smile Lounge

woman with tooth pain

If you think you may have a dental emergency it is important to know what to do to ensure your issue is addressed as soon as possible. Our office provides same day or next day appointments to accommodate our patients that need immediate treatment.

One of the most common dental emergencies that patients experience is tooth pain. There are tips you can try at home if the tooth pain does not go away while you wait for an appointment in our office. Pain is a way of our body sending a message that something is wrong. Typically, if patients experience pain this means there is a problem that must be addressed.

There are many causes for tooth pain such as tooth decay, issues with a filling, tooth fracture, or infection. If you have any of the below signs you may have an infection, and you must be seen right away.

• Fever
• Swollen or red gums
• Blood or pus around tooth
• Throbbing pain that does not go away
• Swollen or tender face or jaw

What Can I Do at Home to Relieve Tooth Pain?

There are remedies patients can use at home to help treat tooth pain while they wait to be seen in our office. These remedies can help reduce pain and keep you comfortable.

• Take an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen.
• Use a pain relief gel on the area.
• Apply a cold compress covered with a cloth to the area to help reduce inflammation for 20 minutes each time.
• If you have a hot compress this can also be used on the area to help relieve pain.
• Peppermint tea bags can be used on the area and are known to help ease oral pain.
• Clove oil can be used on the area and is known to help reduce inflammation or numb oral pain.

Looking to Make an Appointment to Address Tooth Pain?

If you have tooth pain that does not go away we recommend making an appointment to be seen in our office. Our staff will provide a thorough exam to help identify the cause and address your tooth pain. X-rays may be taken to get a closer look at the issue. We will recommend treatment options, and always address serious issues immediately.

Patients can prevent tooth pain by practicing good oral hygiene habits at home. Brushing and flossing each day is important as well as eating a healthy diet, and avoiding high sugar foods or drinks. We also recommend to avoid hard food items that may cause a crack or injury to your teeth. Regular dental cleanings and exams in our office can help keep your mouth and teeth feeling great.

If you have tooth pain and would like to make an appointment, please call our office and our staff will make sure you are seen as soon as possible!