If you’re in need of a qualified Duncan, OK, emergency dentist, then look no further than Chisholm Trail Smile Center. Dr. Matthew L. Bridges and his compassionate team are here to address all of your oral health needs, even during a crisis. Don’t waste a single second–call our team now at (580) 255-4880 or send us a message online here.

Meanwhile, Dr. Bridges explores four ways to handle dental emergencies. Using this information could help you save your natural teeth and protect your oral health.

1. Don’t Panic

Emergencies are scary, but panicking can make matters worse. So, if you or a loved one recently suffered dental trauma, then remain calm and assess the situation. If there is excessive bleeding or pain, then call 911 or head to your nearest hospital’s emergency room. 

If you don’t think a call to 911 or a trip to the emergency room is necessary, then call our Duncan emergency dentist immediately. Our team prioritizes dental emergencies, so we fit you into our schedule immediately for urgent care.

2. Keep Loose or Knocked-out Teeth Safe

A permanent tooth that gets loose or knocked out can cause patients to worry that they’ll lose that tooth forever. However, that may not be the case if patients act quickly and smoothly.

Our emergency dentist may be able to salvage wiggly permanent teeth. But, patients must take extra care to leave the tooth undisturbed until Dr. Bridges can assess the damage. Do not touch it with your fingers or tongue. Simply leave it alone until Dr. Bridges can find a way to stabilize the tooth.

But, if the tooth is already knocked out, then there is a different protocol. Patients with a knocked-out tooth should carefully preserve the tooth until Dr. Bridges can see them. So, try putting the tooth back into the socket to keep it safe and moist. If it is too painful to put the tooth back, then simply keep the tooth tucked in the cheek space or in a glass of milk.

3. Control Bleeding

Patients who are bleeding (but not enough to warrant a trip to the hospital) should try to control the bleeding while they wait to see our emergency dentist. We suggest using clean gauze pads and light pressure to staunch the flow of blood.

4. Keep Bacteria at Bay

Keeping the hands and mouth clean while dealing with a dental emergency is critical. Otherwise, an oral infection can worsen the situation and lead to complications down the line (like life-threatening sepsis). So, be sure to wash your hands, and keep the mouth clean by gently rinsing with antiseptic mouthwash or warm saltwater.

Need help? Call our Duncan emergency dentist today!

If you’ve recently experienced a dental crisis, then don’t delay–call Chisholm Trail Smile Center now. Our emergency dentist can help you quickly repair your smile for continued comfort and optimal health.

Call (580) 255-4880 or send us a message here to get started.

The post Our Duncan Emergency Dentist Tells You What to Do In a Dental Crisis appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

• Your teeth are loose or have fallen out
• You are feeling significant oral discomfort
• Your jaw, face, or neck are swollen

In case of a dental emergency, please follow these four suggestions.

1. Remain Calm and Focused

Decision-making can be difficult in times of crisis. However, patients can make more informed decisions by remaining composed and slowing down. Ironically, Professor Barry Schwartz of Swarthmore College discovered that the most prominent reason people fail to decide is their fear of making the wrong choice. Instead of leaving you out in the cold to wonder what the next correct steps are in case of a dental emergency, we’ve lined them out for you.

1. Stay calm.
2. Take a moment to assess the damage.
3. Schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist in your local area.
4. Arrange a ride to and from the dental clinic. (In case you may not be in the mental state to operate a moving vehicle.)

2. Safely Manage Discomfort

While dental emergency symptoms vary from case to case, it’s vital to control adverse effects as much as possible until visiting the emergency dental clinic. It’s no secret oral pain can be debilitating, and toothache is the most common cause of oral pain. For mild to moderate pain, take NSAIDs. However, it’s important to note that self-medication through excess pain relievers and drugs is dangerous. If the discomfort becomes unbearable, please visit the emergency room until you can see the emergency dentist. Whether your mouth hurts from an abscess, dental injury, or other reasons, an emergency dentist can help treat the root cause of your pain for prolonged relief. 

3. Rinse with Saltwater

Although “rubbing salt in a wound” is typically synonymous with making an event worse, saltwater can help keep the mouth hygienic. Many oral bacteria are salt-sensitive, so rinsing with saltwater can eliminate bacteria that can cause wounds to worsen. Creating a saline rinse is simple: mix one teaspoon of salt with eight ounces of water. 

It’s important to note that increasing the water does not increase the efficiency of killing bacteria. Simply, warm water only helps the salt dissolve faster.

4. Abstain from Eating and Drinking

Again, it’s essential to keep an oral wound as clean as possible before visiting the emergency dentist. Besides water, we advise patients to avoid eating and drinking until they have been checked out and received necessary instructions for mealtimes. 

When you eat and drink, pressures in the mouth change. Therefore, consuming foods and fluids can increase the risk of damage, levels of discomfort, and irritation. The act of chewing puts pressure on the teeth, which can be detrimental in many dental emergencies. For example, if a tooth is fractured, it may eventually fall apart due to chewing forces. Likewise, using a straw reduces air pressure in the mouth and may lead to a dry socket if a tooth is newly missing.

To play it safe, patients must keep their mouths relaxed and rest until they visit the emergency dentist.

Call Our Emergency Dentist Right Now

To summarize, a dental emergency can be alarming, but it’s essential to follow the three C’s and be (1) calm, (2) clean, and (3) cautious before visiting the emergency dentist. Whether someone has suffered from dental trauma or an oral health complication has escalated, visiting an emergency dentist may turn out to be necessary. Give our experienced emergency dental team a ring as soon as possible to find out how we can help. Call (580)-255-4880 or contact us online to schedule an emergency dental appointment in Duncan, OK.

The post Four Pointers from an Emergency Dentist appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

Not sure what necessitates urgent dental care? Let’s discuss common signs of a dental emergency and how to handle it. 

Signs of a Dental Emergency

Trauma like a car accident or sports injury may require urgent dental care. In those cases, it is best to seek immediate medical attention at a nearby emergency room. Nonetheless, an emergency dentist should still be contacted as soon as possible following an injury to the mouth. 

Dental emergencies do not always have to be the result of trauma. Indications of a dental emergency unaccompanied by an injury might include:

• Inflamed or bleeding gums. If you notice that your gums are red or bleeding, then these might be the early signs of gum disease. Treatment should be administered promptly to avoid infection or tooth loss.
• Loose teeth or teeth that fall out. Wiggly teeth in young children is normal; loose teeth in adults is not. If you have loose teeth or teeth that have fallen out, an emergency dentist will be able to pinpoint the issue and remediate the problem.
• A toothache or mouth pain. Oral pain can indicate something more serious, like a cracked tooth or an abscess. Regardless of the cause, aches and pains in the mouth need to be addressed immediately.
• Swollen face, jaw, or neck. Swelling can be the sign of an infected tooth, a cyst, or a tumor.
• A sore mouth or changes in tongue texture. Noticing persistent mouth soreness or new lumps and bumps on your tongue? These might be the signs of oral cancer, and you should contact an emergency dentist immediately.
• Extreme tooth sensitivity. Not only is tooth sensitivity annoying, but it could also mean that the nerves of the tooth are exposed. If this is the case, then emergency care is needed to protect the delicate nerves from injury or infection.

What To Do In The Case of an Emergency

The first thing to do in a dental emergency is to stay calm. Next, schedule an emergency dental visit. Until then, here are some ways to deal with common dental emergencies:

• A Loose tooth. Leave it alone! A dentist can stabilize the tooth at your visit, but leaving it alone will prevent the tooth from falling out.
• A tooth that’s been knocked out. If you can make it to a dentist quickly, then a knocked out tooth might be salvageable. Try to put the tooth gently back into the socket. If that’s not possible, then keep the tooth hydrated in either your mouth or a glass of milk.
• An abscessed tooth. Rinse your mouth with salt water. The salt water will temporarily relieve the pain while also keeping the area clean.
• A cracked or fractured tooth. Ice packs and over-the-counter pain medications will help with pain and swelling until you can see a dentist.
• A loose dental crown. A loose dental crown can fall off and accidentally be ingested. Take extra precautions while eating or brushing your teeth.

Marlow Dentist for Emergencies

Accidents happen to the best of us. If you’re in need of an emergency dentist, let Dr. Bridges and his attentive team take care of you. Call our office at (580)-255-4880 or contact us online. 

The post What to Know About Dental Emergencies appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

Dr. Matthew Bridges provides restorative dentistry and emergency appointments in our Duncan OK dental office. Call (580) 255-4880 today or make an appointment through our website.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Toothache

If there’s one ultimate truth in dentistry, it’s that toothaches don’t get better on their own. Headaches? Yes. Sprained ankles? Yes. Even a case of food poisoning will work itself out if you give the body the rest and care it needs. Cavities are another story. Once a hole has formed in your tooth enamel, the body cannot repair that hole. After the teeth cut through the gums, there’s no way to “regrow” enamel. It may take many months, or even years, but eventually a cavity is going to get bigger and become more painful. Eventually, if too much of the tooth has been damaged, we may not be able to save it, and the only treatment will be a dental extraction.

There are other conditions besides tooth decay that can result in a toothache, of course. Gum recession can cause the roots to become sensitive, for example. A deep crack or fracture can also cause pain. However, even if there’s no cavity present, that doesn’t mean you won’t develop one. Cracks make teeth more vulnerable to decay. When left unrestored, they will only worsen until the tooth becomes too damaged, structurally, to be saved.

The Best Way to Prevent a Dental Extraction

If you have a problem tooth, the best way to prevent losing it is to seek help as early as possible. The sooner you bring us the tooth, the greater the odds we’ll be able to restore it with a filling, root canal treatment, or dental crown. Avoiding the problem will never make it “go away.”

When a cavity extends into the enamel, we can remove the bacteria and decayed tooth matter conservatively and apply a filling to restore the tooth’s structure. If you are already feeling pain, however, there’s a good chance the decay has reached the dentin or the pulp chamber. When a cavity extends into the pulp chamber, a root canal becomes necessary to prevent the infection from traveling to the bloodstream. If much of the upper portion of the tooth has been damaged, a dental crown can be applied to replace and protect the part of the tooth you see above the gum line.

If You Need a Dental Extraction

No one wants to lose a permanent tooth, but there are several ways to replace a tooth if a dental extraction is needed. It’s really not the end of the world—and dental extractions are fast and comfortable at Chisholm Trail Smile Center. Bridgework and dental implants can replace a missing tooth, so your smile and chewing power can stay intact.

Bring Us Your Toothaches

If you or a family member has a painful tooth, contact our Duncan OK office to make an appointment. We provide gentle laser dentistry that makes treatment lass traumatic, and offer sedation option for patients with dental anxiety. Call (580) 255-4880 today or make an appointment through our website.

The post Don’t Let a Toothache Turn into a Dental Extraction! appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

Dr. Matthew Bridges encourages all his patients to stay calm when experiencing dental emergencies, Duncan OK, and call us as soon as possible. We can help you assess your problem, determine whether the situation is an emergency, and make you an appointment to get you seen as soon as possible. Whether you are already a patient or are looking for a dentist, take a moment to add us to your contacts now, so you’ll never be stuck looking for help. Contact Chisholm Trail Smile Center for your dental emergencies, Duncan OK, at 580-255-4880.

In the meantime, here are some general points of advice, which may help you in the future.

A Knocked-Out Tooth

Knocked-out teeth are common emergencies among athletes young and old, but can happen due to many different types of accidents. If you or a family member has had a tooth knocked out and have recovered the tooth, put it into a small container of milk or saliva and bring it to us ASAP.

A knocked-out tooth can sometimes be reattached in the socket, so it’s important to handle the tooth as little as possible. Do not clean the tooth, as this may disrupt the delicate connective tissues that may make reattachment possible. If the tooth does not take, or if the tooth has been broken in the process, we can help you understand your options for tooth replacement, such as dental bridges and dental implants. We most definitely consider a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency, so don’t hesitate to contact us at any hour if this happens to you!

A Cracked Tooth or Damaged Crown

A cracked or broken tooth is not usually considered an emergency unless it is causing significant pain and limiting your ability to chew or speak normally. Call us if this happens to you and we will schedule a next-available appointment to look at your tooth.
A cracked or dislodged crown should also be seen as soon as possible, especially if the tooth is very sensitive. If the dislodged crown is intact, you may be able to temporarily replace it yourself to keep it in place and protect the tooth until your appointment. Check your local pharmacy for an over-the-counter crown repair kit, which will have a temporary dental adhesive to keep it in place.
In the mean time, limit your diet to soft foods and use the tooth as little as possible. Avoid foods that are chewy or crunchy. Over-the-counter NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may help reduce any pain; follow the package directions for dosage.

Toothache

Toothaches can be nagging, throbbing, sporadic, or constant. They usually indicate deep dental decay, but they can also result from deep cracks or—worse—an abscess. A toothache that is so severe that it disrupts your ability to sleep or perform your usual routines is always a dental emergency. We never want to see anyone suffer in silence, so call us at any hour and we will make an appointment for you.

If a toothache is accompanied by swelling in the face or jaw, this usually indicates a dental abscess and will require a tooth extraction. If your toothache is extremely painful, but is not accompanied by swelling, you may need root canal therapy to address the infection but often will be able to keep the tooth. If your toothache is accompanied by a fever, go directly to an emergency medical clinic or ER, as you may have developed a life-threatening systemic infection.

For a non-emergency toothache, topical anesthetics such as eugenol (clove oil) can be effective at numbing dental pain. NSAIDs can also reduce the pain of a toothache that comes and goes while you wait for your appointment. Even an ice pack applied to the cheek (not inside the mouth, however) can reduce your pain. Stick with liquids and soft foods to avoid aggravating the tooth, as well.

Call Chisholm Trail Smile Center for Dental Emergencies, Duncan OK

For any dental crisis, call us and a member of our staff will listen to your symptoms. Depending on the nature of the situation, we will schedule an emergency or next-available appointment and advise you of the steps you should take to protect your health and reduce sensitivity until your appointment. Contact Chisholm Trail Smile Center for your dental emergencies, Duncan OK, at 580-255-4880.

The post Top Tips for Dental Emergencies, Duncan OK appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

Regardless of the cause, no one wants to hear that they’re going to need a tooth removed! Losing a permanent tooth always feels like a loss, but the good news is that it clears the way for better oral health. Plus, if you have been in constant pain due to a deep cavity, you will be very relieved when the problem tooth is finally out! If you are looking at a possible dental extraction, it’s good to know what to expect afterwards, in both the short-and the long-term.

Getting a Dental Extraction

Most extractions of erupted teeth are a fairly straightforward procedure. If the tooth is in one piece, the process will probably take only a few minutes. Simple extractions usually require only a local anesthetic, and you can usually resume eating soft foods on the same day. If your tooth is unerupted, impacted, or has separated into more than one piece, however, it may require oral surgery to remove it. During your consultation, we will take x-rays of the affected tooth and let you know what to expect.

After the procedure, you may experience some bleeding from the extraction site. We will provide you with some gauze to bite down on, to encourage the blood to clot. In the first hours after an extraction, you should avoid all sucking, spitting, smoking, or chewing. Replace the gauze if you are still experiencing bleeding after the first 45 minutes and try to use your mouth as little as possible. With time and rest, the bleeding should stop. (Call us if it does not!)

Do not try to touch or clean the extraction site for the first day. You may brush your teeth as usual, but take care not to irritate the site of your extraction. The more you can leave it alone, the quicker it will heal. If you are experiencing any sensitivity, recommended doses of over-the-counter NSAID-type painkillers (ibuprofen or naproxen) can usually help you manage the pain.

Replacing A Single Lost Tooth

After your mouth has had a chance to heal, make another appointment and we’ll tell you about your options for replacing the missing tooth. Some patients make the mistake of thinking they don’t need to have the tooth replaced (“I have plenty more teeth I can use…”) but the truth is that it does need to be replaced.

When a gap is created in the mouth, it can cause a number of changes to your bite and alignment that make you more likely to lose more teeth. As time passes, nearby teeth start to shift inward toward the open space, which can upset how your teeth fit together when you bite and chew. Ultimately this can cause some teeth to endure more damage from normal use; this may lead to teeth becoming cracked or worn down. It can also cause changes in your bite that may lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which can cause painful symptoms.

Don’t let a dental extraction lead you to lose more teeth in the future. A dental bridge or dental implant and crown can help you maintain proper tooth alignment and give you back the function you lost.

Call us to make an appointment and we’ll help you decide which type of restoration is right for you. Call (580) 255-4880 after your dental extraction (Duncan OK) or schedule an appointment online to replace your missing tooth.

Chisholm Trail Smile Center – Dental Extraction Duncan, OK

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If you have been in accident or sustained an injury that may involve broken bones or a bleeding wound, always seek medical attention before you call the dentist! Otherwise, call our office and we’ll arrange an appointment as soon as possible.

Need a Duncan, OK Emergency Dentist? Call us at (580) 255-4880! Not having an emergency at the moment? Save time by putting our number in your phone today under “emergency dentist.”

A Knocked-Out Tooth

A knocked-out tooth is always considered a dental emergency. Why? In many cases, it’s possible to re-attach the tooth if it is handled correctly, and if you can get to a dentist fast enough.

If a tooth has been knocked out:

1. Put the tooth in a small, clean container of milk, water, or saliva.
2. Do not clean the tooth, as you may accidentally remove the connective tissues that may make reattachment possible.
3. Bite down on a clean cloth or sterile gauze if you are experiencing any bleeding.
4. Call Chisholm Trail Smile Center at (580) 255-4880 and let us know you have a knocked-out tooth you are bringing in. Leave a message with our answering service if it is after hours and a member of our staff will call you back promptly.

Do not try to reattach the tooth the tooth yourself. Always seek the help of a professional, as improper pressure on the tooth or gum tissue can lead to infection or injury.

If your tooth cannot be reattached, we can help you understand your options for tooth replacement, such as a dental bridge or dental implant and crown.

A knocked-out baby tooth is not typically considered an emergency. Baby teeth should not be reattached, as this may damage the adult teeth developing in the jaw. Depending on the tooth and age of the child, the tooth may need to be replaced with a prosthetic to preserve the child’s dental function and proper speech.

Broken, Chipped, or Cracked Tooth

It doesn’t take much to break a tooth—a bike accident, sports mishap, or injury to the face can easily create enough pressure to fracture a tooth. Although a broken tooth may seem like an emergency, unless you are in pain, you can take your time getting to the dentist. Depending on the size of the break or chip, we may treat you with a crown, veneer, or dental bonding to restore the appearance and function of the tooth.

If the tooth has a deep crack that extends beneath the gum line or causes sensitivity, call us right away,  so we can arrange a next-available appointment for you. A deep crack can leave the tooth vulnerable to infection and should not be ignored.

Damaged Dental Work

It can happen to anyone; a hard bit of nut shell in a brownie or an unpopped popcorn kernel is often all it takes to break or dislodge a crown. Sticky foods and candies are often the cause behind a dislodged filling, especially if it’s approaching the end of its lifespan.

If your dental work comes loose, don’t panic. Call us, and we’ll arrange a next-available appointment for you.  If you can replace the crown or filling, do this. This will protect the tooth until we get the chance to look at it. If the crown or filling does not want to stay in place, you can usually find temporary dental cement in a “dental repair kit” from your local drugstore. Even a small piece of chewed sugarless gum can provide enough adhesion to keep it in place and prevent pain and sensitivity until your appointment.

Severe Toothache

The worst of all dental emergencies is the dreaded severe toothache. When you have a throbbing toothache, there’s nothing else you want to do except get to the dentist. You can’t eat, sleep, or carry on with your usual routine, as the pain is often excruciating.

A severe toothache is often the result of decay that reaches the inside of the tooth (where the nerve endings are) and we will treat you with a root canal therapy and filling to stop the pain and restore your tooth. A bad toothache does not always indicate the presence of a cavity; sometimes a crack, particle of food, or gum injury can be equally painful. Regardless of the cause, we will get to the bottom of your pain, and fix your tooth if possible.

Toothache? Broken Tooth? If you are in pain, we are here for you! Call Chisholm Trail Smile Center at (580) 255-4880 for a Duncan, OK emergency dentist.

The post Do You Need a Duncan, OK Emergency Dentist? appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

Although it can be a little bit alarming when your child loses their first tooth, it can also be a joyous occasion since it usually means a trip from the tooth fairy is in order. However, when your 16-year old son loses a tooth, it is cause for concern and should be considered a serious dental emergency.

Dental emergencies are certain to happen, especially if your child plays contact sports or rough plays. They can even happen during the simplest activity in the calmest environment. As soon as a tooth is damaged or knocked out, there are certain steps that should be immediately taken. Being well prepared for dental emergencies can reduce anxiety and protect your child’s oral health. Below are five tips for what to do during a dental emergency.

For dental emergencies, please call our Duncan, OK practice today at (580) 255-4880 and we will provide the urgent care you need.

Locate the Missing Tooth

In cases where the permanent tooth is broken, locate all the missing pieces and place them in a container of saltwater solution. Milk or saliva will also do if saltwater is not easily accessible. After gathering the pieces, rinse the mouth with warm saltwater. If there is bleeding, you can apply gauze and light pressure to slow the bleeding. Avoid touching the damaged tooth. If the tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown (avoid touching the roots) and rinse it with lukewarm water. Try to gently reinsert it into the socket and lightly bite down. If you are unable to reinsert, place the tooth in a container of saltwater, milk, or saliva.

Call the Dentist

Because dental emergencies tend to occur after hours, it’s important to have a dentist on hand that is easily accessible so that urgent care can be provided. When a tooth is damaged or knocked out, care should be administered immediately. Delaying your office visit could prevent the tooth from being salvaged.

Apply Ice to the Face

Pain and swelling are normal side effects of a facial injury that resulted in a cracked or knocked out tooth. Icing the cheek or outer jaw can help reduce these side effects and prevent bruising from occurring. Be sure and apply the ice pack or cool compress in 20-minute intervals. Doing so can also help minimize any discomfort.

Take a Pain Reliever

In addition to icing the area, take an over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce pain and inflammation. Acceptable pain relievers include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen. Be sure and read instructions carefully on the appropriate dosages for children and adults.

Prepare a First Aid Kid

If your child participates in confrontational physical activities or plays sports, such as football, basketball, karate, or baseball, where equipment or an extremity can come in contact with the face, it may be in your best interest to prepare a tooth first aid kid that can be easily transported to each game and practice session. This kit should include pain relievers, an ice pack, saltwater solution, and container to hold the damaged pieces or lost tooth. Having your dentist’s number programmed into your phone will also ensure quick access, should an emergency arise.

Call Today

Dr. Matthew Bridges can quickly and effectively handle dental emergencies at our Duncan, OK office. If you or anyone in your family is currently experiencing a dental emergency, please contact us today online or by calling (580) 255-4880.

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