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.

The world is full of ways to fall and crack a tooth, but you can’t stay cooped up in your house forever! Focus on what you can control, like having a top-notch dentist to call when disaster does strike.

Don’t risk your oral health. Choose a dentist with training, experience, and cutting-edge technology. Choose Dr. Matthew Bridges.

When you visit Dr. Bridges for regular checkups and cleanings, he’ll conduct a thorough exam. He may detect small issues – like a surface cavity or chip – and they can be addressed with restorative dental care. If a cavity is left untreated, you could end up with an insatiable toothache. A small crack left unattended can become a deep, painful crack. Your chance for experiencing a dental emergency will decrease dramatically. However, you have to do your part as a responsible patient: make consistent six-month checkups and cleanings, and visit us when you notice an abnormality or have oral pain.

At Chisholm Trail Smile Center in Duncan, OK, we also don’t want finances to prevent you from seeking help. Dr. Bridges makes sure we maintain affordable prices for our services. We are in-network with Health Choice and Delta Premier, but we accept many different insurance plans and will file on your behalf. We also accept Medicare and even offer third-party financing through CareCredit, an institution that offers low- and no-interest loans to qualified patients.

Though you can’t be certain that dental emergencies won’t happen to you, you can be prepared. To start, enter Dr. Bridges’ office number into your phone right now: (580) 255-4880.

Common Dental Emergencies

Cracked Tooth

Teeth may seem unbreakable. After all, diamonds are the only naturally-occurring compound that’s harder than tooth enamel. Regardless, a blow to the mouth or a bite on hard candy can cause a tooth to chip or crack. Some cracks are so tiny that they can only be seen through a microscope, but others can split a tooth in two, exposing the nerve; this is quite painful. If you chip or crack a tooth, call Dr. Bridges immediately, and understand that cracks can worsen with time.

Knocked-out Tooth

There are many ways to accidentally knock out a tooth, especially for a kid who plays sports. Luckily, Dr. Bridges treats kids. If your tooth gets knocked out, save it! Be careful to pick it up by the crown, because touching the root could damage the nerve and prevent it from naturally reattaching. Rinse it off, store it in water or milk, and contact our office as soon as possible to increase the chances of successfully reconnecting the tooth.

Lost Crown or Filling

If you feel your crown or filling coming loose, make sure you don’t swallow it. Don’t try to replace a filling. A fully intact, displaced crown might be reattached. Rubbing a bit of Vaseline on the back of the thoroughly dried crown, then reseating the crown on your dried tooth, can temporarily bond it to your tooth while you contact our office.

Painful Cavity

Toothaches can signal a range of issues: internal infection, a chip or crack, or a cavity. Dental cavities vary in severity, but if left untreated, the decay can spread and infect the tooth’s core, or surrounding teeth, or the gums. If you have a toothache, it’s past time to make an appointment. Call us, and we’ll see you the same day, if at all possible.

Sometimes, a toothache is caused by an abscess. The bacteria that cause tooth decay can form a pocket of bacterial infection, called an abscess, in the gums, in the tooth itself, or at the tooth root in the jawbone. If Dr. Bridges can save an abscessed tooth, he will suggest a root canal or another procedure. In some cases, extraction is the only option. After extraction, the tooth should be replaced so the upper and lower teeth fit together for a balanced bite.

Visit Dr. Matthew Bridges at Chisholm Trail Smile Center in Duncan, OK before trauma strikes. As our patient, you’ll have access to a dentist who can treat and, more importantly, help you prevent dental emergencies. Call (580) 255-4880, or contact us online, to schedule your appointment today.

The post Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies and Toothaches! appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

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.

You don’t have to be scared of root canals! Duncan, OK dentist Dr. Matthew Bridges provides root canal therapy to end your toothache, not make it worse! Call Chisholm Trail Smile Center to learn about gentle, patient-friendly root canals to save your infected tooth.

Root canals are possibly the most dreaded of words for dental patients to hear, and we suspect it’s because of how they were performed in the past. Before injectable anesthetics, root canals were very likely long, slow, painful experiences—but today most patients feel no sensitivity during the procedure. Thanks to effective nerve-blocking treatments, any toothache you felt up until your appointment will be gone as soon as the injection takes effect.

Root canals are also faster than ever before. With modern dentistry tools, microscopes, and lasers, the “long, slow” part of root canal therapy turns into one office visit. Sometimes root canal therapy takes two office visits, depending on the severity of the infection and the anatomy of the tooth. Overall, modern technology has made the procedure faster and more effective.

Root Canals End Pain

Let’s be clear. Root canals may have a bad reputation, but they end any pain you have been feeling in an infected tooth. This treatment is also called endodontic therapy because it treats the inside of the tooth.

The pulp chamber in the innermost part of a tooth is where the living tissues reside. It includes blood vessels, nerve endings, and other tissues. When infection reaches this part of the tooth, the only way to remove it is to remove all the soft tissues from inside the tooth.

While you are anesthetized, we remove all the living tissues from the pulp chamber and the small canals that extend outward into the tooth. After the tooth has been “hollowed out” and cleaned, we sanitize it to make sure there is no trace of infection remaining, and seal the tooth with a filler. This rubber-like filler is different from typical cavity fillings and it creates a weight and heft that is closer to the way your tooth originally felt.

Technically a tooth that receives endodontic therapy becomes a dead tooth, since no living tissues are left inside it. However, it will function like a living tooth for many years to come. You may experience some sensitivity at the site of the tooth for a day or two after a root canal, but this should go away quickly.

Some patients have a sore jaw after root canal treatment, but this is likely from holding the jaw open for an extended period of time, and should feel better within a day or so. If you experience pain after a root canal treatment, let us know as soon as possible. Sometimes the crown or filling may be too high, and this can upset your bite and chewing process. We can usually correct this in a short office visit.

Root Canals are Worth the Time!

Root canals may take longer than typical fillings but they are worth your time! It may be years from now or it may be months, but an infected tooth will only worsen if neglected. The body cannot heal a tooth infection on its own; only a dentist can restore a tooth with bacterial infection. If you put off root canal treatment, any pain you feel will only worsen and your chances of saving the tooth will decrease.

If there’s anything to fear when you hear the words “root canal,” it’s not getting it done promptly!

Do you have an unrelenting toothache? If you need a root canal in Duncan OK, Chisholm Trail Smile Center will help you save your tooth. Call our office at (580) 255-4880 for an appointment.

Root Canals Duncan, OK – Chisholm Trail Smile Center

The post The Truth About Root Canals (It’s Not as Bad as You Think!) 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.

The post 5 Tips for What to Do During Dental Emergencies appeared first on Chisholm Trail.