Dental issues might not be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to emergencies. However, dental emergencies can occur unexpectedly and often require immediate attention to alleviate pain, prevent further damage, and ensure oral health. If you believe you are experiencing a dental emergency call Peak Dental at 863-533-9471. 

Understanding Dental Emergencies:

Dental emergencies include a variety of critical dental issues that demand prompt professional assistance. Severe toothaches, knocked-out or broken teeth, lost fillings, broken braces, and other emergencies can occur. Recognizing the signs of a dental emergency is crucial to initiate timely action and minimize potential complications.

Immediate Steps to Take:

When confronted with a dental emergency, it’s essential to stay calm and take immediate steps to mitigate pain and prevent further damage. Here are some actions you can take:

• Toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water, floss gently to remove any food particles, and apply a cold compress to the affected area for temporary relief.

• Knocked-Out Tooth: If a tooth is completely knocked out, keep the tooth moist in milk or a tooth preservation kit and seek dental help immediately.

• Fractured Tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, and visit a dentist as soon as possible.

• Lost Filling or Crown: Use dental cement, which can be purchased at a local pharmacy, to temporarily cover the exposed area until you can visit a dentist.

Seeking Professional Dental Care:

While the initial steps mentioned above provide temporary relief, it is essential to schedule an appointment with a dentist promptly. Dental professionals are trained to handle emergencies and can provide the necessary treatment to alleviate pain, prevent infection, and restore oral health. Delaying professional care can lead to more significant problems and complications down the line.

Prevention and Preparedness:

Although dental emergencies are unexpected, you can take preventive measures to minimize the risk. Maintain good oral hygiene practices, such as regular brushing and flossing, and visit a dentist for routine check-ups. Additionally, wearing mouthguards during physical activities and avoiding chewing on hard objects can help reduce the likelihood of dental injuries.

Dental emergencies can be distressing, but knowing how to handle them can make a significant difference in protecting your oral health. By understanding common dental emergencies, taking immediate steps to alleviate pain, seeking professional care promptly, and practicing preventive measures, you can minimize the impact of these situations. Remember, in any dental emergency, always consult a dentist for the best course of action. Stay prepared, stay calm, and prioritize your dental well-being. 

Visit Peak Dental to learn more about dental emergencies and the services that are available.

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Going to the dentist might be frightening, but having an expectation of what to anticipate can help. Typically, you should visit the dentist for a checkup every six months to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy. Checkups are not only beneficial for your general health, but they also provide your dentist the chance to give you advice on how to care for your teeth and spot any early signs of oral health issues. 

Here at Peak Dental in Bartow, FL we understand that life can get in the way sometimes and appointments can get pushed back. That is why we strive to make our patients feel comfortable and at ease in the chair. Listed below is what to expect when you come in for a visit.

Physical Exam

A dental hygienist does the majority of teeth cleanings. The hygienist will examine your whole mouth before starting the cleaning. The hygienist will examine the area surrounding your teeth and gums using a tiny mirror instrument to look for any indication of gingivitis (inflamed gums) or other potential issues.

The hygienist may bring the dentist to the office if any serious problems are found to ensure that the procedure may proceed.

Education

Education is a significant component of the dental examination procedure. Any hygiene issues found will be discussed by the dental hygienist after the cleaning. If required, they’ll also demonstrate to you how to clean and floss your teeth more efficiently.

Exam

Your dentist and dental hygienist will next do an examination on your teeth, gums, and mouth to check for any indications of any issues, such as a cavity, gum disease, or early signs of oral cancer. Using the mirror equipment, the dentist will be able to examine your teeth and gums more clearly. If they notice any problems, they may suggest a particular treatment or send you to a specialist.

The importance of routine dental exams for your general health cannot be underlined. Dentists and hygienists are here to make sure you’re maintaining excellent oral and dental hygiene. Peak Dental in Bartow, FL is always available to assist you and answer your questions. To schedule an appointment for your upcoming dental examination, call our clinic. 

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Learn About Dental Veneers With Peak Dental in Bartow, Florida

Whether you’re looking to have only a few teeth or all of your front teeth covered by dental veneers you might be wondering; which material is the best, composite or porcelain? Dental veneers can be used alongside other cosmetic dental procedures to dramatically change the look of your smile. It’s an important question, so let’s dive in.

Porcelain vs Composite Veneers: Lifespan

The lifespan of any type of dental veneers depends upon a number of factors. The most important of those is hygiene and overall oral health. Under ideal conditions, if a patient follows brushing, flossing and twice annual dental checkup recommendations, both porcelain and composite veneers can last for many years. A common estimate for the lifespan of composite veneers is between 4 to 10 years. Porcelain veneers are estimated to last between 10 to 15 years if not longer.

Porcelain is generally fragile but after it is bonded to a tooth it becomes extremely durable. Composite materials are strong as well but once attached are more prone to chipping than porcelain. However composite veneers can be repaired, similar to fillings for normal tooth enamel, while porcelain veneers must be replaced entirely if they are damaged.

Porcelain vs Composite Veneers: Cost & Time

Composite veneers have the advantage of a faster application process compared to porcelain. Composite veneers can be fabricated in-office and can be applied during the same visit in which your teeth are prepped for them. Any dental veneers require some tooth material to be grinded away to make room for them. With composite veneers your dentist can complete that work, fabricate your veneers and apply them all in the same visit.

Porcelain veneers generally require at least two appointments. Your dentist will remove the necessary material from your teeth, take an impression mold, and then will have to wait for a special lab to fabricate your veneers. Temporary veneers are available between appointments, so it’s not like you will walk around with obviously incomplete dental work, but if time is a factor this is worth considering. At your second appointment, your porcelain veneers will then be applied.

Porcelain veneers are also generally more expensive than composite. Because porcelain veneers cannot be fabricated in-office and are of a higher quality material they cost more to create and apply. The initial cost of porcelain veneers compared to composite often becomes equal over time however when considering the upfront costs versus repair and replacement costs over the lifetime of each material.

Porcelain vs Composite Veneers: Look

Porcelain veneers compared to composite veneers look more natural. The way that thin porcelain catches light mirrors a white tooth very closely. Composite veneers still look quite natural but when considering cosmetics porcelain does have the edge. Porcelain is also more stain resistant, related to its general durability edge, compared to composite.

Because composite veneers can stain that does mean they will naturally wear and change color just like your other teeth. Porcelain veneers on the other hand may start to stick out more over time compared to the teeth surrounding them. This might me you will need to consider whitening your teeth to match the shade of your porcelain veneers as time goes on.

Which Dental Veneers are Best?

There are pros and cons to both composite and dental veneers. The best material for your veneers is ultimately something you will need to decide yourself based on your lifestyle and preferences. There’s a question of lifespan, upfront versus lifetime costs, look and time to consider when deciding between the two. If you’re still not sure, our dentists and staff are happy to help guide you through the decision-making process. There’s yet more information that can be provided to you, and guidance that can be tailored to your specific needs and unique oral health situation. 

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Ever feel like you’re talking to someone and all you can focus on is whether or not they can smell your breath? You are not alone. There can be many different reasons why you may feel your breath is more potent than normal. Bad breath or professionally known as halitosis is normal. The good news is that most causes of halitosis or bad breath come down to oral habits. Visit Peak Dental in Bartow, FL and we can talk about it! 

What’s the Reason?

The biggest underlying issue to your bad breath may be poor oral hygiene. Luckily for you, these can be easy changes in your everyday routines to help with the odor.

1. Brush more. Brushing once in the morning and once before bed for at least 120 seconds is important. Also brushing your tongue as it can carry many odors just like the particles that can get stuck between your teeth. 
2. Timing. When brushing your teeth, timing is everything. Many people will brush their teeth as the first step in their morning routine, but it’s important to remove odor-causing bacteria after eating breakfast. This is why you want to brush your teeth after eating or drinking anything in the morning so you can leave your house with minty fresh breath. 

How Does Eating Contribute to Bad Breath?

Everyone has enjoyed some pasta or pizza that had some garlic and onions and afterward thought your breath stinks and it’s that normal, afterward, you brush your teeth and floss and the smell goes away. This is a normal part of the congestion and digestion process; removing the leftover lodges and particles left in your mouth after eating will remove the smell that comes along with them. Some foods go further along, enter your bloodstream, carry to your lungs, and affect your breath. If a toothbrush is not readily available, we recommend avoiding these foods and beverages:

• Garlic
• Onions
• Coffee
• Alcohol

Continue to eat the foods you enjoy, but be aware of the foods that affect your breath if it is becoming more and more of a concern. 

Is There A Bigger Issue?

Halitosis or bad breath can be caused by more than just food particles stuck between your teeth or on your tongue. Another reason for halitosis can be a result of gum disease and tooth decay. If you have some dental issues it can allow bacteria to find pockets or cavities to hide in and cause further damage such as gingivitis and periodontal disease.  There are short-term methods that can assist with masking the smell, but they won’t disappear. It is important that you work with your dentist to solve any underlying issues. 

If you are noticing your concern for your breath to become more apparent than normal, contact Peak Dental in Bartow, FL and we can work on it together.