Dental emergencies can happen to anyone, anytime. While not always the first thing on our minds, knowing how to react quickly and effectively can prevent further damage and alleviate pain. At Peak Dental in Bartow, FL, we’re here to be your trusted resource for handling dental emergencies effectively.

Recognizing a Dental Emergency

Knowing the signs of a dental emergency is crucial for seeking timely care. Here are some red flags to watch out for:

• Severe toothache: Pain that persists or worsens, throbbing sensation, radiating pain.
• Knocked-out or broken tooth: Partial or complete tooth loss, visible cracks or chips.
• Lost filling or crown: Exposed tooth structure, sensitivity, discomfort while chewing.
• Broken braces: Loose or damaged wires, discomfort, difficulty eating.
• Bleeding gums: Excessive or persistent bleeding, swollen or tender gums.

Taking Immediate Action

If you experience a dental emergency, stay calm and follow these steps:

• Toothache: Rinse with warm water, floss gently, and apply a cold compress.
• Knocked-out tooth: Locate the tooth, keep it moist in milk or a preservation kit, and seek immediate dental help.
• Fractured tooth: Rinse with warm water, apply a cold compress, and schedule a dental appointment immediately.
• Lost filling or crown: Use temporary dental cement until your dental appointment.

Seek Professional Care

While these preliminary steps provide temporary relief, professional dental care is crucial for long-term solutions. At Peak Dental, our experienced dentists offer prompt and compassionate care for all dental emergencies:

• Pain relief: We use effective techniques to address discomfort and ensure your comfort throughout the treatment.
• Damage repair: We can repair cracked teeth, replace lost fillings or crowns, and reimplant knocked-out teeth when possible.
• Infection prevention: We provide necessary antibiotics and treatments to prevent infection and promote healing.
• Comprehensive treatment plan: We develop a personalized plan to address the underlying cause and prevent future emergencies.

Prevention and Preparedness

While emergencies can’t be entirely avoided, you can minimize the risk with good oral hygiene:

• Brushing and flossing regularly: Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent cavities and gum disease.
• Regular dental checkups: Schedule routine checkups with your dentist to detect and address potential issues early.
• Protective measures: Wear mouthguards during sports and avoid chewing on hard objects.

Peak Dental is here for you during dental emergencies. Call us immediately at 863-533-9471 for prompt and expert care. By staying informed, prepared, and seeking professional help when needed, you can navigate dental emergencies efficiently and protect your oral health.

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We understand that scheduling dental appointments can sometimes fall by the wayside. But even if it’s been a while, there’s no need to fret! This guide outlines what to expect during your visit, ensuring a smooth and comfortable experience.

Relax, We’ve Got You Covered

We prioritize patient comfort and strive to make every visit positive. Whether it’s been six months or longer, here’s what you can expect:

1. Comprehensive Examination:

• Hygienist-Led Cleaning: A friendly hygienist will gently examine your mouth for signs of gum disease or other concerns using specialized tools.
• Dentist Consultation: If needed, your dentist will collaborate with the hygienist to ensure the best course of action for your oral health.

2. Education is Key:

• Personalized Hygiene Guidance: After the cleaning, your hygienist will discuss any findings and demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques for optimal oral hygiene.

3. Thorough Oral Evaluation:

• Dentist-Performed Exam: Your dentist will meticulously examine your teeth, gums, and mouth using advanced tools to detect any potential issues like cavities, gum disease, or early signs of oral cancer.
• Treatment Recommendations: If necessary, your dentist will discuss treatment options or recommend specialist consultations.

Remember:

• Regular Exams Matter: Routine dental checkups are crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being.
• Peak Dental is Here: Our team of dedicated professionals is always happy to answer your questions and guide you toward optimal oral health.

Ready to schedule your appointment? Call Peak Dental in Bartow, FL, today!

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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.