Patient Education

Although the enamel that covers the teeth is one of the hardest and mineralized tissues in the human body, it also has limits to its strengths. And several factors can cause it to break or crack – from receiving a massive blow to your face or falling to biting on something too hard. A broken tooth can cause you to worry, but you shouldn’t, as there are several things you and your dentist can do to fix it. Let’s take a look at some of them. What You Can Do After Breaking Your Tooth Cracked tooth If you experience a crack on your tooth or a minor chip, you can take some safety measures before visiting your dentist. For example, you’ll need to stay away from biting on hard substances or eating food that is tough to chew. It would be best if you also avoided foods with extreme temperatures. You can opt for over-the-counter pain medication as and when you need to. Broken Teeth If you experience a broken tooth, your best option is to call or visit a reliable dentist like Prince Dental Group in Midway, Utah, or near you immediately. But before you receive professional help, there are a few things you can do.  Rinse your mouth gently with salt water or warm water. Apply a cold compress to the outer region where the broken tooth is. Place a gauze into the area to help soak up any bleeding. Alternatively, you can also use a wet tea bag. It is important to note that if there’s any bleeding, it should subside after 10 minutes.  If you experience a severe tooth break, you need to see your dentist within 24 hours. But the earlier, the better. If that is impossible, you can opt for dental cement as a quick fix until you see your dentist.  If your tooth removes completely, you need to visit your dentist as a matter of emergency. When handling the tooth, do not grab it by the root. Only handle it by the crown. Although it is possible to place the tooth back into its socket, it needs to be done the right way by your dentist.  How Your Dentist Can Help You Dental bonding or filling: If you chipped a small portion of your tooth, your dentist could repair the damage with dental bonding or filling. Bonding is often the preferred treatment if the damage is caused to the front part of your tooth. The process uses a tooth-colored composite resin. Dental cap or crown: If you lose a large part of your tooth, your dentist may resort to grinding or filing away a section of the damaged tooth and shielding it with a tooth-shaped crown or cap. Doing this will help protect the remaining tooth while improving its appearance. Dental veneers: Your dentist can also use a dental veneer to make a broken or chipped tooth look healthy and whole again. This option will cover the entire front portion of the tooth. Root canal therapy: If your tooth breaks or chips considerably that it exposes your pulp, it may be exposed to bacteria contained in your mouth. Your dentist can use root canal therapy to remove any dead pulp, clean the root canal, and seal it. 

A feeling of dread can come over you when you realize that your tooth is aching. Something might be wrong with your tooth, perhaps requiring a trip to the dentist and treatment such as a filling or root canal treatment. When you first have an aching tooth, it can be easy to ignore it or brush it off, especially when the pain comes and goes or is only there at certain times. However, by ignoring a toothache, whatever is causing it could get worse. And if your tooth stops aching, it won’t necessarily be a good sign. If you’re in Midway, Utah, make an appointment with us at Prince Dental Group for a checkup. Meanwhile, it can be helpful to do the following things when you have a toothache. Rinse Your Mouth Rinsing your mouth out can help to remove anything that might be irritating your tooth. It also helps you to ensure your mouth is clean. You can use salt water or a mix of equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide. Whatever you use, make sure you spit it out when you’re done – don’t swallow it. Swish the liquid gently around your mouth before spitting it out. You might also find that it helps to gently floss around your tooth to remove any bits of food. Use OTC Pain Relievers When you’re in pain, taking a painkiller will help to relieve it. However, it’s important to remember it won’t deal with the cause of the pain, so it’s still important to get your sore tooth checked out. You can use over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin. If you use aspirin, it should be swallowed. You might have heard that you should put it on your tooth, but this can do more harm than good. As well as taking painkillers in the form of pills or tablets, you can use gels or liquids that relieve pain. These contain benzocaine, which helps to numb the pain for a little while. If you want a natural alternative to this, you can try clove oil, which also helps to numb the area around your tooth. Try a Cold Compress Using something cold is a good way to treat pain and reduce swelling and inflammation. If your face is swollen, use an ice pack to help bring the swelling down and perhaps treat the pain too. It’s important to see a dentist if your face is swollen because it could be a sign of an infection, an abscess, or other problems. See a Dentist The most important thing to do when you have a toothache is to make an appointment with a dentist. They will check your tooth for you and find out what the problem might be, before recommending the best course of treatment. While at-home remedies might help to relieve the pain, they won’t cure the cause. When you need a dentist in Midway, Utah, for a toothache, make an appointment with us at Prince Dental Group. We offer friendly and honest treatment with high-quality care.

Tooth loss can sometimes be a cause of great stress, and understandably so. It can deprive you of that perfect smile you always wanted and even take a toll on your self-esteem and confidence. Your restorative options include dental implants and dentures. Both come with their own sets of pros and cons. And you need to weigh each option carefully to help you decide which option is best for you. This article will juxtapose both options to make your choice easier. What Are Dentures? Dentures are removable prosthetic devices used to replace missing teeth as well as some of your gum tissue. Most dentures come with an acrylic base that looks close to a pink gum color and serves as the base support for the denture teeth. Some dentures may also come with a lightweight metal frame that serves as a source of extra support and strength. You can choose between complete and partial dentures. The complete option will replace the teeth in either or both jaws, while the partial option is only used to fill in gaps.  Pros Dentures are mostly less costly compared to implants. You can use dentures to replace gum and bone loss, unlike implants that will be anchored to the bone. The procedure needed to fix dentures is non-invasive and doesn’t require drilling into the bone or online dental implants.  Plus, the procedure for dentures also takes a shorter time to complete, as compared to implants.  Cons You may need to revisit your dentist for replacements or adjustments if your facial or gum structure changes with age.  Dentures require getting used to, as they can be pretty uncomfortable, especially during the first couple of days of wearing them. They require regular care, just like normal teeth. Poor hygiene can lead to infection around the gums. Dental Implants Dental implants are metal posts used to replace the root portion of missing teeth. Usually, in the form of a titanium post, the dental implant is inserted into the jawbone to act just like the natural tooth’s root. This procedure offers a permanent restorative solution to missing teeth.  Pros Dental implants have an impressive success rate of about 95%. They can hold up for up to 20 years or even more, making them a very long-lasting solution. Unlike dentures, dental implants are less challenging to maintain. Their design also means that they preserve your facial structure and natural bones without affecting bone growth. Cons Dentures are cheaper when compared to implants.  Not everyone can qualify to have dental implants since the procedure requires healthy gums and bones to secure the jaw properly. Although you can opt for tissue grafts, this will only add to your expenses.  What To Consider When Deciding Between Dentures And Implants Here are a few other factors to think about before making your final choice.  Insurance coverage: Most implant procedures don’t come with insurance coverage, as they’re classified as cosmetic. Dentures, however, usually have insurance coverage.  Appearance: Dentures can feel bulky, while implants give you a look closer to your natural one. Whatever your decision on dentures vs dental implants, you can rely on reliable dentists like Prince Dental Group in Midway, Utah, to assist.