Ways to Help Reduce Anxiety Levels In The Emergency Dentist Office

For many people, getting dental work is anxiety inducing, even if it’s just a regular trip to the dentist and not an emergency dentist. Because of  negative past experiences or undue fears about what could go wrong, something like the sound of the dentist’s drill can set off feelings of discomfort and can create stress in the body. Many general and specialist dentist offices know their patients have anxiety in coming in and they take steps to help alleviate it through different strategies. For instance, sedation dentistry offices have popped up all over the place in an effort to help patients relax during procedures.

Often times, starting from the first phone call in helping to put your mind at rest, dental offices will help to educate you about what to expect and any pre-office preparation needed on your part. There are some steps you can take, starting at home, to help reduce your anxiety during your visit. One fairly easy step is to avoid caffeine. This will help your overall feeling of anxiousness. Another step is to eat high-protein foods before the appointment. Eating low sugar and high levels of protein will help to have a calming effect. It will also help to keep your blood sugar levels from getting low during the appointment, so you don’t become shaky feeling, adding to your discomfort. During your appointment, focus on breathing regularly and slowly. It is normal to hold your breath when you feel stressed or afraid, but an increase in your oxygen levels will help you feel more relaxed.

The best thing to do is to talk with your emergency dentist about your fears. The dentist can help educate you and help explain what will happen during the appointment. He or she can also know about your fears and approach the task in a more sensitive manner to help you feel cared for and safe.

Preventing Bone Loss Can Help You Avoid Needing An Emergency Dentist in Philadelphia

When you’re getting a check-up at a general dentist, ”bone loss” can be two of the scariest words you hear. We want you to help you do everything we can to make sure you never get there.

How can it be avoided? How can you avoid having pains associated with loose teeth and  needing an emergency dentist at 2 a.m.? Like most dental issues, it’s a partnership between you and your dentist that can avoid the road to gum disease.

Stage 1: Gingivitis – As you probably know, our mouths are full of bacteria. It comes from the food we eat, the people we kiss, and the times we put our hands to our mouth. Some of this bacteria love to eat at the enamel of teeth, and some like to dine on the food you leave in your mouth. The gummy stuff that forms on your teeth, mostly where the teeth meet the gums, is called plaque. This is what you have to remove daily with brushing and flossing. If it’s left too long, it becomes tartar and can only be removed by a dental professional.

Gingivitis can cause red, swollen, bleeding gum, and it’s important that you and your dentist treat it before it moves on to…

Stage 2: Periodontitis – While gingivitis is technically a form of periodontitis, it can be reversed and isn’t destructive like other forms of periodontitis. This is when the gums begin to pull away from the teeth and the bacteria are able to get deeper, and a constant infection occurs as your body fights the invaders. When it reaches this stage it’s often called “chronic periodontitis.” While all is not lost and a dentist can help you manage it, bone loss has started and you’ll want to stay on top of the situation so that it doesn’t get worse.

Stage 3: Tooth Loss – Go for too long without seeing a dentist and this may be unavoidable. Too much bone loss has occurred and the bone can no longer hang onto the tooth. If the tooth is loose it might have to be extracted. Tooth implants will then be necessary to put the needed pressure on your jaw so that the bone in our jaw doesn’t deteriorate.

Here’s the best part…catch it at the gingivitis stage and there’s a good chance you’ll avoid stages 2 and 3 altogether. With proper brushing and flossing (and regular dental visits), some people can reverse the process of gingivitis in as little as a month. Visit us as your general dentist and you might be able to avoid us as your emergency dentist!

What Are Veneers And What Can I Expect From My Cosmetic Dentist (or even an Emergency Dentist)?

Not every service requires the services of an emergency dentist. Sometimes dental procedures can be thought out and studied so that you’re getting exactly what you want from acosmetic dentist in Philadelphia, PA.

One of the best ways to protect your teeth is with veneers. While veneers might not be medically necessary, they can make your teeth look amazing and help shape your smile into the one you’ve always wanted.

Veneers are tiny slivers of porcelain that are cemented to you teeth. They protect the tooth and can also shape each individual tooth. In this way they can be a cosmetic alternative to braces, which are really only needed if it’s medically necessary. Veneers are great for:

People whose teeth are more susceptible to staining – Not all people’s teeth react to stains in the same way. Some are just naturally going to have a harder time with stains. Or maybe you’re not going to give up your 15 cups of coffee a day but want to have brighter teeth.

People with deep ridges in their teeth – Some patients teeth have deep grooves on the front, and veneers will bring a thin, smooth surface to wavy teeth.

People who have thin enamel or worn teeth – The enamel, the outermost part of the tooth and the hardest part of the human body, can repair itself from some wear through a process called remineralization. But some people have genetically thin enamel,  some leave too many sugars on your teeth that can break down enamel and lead to cavities. Either way it’s best to help your teeth with veneers.

Misaligned/misshapen – If your teeth are misaligned but there’s no medical reason for braces, veneers might be a great option for filling in the spaces and making it look like the teeth are all heading in the right direction.

Large gaps – There’s only one kind of person who likes large gaps between teeth…caricaturists! It gives them an easy target when they’re drawing your picture at the fair. If your gap is signature to your look (like David Letterman’s), then maybe you don’t want to have this fixed. However, if it’s all you can see when you look in the mirror, you might want to have us fix it.

Veneers are a great option that resolve many problems that can plague teeth and the shape of your smile. Contactour cosmetic dentists to find out all about your options.

Going Under or Staying Awake: The Choice In Anesthesia When Visiting an Emergency Dentist In Philadelphia, PA

After you have a dental procedure, whether it’s with an emergency dentist or not, people will often ask “did they knock you out for that?” People usually want to know in order to gauge just how intense a procedure it was, and how much pain you might have experienced or avoided. Morbid curiosity.

If you’ve never undergone an extensive dental procedure before, you might be asking yourself: what are the advantage and disadvantage of general anesthesia vs. local anesthesia?

Staying awake (local anesthesia)

Benefits – You won’t be as groggy for the rest of the day, and most of the time you can drive yourself home. You’ll also be able to respond should a dentist ask you any questions.

Drawbacks – While you won’t feel the pain with local anesthesia, you can still feel the doctor working. If the procedure lasts too long it can get uncomfortable having your mouth open for such a time.

Going under (general anesthesia)

Benefits – You get knocked out, you wake up and it’s over. If you have extreme anxiety just having a cavity filled, then this might be the only way for you when you have a more extensive procedure.

Drawbacks – You’ll need to have someone drive you home because you’re going to be very tired. Also, because a licensed anesthesiologist must be used, it is more expensive to get general anesthesia.

The most important thing to realize is that you have an emergency dentist in Philadelphia, PA who has seen the pros and cons of each of these and will discuss them with you before the procedure. If you’re in need of restorative dentistry, contact us today.

Your Philadelphia Emergency Dentist Discusses The Truth About Cosmetic Dentistry

Believe it or not, cosmetic dentistry is everywhere in Philadelphia: it’s on the faces of many people you meet, though you may not know it. Your closest friends may have their teeth bleached or bonded. It’s true – if you’re considering cosmetic dentistry in Philadelphia, you are not alone. In fact, studies tell us that people with an attractive smile appear more intelligent, successful, friendly, interesting, and kind while also appealing more to the opposite sex. Cosmetic dentists often cite the transformation in a patient’s self-image as the best thing about their job and that’s very true for us. With a brighter, straighter, shapelier smile, you may find the confidence to pursue relationships, career opportunities, and social engagements that you never thought possible!

Our cosmetic dentistry services include:

Bonding: If you have a chipped, slightly misaligned, or otherwise imperfect tooth that needs cosmetic restoration, we may suggest an one-appointment bonding. We can apply putty-like composite resin, shaded to blend with your tooth’s color, to rebuild a pleasing shape to your tooth. In just one visit you can have a new, beautiful smile!

Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening is effective and safe for patients whose teeth have yellow, brown, or orange tinges due to age, food stains, heredity, or tobacco use. The simple procedure requires no anesthesia, and it’s perfectly safe!

Porcelain Veneers: If your front teeth are discolored and stained, chipped, cracked, slightly misaligned, or have metal fillings, consider veneers. Made from thin sheaths of porcelain layered atop each other, veneers can completely cover the front of your teeth to create a perfectly shaped, dazzlingly white, absolutely gorgeous smile. The most modern veneers look completely natural, too.

Whether you need and emergency dentist or are simply interested in cosmetic dentistry, Central City Emergency Dental is here to help you 24-hours a day. Contact us today!

Oral Care Mistakes You’re Making That Can Cause Cavities…And Might Lead To A Trip To An Emergency Dentist!

Since 1949, Emergency Dentist has been serving Philadelphia with the distinction that has made us known throughout the city. All of the major hospitals in the Philadelphia center city area come to us first with patients who need the quality services and expertise in restorative dentistry. Today we’re here to talk about common dental mistakes that you may not even realize that you’re making. Remember, you only get one set of choppers, and repair costs more than prevention.

1. Brushing too hard. If you brush too vigorously, you can wear away at your enamel and cause sensitivity and even gum recession. Make sure you have a brush with soft bristles and that when you brush your teeth, you brush in a circular motion and not side to side.

2. Eating too many acidic foods. Acidic foods wear down your tooth enamel, causing sensitivity issues and worse. That’s a problem because that top protective layer of enamel on our teeth never grows back. Some particular culprits are: sodas, orange juice, sports drinks, lemons, wine, and sour gummy candies. If you must have that soda or glass of wine, at least balance the pH in your mouth by drinking water after.

3. You’re whitening your teeth too much. It’s normal to want white teeth, but as we get older our teeth naturally get darker. Excessive whitening will erode your enamel over time.

4. Chasing down hot pizza with a cold drink. We’re all guilty of this! When you bite into a hot pizza, your enamel expands. When you take that drink of cold water or soda, you’re causing your enamel to contract. This creates what is called a craze line – where the enamel cracks and stains appear.