High Park Dental Care - Blog

As an emergency dentist serving the High Park community for over a decade, I've seen countless patients running through our doors in pain that could've been prevented. Here at High Park Dental Care, our emergency dental staff treat urgent cases often, with adequate care and attention, may never have reached crisis point. Today, I'm giving you the most prevalent avoidable dental emergencies we see.

Why Emergency Dentists See So Many Preventable Cases

When you're in pain with a toothache, finding an emergency dentist is your top priority. But most patients are surprised to learn that their dental emergency was not created overnight, but rather over time. As emergency dentists, we conservatively estimate that approximately 60% of urgent cases reflect prolonged neglect or delayed treatment.

Prevention is always less expensive—both money-wise and in terms of your body—than emergency treatment. Knowing the most prevalent preventable emergencies will allow you to sidestep the need for urgent care.

Cracked Teeth: Number One Cause for Emergency Dentist Appointments

One of the most common reasons patients visit an emergency dentist is for cracked or broken teeth. Although some breaks come from sudden trauma, many are the result of preventable factors.

How Emergency Dentists Fix Cracked Teeth

When fixing broken teeth, we first assess the extent of damage. Minor cracks may require bonding, but significant cracks typically require crowns or even extractions. Treatment then depends on whether or not the crack extends to the pulp or under the gumline.

Prevention Steps:

• Not chewing ice, hard candy, or anything else but food
• Using a custom-fitted mouthguard while participating in sport or grinding your teeth
• Getting grinding of the teeth (bruxism) treated by your dentist
• Routine dental exams to detect small cracks before they become a problem

Severe Infections: When You Need an Emergency Dentist Right Away

The most potentially dangerous but preventable dental emergency we see may be the one with severe infections. They can manifest as abscesses—pockets of infection filled with bacteria that lead to facial swelling, excruciating pain, and possibly systemic disease if neglected.

Emergency Dentist Response to Dental Infections

Dental infection treatment should not be put off. We typically drain the abscess, put you on meds, and fix the source—typically by doing a root canal or pulling it. Infections like that don't normally happen overnight; they are generally the result of untreated decay or gum disease.

Prevention Strategies:

• Never dismiss persistent toothaches or sensitivity
• Complete recommended cavity treatment promptly
• Maintain superb oral hygiene through regular brushing and flossing
• Schedule dental exams and cleanings regularly
• Have gum bleeding or recession addressed

Lost Fillings and Crowns: Common Emergency Dentist Scenarios

Lost or broken dental restorations are also a preventable emergency. When fillings or crowns fall out, they expose unprotected tooth structure and are extremely painful, prompting an immediate call to an emergency dentist.

How Emergency Dentists Restore Lost Restorations

When patients come in with missing fillings or crowns, we provide temporary or permanent replacements depending on the case. The majority of these cases, though, come in with evidence that the restoration was already compromised before it failed.

Prevention Strategies:

• Attend regular dental check-ups where your dentist will evaluate current restorations
• Avoid very sticky or hard foods with dental restorations
• Address grinding of teeth that will destroy restorations
• Don't delay replacement of worn or aging dental work
• Maintenance of restoration according to your dentist's advice

Why Emergency Dentists Deal with Wisdom Tooth Pain So Frequently

We often see patients with intense pain from impacted wisdom teeth. Although not all wisdom tooth problems are avoidable, a large percentage of emergency cases arise after patients disregard advice to have wisdom teeth extracted or overlook warning signs.

Emergency Dentist Solutions for Wisdom Tooth Pain

When patients come in with wisdom tooth emergencies, we typically provide pain relief, antibiotics if the patient is infected, and referral for extraction. But these painful events typically follow months of erratic pain that patients neglected.

Prevention Strategies:

• Finish recommended wisdom tooth extractions
• Don't neglect slight pressure or pain at the back of your mouth
• Attend regular dental visits where your dentist monitors wisdom tooth development
• Consult if you have partial eruption or difficulty in cleaning close to wisdom teeth

Trauma Situations: When You Simply Have to Visit an Emergency Dentist

While not all dental trauma is preventable, we see on a daily basis injuries that could have been avoided with good precautions. Dental injuries caused by sports are particularly common but entirely preventable.

Emergency Dentist Procedures for Dental Trauma

In the management of dental trauma, we attempt to salvage natural teeth as much as possible. For teeth that are avulsed, immediate therapy (within 30-60 minutes) significantly improves the prognosis. For chips and fractures, there are many restorative options depending on severity.

Prevention Measures:

• Wear specially customized mouthguards for contact sports and recreational activities
• Utilize seatbelts and appropriate safety equipment to prevent facial trauma
• Avoid using teeth as tools to open packages or bottles
• Address home hazards that can lead to falls or facial trauma

When to Call Your Emergency Dentist

Knowing when to call for emergency dental care can make small issues catastrophes. Call an emergency dentist immediately if you experience:

• Severe, persistent toothache
• Swelling of the face, gum, or jaw
• Loose or avulsed teeth
• Excessive bleeding from the mouth
• Severe dental infection with fever
• Broken teeth with exposed nerves

At High Park Dental Care, our team is committed to providing prompt emergency dental care when you need it most. However, we're even more committed to helping our patients avoid getting into emergencies in the first place with preventive care and education.

Remember, the best emergency dental care is the kind you never need. Regular dental visits, prompt attention to minor issues, and preventive practices can save you from needing to get urgent dental care.

Need an emergency dentist? Call us at 416-766-6383

Are you searching for complete dental care in the High Park area?

Finding the proper dentist in High Park who offers an array of services can be the key to maintaining your mouth's health and dealing with oral complications. At High Park Dental Care, we are proud to provide excellent dental services that cater to patients of all ages and dental needs.

Essential Preventive Services from Your Dentist in High Park

Whether you're new to town or simply looking to switch to a more comprehensive dental practice, understanding what services are provided is important. Let's examine the top five dental services you can expect when you see a dentist in High Park.

1. Professional Dental Cleanings and Check-ups

   Regular cleanings and check-ups are the foundation of healthy teeth. When you visit a High Park dentist, you can expect professional cleanings that are more thorough than what your regular brushing and flossing can offer.

   During a professional teeth cleaning, our dental hygienists remove plaque and tartar buildup that will lead to cavities and gum disease. We also perform a complete examination for any possible problems before they occur as major concerns. These prevention treatments usually entail:

   • Professional scaling and polishing
   • Oral cancer screening
   • Digital X-rays, if necessary
   • Individualized oral hygiene instructions
   • Fluoride treatment
   
   

   At High Park Dental Care, we recommend coming in every six months for these all-critical preventive treatments so your smile remains healthy for the years ahead.

2. Restorative Dental Treatments

   Even with proper oral hygiene, there are still dental issues. A good dentist in High Park would give complete restorative care for broken or rotten teeth. Restorative care puts back the functionality and esthetics of your smile.

   Common restorative treatments are:

   • Dental Fillings: We can fill cavities with tooth-coloured composite materials without altering the natural look of your teeth.
   • Root Canal Therapy: After infection has spread to the inner pulp of your tooth, root canal treatment saves the tooth and stops pain.
   • Dental Crowns: These specially designed caps restore strength and appearance of damaged teeth and prevent further damage.
   • Bridges and Dentures: In the event of missing teeth, these prosthetic devices restore completeness and functionality of your smile.
   
   

   Our team at High Park Dental Care uses the most up-to-date techniques and products to make your restorative treatment comfortable, lasting, and good-looking.

3. Cosmetic Dentistry Services

   Many patients that visit a High Park dentist also wish to enhance the attractiveness of their smile. Cosmetic dentistry has evolved so much and is now offering alternatives for many beauty problems.

   Few of the hottest cosmetic treatments include:

   • Professional Whitening: Comfortable and quick in-office whitening treatments that can brighten your smile two or three shades in one appointment.
   • Dental Veneers: Porcelain shells bonded over the front of teeth to repair issues like staining, chips, or minor alignment.
   • Dental Bonding: Inexpensive solution to correct small flaws using tooth-colored resin.
   • Smile Makeovers: Comprehensive treatment plans that combine two or more cosmetic treatments to create your perfect smile.
   
   

   Here at High Park Dental Care, we believe in a personalized cosmetic dentistry approach where treatments blend with your natural beauty to meet your concerns.

4. Invisalign Clear Aligner Therapy

   A modern-day dentist in High Park needs to offer orthodontic treatment beyond traditional braces. Invisalign revolutionized teeth straightening with its nearly invisible clear aligners that shift teeth into place gradually.

   Invisalign treatment has several advantages:

   • Nearly invisible appearance
   • Removable for eating and oral hygiene
   • No dietary restrictions
   • Fewer office visits required
   • Often shorter treatment time than traditional braces
   
   

   Our team at High Park Dental Care provides comprehensive Invisalign consultations to determine if this treatment is right for you. We use advanced digital scanning technology to create a customized treatment plan that shows you the projected results before you even begin.

5. Specialized Dental Services

   Besides the standard options, a High Park full-service dentist has to provide special services to address specific needs:

   • Dental Implants: The quality standard in tooth replacement, implants are a permanent alternative that feels and looks like natural teeth.
   • TMJ Treatment: For those experiencing jaw pain or dysfunction, we offer treatments to address temporomandibular joint disorders.
   • Custom Mouthguards: For sports protection or prevention of teeth grinding at night, custom-fit mouthguards provide maximum comfort and protection.
   • Dental Sedation: For anxious patients or for more complicated procedures, sedation choices provide a pleasant, stress-free experience.
   
   

   We are committed to providing these specialty treatments in-house within High Park Dental Care, limiting the need to refer to an outside specialist.

Your Dental Health Partner in High Park

Having a High Park dentist who offers comprehensive care allows you to have all of your dental needs addressed in one easy-to-get-to location. From cleanings that prevent problems to advanced cosmetic and restorative procedures, the perfect dental team becomes your partner in long-term oral well-being.

At High Park Dental Care, we are proud to offer these top five services and more to the community. Our team combines high-tech equipment with a patient- and caring attitude to make each visit productive and comfortable.

Need to experience ultimate dental care in High Park? Call High Park Dental Care now at (416) 766-6383 to schedule an appointment. Your healthier, more beautiful smile awaits just a call away!