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What is a Dental Emergency?

While regular dental cleanings have been postponed until further notice, Newbury Smiles remains open for those who are experiencing dental emergencies. However, what you think may be an emergency many not be an emergency at all, so to help you determine whether or not you need to come in for an emergency dental appointment, here are a few things to consider.

  • Do you have severe pain that doesn’t go away with painkillers and other pain relieving methods?
  • Have you had an accident that has caused an entire tooth to be knocked out, or has caused it to become loose?
  • Is there an infection present? Signs will include: swelling, bleeding, and knots on the gum.
  • Do you have uncontrollable bleeding from the mouth?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have a dental emergency on your hands. Give us a call at 310-746-5202, and we’ll do our best to make sure that your emergency is taken care as quickly as possible.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and maintain your oral hygiene routine until we can see each other again.

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Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Prevention

Children’s teeth are as important as adult teeth and therefore should be taken care of accordingly. In fact, children’s teeth are more prone to decay, particularly infants and toddlers because of what is known as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay primarily affects the two front teeth, but can occur on any visible tooth. It’s most commonly caused when a baby’s teeth are frequently exposed to sugar and not cleaned afterwards. For instance, putting a baby to bed with a bottle and not brushing their teeth afterwards can lead to Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

Tooth decay can also occur from caregiver to baby transmission, such as when the caregiver of the baby puts the pacifier or baby spoon into their mouth and then to the baby’s. If there is cavity causing bacteria present in the caregiver, it can be passed on to the baby.

With these things in mind, here are ways to prevent tooth decay in infants and toddlers:

  • Wash baby’s gums with a clean washcloth or damp gauze after every meal
  • Avoid putting pacifiers, spoons, and other objects that enter a baby’s mouth in your own mouth
  • Use only milk, formula, or breast milk in baby bottles. Babies and children should not have sugar water or juice in their bottles before bed
  • Use only clean pacifiers at bedtime
  • Brush teeth with a rice grain size amount of toothpaste when the first tooth comes through

Children should pay a visit to the dentist when their first tooth comes in. Any questions and concerns about tooth decay and other common ailments affecting a child’s dental health can be directed at your dentist.

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