Category: Uncategorized

Thanks to a wave of innovations, dental professionals are on the brink of a revolution that promises to transform how oral care is delivered.

From advanced imaging technology that spots dental disease with pinpoint accuracy to regenerative dentistry offering the potential to grow new teeth, the future holds unprecedented possibilities!

The Evolution Of Dental Technology

Dental technology has come a long way from the early advent of X-rays, with advancements such as laser dentistry offering the potential for minimally invasive alternatives to treat periodontal disease and reshape gums. Let’s explore the most common use cases these technologies hold for dental practices in the future:

Artificial Intelligence In Dentistry 

At the forefront of dental innovation, artificial intelligence empowers dentists to detect cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer more accurately than before. But beyond being able to diagnose dental disease more quickly, AI is also used in prosthodontics.

AI helps in crafting custom dental restorations, such as dentures and crowns using CAD/CAM technology to ensure perfect fits and improved shade matching.

3D Printing: Customizing Dental Solutions 

Every dental practice will be looking to integrate 3D printing due to its ability to deliver highly customized solutions. This technology allows for the creation of crowns, bridges, prosthetics and orthodontic devices.

Today, CAD/CAM systems and 3D printing enable rapid on-site production of custom restorations, enhancing patient care and convenience.

Plus, in dental research, 3D printing is being used to create models that advance our understanding of conditions like dental caries and guide precise treatment planning.

Teledentistry

Teledentistry transforms the delivery of dental health care by connecting patients and professionals through a virtual environment. It’s a convenient way to receive care, especially for those facing barriers to in-person visits.

Robotics In Dentistry 

While not fully implemented yet, robotics has the potential to usher in an era of efficiency for the dental industry. Some robotics have the potential to assist dental professionals with complex implant surgeries, which can reduce human error.

Digital Imaging And Diagnostics 

Technologies like intra-oral cameras are equipped with advanced liquid lens capabilities so that dentists can capture high-resolution images of hard-to-see areas in the mouth. Beyond just improving routine care for both the patient and practice, digital imaging plays a vital role in identifying complex conditions, including oral cancer-associated genes.

Patient Experience 

With every passing new technology, the patient experience is improving. Even hyper-advanced innovations like augmented reality can help alleviate the dental anxiety that haunts many patients.

There is also laser technology that delivers minimally invasive procedures with less discomfort and faster recovery times. More and more companies are releasing smart toothbrushes to promote better oral hygiene to prevent damaged teeth.

Ethical Considerations And Challenges 

Some ethical considerations need to be addressed; these cutting-edge technologies may have a high price tag that makes them inaccessible to underserved populations.

Data privacy can be a concern since sensitive information must be protected from cyber threats.

Conclusion 

These dentistry innovations are paving the way for better patient outcomes by utilizing everything from robotics and teledentistry to 3D printing.

At our dental clinic in Winnipeg, we’re staying at the forefront of these innovations to deliver the most advanced personalized care possible. To experience the latest in dental care firsthand, contact us today and see how state-of-the-art dentistry can elevate your smile and oral health.

Getting dentures can change your life for the better. Dentures can give you confidence in your smile, make it easier to enjoy food, and even drastically improve your overall health.

Before you get dentures, it’s important to understand that there’s an adjustment period. You’ll need to practice eating and talking—dentures dramatically change your mouth. You’ll also need to learn some new oral hygiene routines and may experience soreness during the adjustment period.

There’s good news, though—once you’ve adjusted to your dentures, the awkwardness and discomfort will subside. Soon enough, you’ll hardly even notice your dentures are there. 

With that in mind, we’re here to give you some information to chew on; here are our tips for adjusting to life with dentures: 

Understanding The Adjustment Period

Adjusting to dentures takes time—the process may take several months. Here’s how it breaks down for most patients:

• Week 1: This is usually the most challenging period—both you and your mouth need to adjust to the dentures. You can expect discomfort, gagging, soreness, and difficulties eating, drinking, and speaking. You may also experience excessive saliva production. This is the period in which your dentist will make the most adjustments to your dentures. It’s all manageable, though—and in the next sections, we’ll give you tips on how.
• Month 1: Most people have adjusted to their dentures somewhat at this point; chewing can still feel a bit awkward, however. Your speech will have improved, and you’ll experience less discomfort and less difficulty speaking.
• Months 2-6: Eating and speaking should be quite comfortable now, and discomfort will have dramatically subsided, if it still exists at all. During this period, your dentist may reline your dentures.
• Month 6 and onward: You should be well adjusted to your dentures at this point; your speaking and eating should be unbothered, there should be no discomfort, and your oral health routines should be well-established. After this, you’ll only need occasional relinings. 

Tips For Speaking With Dentures

Speaking with dentures can be challenging at first. You may hear clicking sounds when you speak, and many patients have difficulties pronouncing “F” and “S” sounds. You may also feel like you’re talking louder than normal. Here are a few ways to improve these problems:

• Practice, practice, practice: Speak to yourself, speak to your closest loved ones, speak anytime you won’t feel embarrassed—and even at times when you might. For a challenge, you can practice tongue twisters; they’ll help you enunciate different letters more clearly. 
• Start slowly: To prevent the clicking sound that can occur, and to help you master each sound you make, we recommend speaking slowly and deliberately until you’ve gotten the hang of things.
• Bite down and swallow: Biting down gently and then swallowing before speaking can help set your dentures in the correct position—and that makes everything else that much easier.
• Don’t worry too much about volume: Dentures make many people feel like they’re speaking too loudly. That’s because dentures change your mouth’s anatomy, which affects sounds—and how you hear yourself. Typically, you’ll find changes to your voice more dramatic than other people, and you’ll adjust soon enough, so don’t worry—you’re probably not shouting. 

Tips For Eating With Dentures

Wearing partial or complete dentures will change how you eat—from how you bite and chew to your saliva production (at first). Fortunately, there are a few ways to adjust and relearn how to chew and eat:

• Start with soft foods. Softer foods are easier to chew; they’re also easier on the soft tissues, like your gums and the roof of your mouth, which are likely to be sore in the first few weeks. When you first start wearing dentures, soup, smoothies, and other liquid foods are best.

• Keep it cool. You may find it hard to detect the temperature of your food at first because dentures can insulate the roof of your mouth. Feel your food with your lips and tongue before eating it to avoid burns. Avoid holding hot liquid in your mouth, too—it can loosen your dentures.
• Avoid spicy or sour food at first. Your mouth may have developed sores and irritation—spicy or sour food can further irritate your mouth. 
• Avoid sticky foods. Gum, taffy, peanut butter, and similar foods can dislodge your dentures.
• Start slowly, go small, and chew food carefully. Cut your food into small pieces, take the time to chew on every piece, chew on both sides of your mouth, and pace yourself. By being deliberate and mindful about your eating, you’ll quickly improve your eating skills. 

Managing Discomfort And Soreness

One of the points of dentures is to improve your overall oral health. By learning to use dentures properly, you can actually reduce discomfort and soreness when compared to having missing teeth or seriously damaged natural teeth.

At first, however, discomfort and soreness will be a problem. You can improve these problems in a few ways:

• Remove your partial dentures at night.
• Use a salt rinse (especially after a tooth extraction).
• Clean your dentures.
• Use over-the-counter pain relief medication when necessary.

After a short while—and some follow-up appointments with your dentist—the discomfort from your new dentures will disappear.

Maintaining Oral Hygiene With Dentures

Oral hygiene is just as important with dentures as it is with a full set of natural teeth. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Handle your dentures with care. Be gentle with them, and don’t bend the clasps.
• Rinse your dentures after eating. A quick rinse under the tap to dislodge food particles is all you need; pad your sink so that you won’t break your dentures if you drop them.
• Brush your teeth and mouth after removing your dentures. You’ll want to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste on your natural teeth, tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth.
• Brush your dentures every day. Use a soft-bristled brush and a denture cleanser.
• Soak your dentures overnight. A denture cleanser will help you get the best results.
• Rinse your dentures before putting them back in your mouth.
• Visit your dentist for each of your scheduled follow-up appointments. They’ll keep tabs on your oral health and adjust your dentures as necessary. 

Building Confidence With Dentures

By following the above tips, you’ll quickly adjust to life with dentures—and from there, live a happier, healthier life. 
Looking for a dentist Winnipeg residents can trust with dentures, from the initial fitting to adjustments, advice, and more? You’re in the right place; contact Fresh Dental for dentures today.

Your smile is the first thing people notice about you. So, a damaged or missing tooth can really leave a lasting impression—but not the one you want. Fortunately, there are many dental solutions for replacing them, one of which is a dental implant. 

What Are Dental Implants?

Most dental implants have posts made out of titanium or zirconium oxide that are inserted into the jaw to hold an artificial tooth. The dental implant acts as a root for the artificial tooth, which is attached to the implant. The dental implant acts as an anchor and holds the replacement tooth in place. 

Before The Procedure

If you’re considering dental implant surgery, it’s a good idea to consult your dentist before finalizing the surgical procedure. Here are a few things to consider and clarify before the procedure: 

• Do an evaluation of your overall health, as this could affect how long it will take for you to heal after the dental implant procedure. 
• Ask your dentist what dental implant brand and model is being used, and keep this information for your own records. 
• If you’re a smoker, ask your dentist if this will impact your implant surgery and if they think it will affect the success of the dental implant in the long term. 

After The Procedure

Once your dental implant placement is done, follow these steps:

• Carefully read and follow the instructions your dentist has provided to you after the dental surgery. These instructions will include steps to maintain good oral hygiene and avoid early implant failure. 
• Add regular dental appointments to your calendar to follow up on your dental implant and ensure all is well. 
• If your artificial tooth or dental implant is feeling loose, contact your dental provider immediately. Although unlikely, your dental implant could come loose and it’s important to rectify the situation right away. 

Potential Risks & How To Mitigate Them

With many surgical procedures out there, dental implant surgery comes with risks. Some of these risks include:

• Damage to natural teeth surrounding the implant during the dental implant placement. 
• Injury to surrounding tissues during implant surgery.
• Early implant failure (the artificial tooth coming loose shortly after the surgery.)
• Rarely, post-surgical numbness due to possible nerve damage.

The good news is that you can minimize these risks by maintaining good oral hygiene, such as brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and using mouthwash. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are key to monitoring your dental implant health and detecting any issues early on. 

Long-Term Maintenance

Once your dental implant surgery is complete, you must do the following to ensure long-term success:

• Regular and consistent care is absolutely crucial for the long-term success of your dental implant(s). 
• Book and don’t miss your check-ups with your dental professional.
• Always be vigilant and monitor your mouth for changes that may occur.

Conclusion

Even though dental implant surgery has risks associated with it, you should take into consideration that most dental implants are successful. If you think this could be a good solution for a damaged or missing tooth, speak to a professional about dental implants in Winnipeg and learn the best way forward for your unique scenario. 

A bright, white smile is often associated with good health and confidence. For those looking to achieve noticeable results, professional teeth whitening methods provide an effective and safe way to whiten your teeth, offering long-lasting outcomes. While over-the-counter treatments exist, they rarely match the effectiveness of in-office whitening techniques.

What Is Professional Teeth Whitening?

Professional teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that uses high-concentration bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, to remove tooth stains and brighten your smile. Unlike at-home whitening kits, professional treatments are administered under the supervision of dental professionals, ensuring a more controlled and safer process, especially for individuals with sensitive teeth or existing dental concerns.

In-Office Teeth Whitening Methods

One of the most common professional teeth whitening methods involves in-office treatments using advanced whitening agents and sometimes laser teeth whitening technology. These methods typically produce faster and more dramatic results compared to at-home solutions. Patients often see a significant difference after just one session, making it a popular choice for those seeking a brighter smile for an upcoming event.

Professional Teeth Whitening Procedure

The professional teeth whitening process is carefully structured to ensure both efficacy and safety. Here’s an overview of what to expect during a typical treatment.

Examination

Before beginning any teeth whitening process, a thorough dental examination is necessary to assess the condition of your teeth and gums. Your dental professional will check for cavities, gum disease, or tooth sensitivity, ensuring the whitening procedure will not cause any further irritation or damage to your soft tissues or tooth enamel.

Preparation

Once the examination is complete, your dentist will prepare your teeth for the whitening treatment. This may involve a professional cleaning to remove any plaque or debris, ensuring the bleaching agent works more effectively. To protect your gums and surrounding soft tissues, a barrier is applied to minimize the risk of gum irritation during the process.

Application

In-office whitening treatments typically use powerful bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which are applied to the surface of the teeth. Depending on the method, a light or laser may be used to activate the whitening agent, speeding up the bleaching process.

Monitoring

Throughout the procedure, your dental professional will closely monitor the whitening process to ensure optimal results. If needed, the whitening agent may be reapplied several times to achieve the desired level of whiteness.

Post-Treatment Care

After the whitening treatment, your dentist will provide you with specific instructions for maintaining your brighter smile. This often includes avoiding certain foods and drinks that can stain your teeth, using a whitening mouthwash, and practicing good oral hygiene to prolong your results. Regular check-ups are also recommended to ensure the longevity of your whitening treatment.

Conclusion

Professional teeth whitening offers a reliable solution for achieving a whiter, brighter smile. With the guidance of dental experts, you can enjoy safe, effective results that outlast most over-the-counter options. Whether you have sensitive teeth or are simply looking for a fast way to enhance your appearance, our professional teeth whitening in Winnipeg provides a customized approach for long-lasting results.

For more information or to book your appointment, contact us today and discover how a brighter smile can transform your confidence.

Introduction

When you have a tooth extraction, the healing process may not always be linear and straightforward. For the best oral health, your extraction site must remain clean with minimal disruption. What do you need to know about caring for your post-extraction site? 

For guidance on managing a tooth extraction, read this guide to learn everything from why you may need to have a tooth removed to how to manage without pain medications. Let’s take a closer look at managing your extraction site! 

Importance of Post-Extraction Oral Care

Taking care of your tooth extraction site is crucial to help you manage severe pain and eliminate the risk of complications like dry sockets and infections. The healing process depends on your care and maintenance of the swelling, blood clots, and more. 

Understanding Tooth Extraction 

Before we dive into how to care for your surgical site, here are a few reasons why your tooth might need to be removed in the first place and what you can expect: 

Reasons for Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is never the first choice for your dentist or oral surgeon. Instead, it’s a last resort when the tooth has moved beyond the point where it can be repaired via fillings or crowns. 

Some reasons why oral surgery might be the right move include: 

• Advanced dental cavities 
• Fractured teeth
• Impacted or crowded teeth
• Dental injuries from sports or accidents
• Advanced gum disease

Extraction Procedure Overview

Tooth extraction is a routine procedure for most oral surgeons and dentists. They start by giving local anaesthesia to make you comfortable, ensuring that you will be painfree throughout the procedure. The goal is to keep you as relaxed as possible. 

From here, your dentist will do the hard work of loosening the tooth from the gums before pulling it. Sometimes, an incision is necessary to remove the tooth from its socket completely. 

Finally the socket may be curretted (soft tissue and infection scraped from the bony walls) and rinsed with saline.

Immediate Post-Extraction Care

The most important aftercare comes directly after the extraction takes place. The following guidelines will help you get through the early days of your recovery: 

Pain Management

Perhaps the most critical aspect of your post-extraction care is pain management. Dentists will often prescribe pain medication for the first hours or days following your tooth extraction. 

If you choose not to take the prescription medications, you can take Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) for pain and swelling. You should also finish any courses of antibiotics prescribed by your dental professional. 

Bleeding Control

Getting bleeding under control is one of the most essential tooth extraction aftercare endeavours to promote healing. Biting down on wet gauze pads is a great way to minimize bleeding and encourage clotting. Bite firmly for the best results, lasting for about a half-hour at a time. 

Specific actions can worsen your bleeding and make blood clotting much harder. For example, exercising or  smoking can affect clotting and delay healing. 

Initial Oral Hygiene Steps

While you want to hold off on brushing the surgical site for a few days, you can rinse your mouth early on. Using warm clean water, you can gently rinse to clean the extraction site within about 48 hours of the tooth extraction. Avoid rinsing too soon because it can impact the formation of a blood clot—an essential part of the healing process. 

Long-Term Oral Care After Extraction

Even after the site has healed, there are a few things you need to do to prevent future extractions: 

Cleaning and Brushing Techniques

Post-operative care means that you must take your oral health seriously. Cleaning and brushing are essential to prevent more tooth extractions in the future. You should always brush your teeth with firm pressure (once your surgical site has healed). 

Make sure to brush all sides of the tooth, including the front, back, and chewing surfaces. 

You should also ensure there are no food particles between the teeth by using dental floss. Combined with a solid brushing routine, this can prevent further issues with caries and tooth decay that lead to increased extractions. 

Dietary Considerations

Once you have a tooth removed, you may want to eat soft foods for a little while. Foods that have small parts, like seeds, can become lodged in the healing extraction site and cause long-term healing issues. Steer clear of hard or crunchy foods that can disrupt healing. 

In other words, you don’t want to do too much chewing, which can lead to soreness and swelling. 

The Role of Regular Dental Check-ups

Keep your teeth pristine by coming in for regular dental check-ups. We can perform X-rays and give you a clean slate for caring for your teeth. In particular, dentistry for children recommends that they should be seen about twice a year for proper maintenance and prevention. 

This allows dentists to catch problems early, often before an extraction is necessary. 

Possible Complications and How To Address Them

Not every tooth extraction goes smoothly. These are the most common complications and what you can do to address them early on:

Dry Socket

Sucking from a straw or smoking during the healing process can lead to dry socket, a painful condition where the blood clot is dislodged from the healing site. You will usually notice if you have dry socket about one to three days after the extraction. 

Your dentist or oral surgeon may prescribe mouthwashes or gels to cover the area and promote clotting to eliminate this painful complication. 

Infection

Sometimes, an infection can settle in, which is why antibiotics are typically prescribed in your post-operative instructions. Take the entire prescription as written. Many people try to skip doses or discontinue usage before it has time to run its course. 

If you notice pain, swelling, discharge, or difficulty with speaking, you might have an infection. 

Persistent Pain and Swelling

Most often, pain and swelling decrease by the second or third day following your extraction. If you find that your mouth is still extremely painful and the swelling has not gone down (or has gotten worse), you need to contact your dental professional immediately. 

This could be a sign of infection that will require the use of antibiotics. 

How and When To Seek Medical Attention

Pain is one of the first indicators that you may need medical attention. If it does not decrease with the use of prescription pain medication and it has been several days, you should seek medical attention to make sure that it is healing properly. 

Other instances where you should seek medical attention include:

• Loose stitches if an incision was made
• New or worsening bleeding
• Persistent pain and swelling
• Bad breath
• Warmth and redness in the affected area

Importance of Following the Guidelines

Keeping your extraction site clean and doing what you can to promote healing is important. If you don’t follow some of these guidelines, you may worsen the pain you’ll feel and prolong healing. You need to work to reduce swelling and control bleeding with proper aftercare, from gauze to ice packs. 

With the above guidelines, you have the keys to managing your surgical site and increasing your odds of having a problem-free healing process. 

Make sure to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent future extractions from being necessary— brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups. 

Final Thoughts

Whether you have wisdom teeth or another problematic tooth removed, there are many things you can do to minimize swelling and pain while promoting healing. Fresh Dental has the experience and skill you want on your side when it comes to removing a tooth. 

Give us a call today to see how we can help you manage your pain and get your smile back! 

Dental X-rays are images of your teeth. Dentists use dental X-rays to assess your oral health; they’re useful for both preventive and diagnostic care. 

Detecting Dental Issues Early

In dentistry, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Oral health issues tend to snowball—an untreated cavity may lead to a root canal, and untreated root canal infections may lead to extractions. Dental X-rays allow dentists to see cavities that may be hidden between your teeth or under your gums. They can also be used to find abscesses, bone loss, and other dental problems.

By detecting oral health issues early, dental X-rays reduce your risk of developing serious oral health problems. This has obvious positive implications for a patient’s health, and while dental X-rays may seem expensive, they’re generally much more affordable than the costs of treating undiagnosed dental issues when they’ve worsened. 

How X-Rays Guide Dental Treatments

Dental X-rays guide treatments in a number of different ways. They’re used to:

• Find and diagnose oral health problems that would otherwise be undetectable
• Assist in preparing for implants, orthodontics, and other dental treatments
• Assess the oral health of children, ensuring that there’s enough room in the mouth for permanent teeth, check on the development of wisdom teeth, and more

No two patients will have exactly the same oral health concerns. As such, dental X-rays are used with more or less frequency depending on the patient. Here are some examples of how often a dentist might recommend dental X-rays to different patients:

New Patients	Repeat patients with a high risk of tooth decay and oral health problems	Repeat patients with no tooth decay and a low risk of oral health problems	Children	Adolescents
A full set of X-rays is usually recommended	A full set of X-rays every 12 to 18 months until the risk of oral health problems decreases	A full set of X-rays every 24-36 months	Every 12-24 months or more frequently if tooth decay or other problems are present	Every 18-24 months or more frequently if oral health problems are present

By taking X-rays regularly, a dentist can continually plan a patient’s treatment, altering how frequently X-rays are taken as a patient’s oral health changes.

Dental X-rays are key for orthodontic treatments, too. They’re used to evaluate the position of all of your teeth, as well as the shape of your jawbone. With modern technologies, dentists and orthodontists can even model how the position of your teeth will shift after orthodontic treatments. 

What Are Dental X-Rays and How They Work

Dental X-rays use radiation in order to create images of your teeth. In most modern dental offices, dentists no longer use literal X-rays; instead, they use dental imaging technology. Dental imaging has a number of advantages over traditional dental X-rays:

• They use much less radiation.
• They can be viewed minutes after they’re taken—no need to wait for an external lab to process them.
• Your dentist can manipulate the dental images by zooming in, rotating the image, and more.

Most dental clinics continue to call dental imaging dental X-rays; we’ll do the same for the rest of this article. Broadly speaking, there are two types of dental X-rays:

• Intraoral X-rays are taken inside your mouth. These are the most common dental X-rays, giving your dentist a clear view of the areas between your teeth and under your gums. They help uncover tooth decay, bone loss, and other problems.
• Extraoral X-rays, which are taken from outside your mouth. These X-rays help uncover impacted teeth and give your dentist a better look at your jawbone, sinuses and your jaw joint or TMJ.

Types of intraoral X-rays

Bite-wing X-rays: These X-rays focus on the upper and lower teeth of one section of your mouth. They’re typically used to detect cavities between teeth and under the gums.

Periapical X-rays: These are used to diagnose the health of an individual tooth; they give your dentist a complete image of the tooth from crown to root. This means they can be used to detect issues like root resorption.

Occlusal X-rays: These are full-mouth X-rays, useful for finding issues in the floor or roof of your mouth. They can help your dentist detect fractures, impacted teeth, and more. 

Types of extra oral X-rays

Panoramic X-rays: These show every tooth in your mouth, as well as your upper and lower jaws. They show the position of all of your teeth, as well as potentially serious oral health problems like tumours.

A variety of other extraoral X-rays, like tomography and cephalometric projections, may also be used. These are less common than panoramic X-rays, however, which are typically done regularly.  Cone beam CT scans are used on a semi regular basis if called for.  They can help in treatment planning difficult root canals or extractions or for planning implant treatment.

Ensuring Safety in Dental X-Rays

Though the level of radiation in modern dental imaging is less than in the dental X-rays of old, your dentist will still take a variety of steps to protect you from radiation. These include:

• Using shielded aprons
• Keeping the source of radiation as far from you as possible
• Not prescribing unnecessary X-rays

Here at Fresh Dental, we take every precaution we can to ensure that your dental X-ray is safe and effective, minimizing your exposure to radiation while maximizing the effectiveness of our dental care.

There’s nothing quite like a dental emergency to ruin your day. But the truth is that dental emergencies happen. And when they do, you need to know the proper steps to take and where to turn for help.

In extreme cases where trauma has occurred to the face, including the mouth, it may be appropriate to call an ambulance or seek emergency medical services at a hospital. But most of the time, calling 911 for a dental emergency won’t get you the treatment you need. Instead, it’s best to call your dentist.

At Fresh Dental in Winnipeg, we’re proud to offer comprehensive emergency dental services to our patients in a caring and timely manner. Below are some of the most common dental emergencies we deal with on a regular basis.

What Is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any dental situation that requires immediate attention. If you’re in severe pain, have lost part or all of a tooth, are experiencing oral swelling, bleeding, or discharge, have a fever that you suspect is related to an oral infection, or can’t bite down or chew comfortably, there’s a high likelihood you’ve got a dental emergency on your hands. Even if you’re unsure if your situation qualifies as a true dental emergency, call our clinic for advice and schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

Common Dental Emergencies

Severe Toothache

If you have severe tooth pain that isn’t subsiding, it’s time to see a dentist. Leaving a toothache untreated will only lead to worse potential outcomes. A toothache can result from tooth decay, an abscess or infection, or a cracked or damaged tooth, to name a few potential causes.

The team at Fresh Dental will be happy to help you identify and treat the root of the problem using state-of-the-art techniques and equipment.

Object Stuck Between Teeth

If you’ve got something jammed between two teeth and you can’t remove it with dental floss, don’t get too aggressive. Instead, call Fresh Dental. Trying to remove a stuck object yourself can result in further damage, especially if you don’t have the proper instruments.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

Perhaps you bit down on something unexpectedly hard or knocked heads with someone during a sporting event, and now you’ve got a chipped or broken tooth. Rinse your mouth with warm water, apply gauze to the site of any bleeding, and use a cold compress or an ice pack on your face to reduce swelling (if necessary). A chipped or broken tooth is always considered a dental emergency, and at Fresh Dental we’re prepared and ready to help.

Lost Filling or Crown

If you lose a crown or filling, there’s a good chance you’ll be in quite a bit of pain. Also, your tooth will be compromised and will require immediate repair. Collect the filling or crown in a small bag or container, if possible, and head over to Fresh Dental for treatment.

Tooth That’s Come Out of Its Socket

If you get a tooth knocked out, time is of the essence. Find the tooth (if possible), treat for swelling, and seek emergency dental treatment as quickly as you can. Pick up the knocked-out tooth by its crown, never its root, and try to clean it as best as you can with a saline solution if you don’t have saline on hand you can use milk if you are not allergic or just use your own saliva if clean.  Once the root is clean try to place it back in the socket in the same orientation as it was before the accident.   If you feel like you may swallow it by accident then do not attempt to place it back in the socket but put it in a cup of milk or saline (water with a pinch of salt if no saline on hand) and try to get in to see your Dentist.  The sooner the tooth can go back into the socket the better chance of success (ideally less than 30 minutes).  Remember not to scrub or touch the root surface. 

Infection or Abscess

An oral abscess or infection is a serious issue. It can spread quickly to tooth and gum tissue or, indeed, throughout the rest of your body. If you’re experiencing painful and unexplained swelling on your gums or near the roots of your teeth, seek dental care as soon as possible. In the meantime, rinsing with salt water may be beneficial.

Broken Braces

If your braces break, you’ll likely be in quite a bit of discomfort. Try to gently tuck any wires back into place while in transit to the dentist, and avoid snipping them yourself at all costs. If you can’t tuck wires in comfortably, cover them with orthodontic wax or a cotton ball until you can get the treatment you need.

Fresh Dental Emergency Services

At Fresh Dental, we’re pleased to offer some of the best emergency dental services in Winnipeg. Call us with your dental emergencies, and we’ll fit you in no matter what—even outside business hours, if necessary. Our patients come first, and we look forward to helping you soon!

WINNIPEG, Manitoba:  At Fresh Dental, located at 2195 Pembina Highway, the staff recently went kayaking together.  In addition to combining cutting-edge technology with honesty and compassion, Fresh Dental makes teamwork a priority and truly invests in building relationships among its staff members, going beyond its professional routines.  

When it comes to dental care, Fresh Dental has a lot to offer.  With four experienced and highly regarded dentists on staff, the clinic provides everything from pediatric dental services to implants and oral surgeries.  In addition, Fresh Dental is fully accessible and offers dental services in multiple languages, including German, Hebrew, Afrikaans, Korean and Russian.  

But one major element of Fresh Dental that can’t be found in a five-star patient review is that they invest in staff team building.  This fact makes owner Dr. Bergen glow with pride.  He believes that strong teamwork is the foundation of any successful business and invests time and money into actively cultivating healthy staff relationships.  

Dr. Bergen notes that many employers talk about nurturing a team culture without actually taking action to make it happen.  Fresh dental decided to do something concrete.  “We did a kayaking team-building activity recently,” says Dr. Bergen.  “We rented kayaks from Type Eh, a small local start-up.  We launched just off of St. Anne’s on the Seine River.  We had a two-hour paddle, then rewarded ourselves with Pizza afterwards.”

While the outcomes of team building may not be as measurable as the results of filling a cavity or completing a root canal, Fresh Dental feels the positive impacts on a daily basis and plans to continue investing in its staff.  

Fresh Dental is currently accepting new patients and may be adding to its staff team in the future.  For more information about Fresh Dental and the services it provides, visit https://freshdental.frstage.ca.

While some dental emergencies are more common than others, they’re usually unpredictable, happening unexpectedly. You might need immediate dental attention, whether because of an infection, a knocked-out tooth, or severe tooth or jaw pain from an unexpected trauma. There are many reasons you can wind up needing emergency dental care, and most people don’t know how to properly respond to a dental emergency. 

Save yourself some pain and trouble, and have a solid preparation plan for whenever a dental disaster might strike. Here are some tips on how to prepare for a dental emergency:

What To Do 

Create a Dental Emergency Kit 

Think of it as a first aid kid but for dental emergencies. While a first aid kit might have a few things you could use, there won’t be nearly enough to help your fractured tooth or bleeding gums. You can purchase a dental kit with all of the supplies you’ll need, or you can put one together yourself.

An emergency dental kit should include the following:

• Latex gloves
• Orajel or clove oil
• Gauze pads, cotton balls, and cotton swabs 
• Ice pack
• Pain medication 
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Water 
• Toothbrush 
• Toothpaste
• Soft wax
• Dental floss
• Toothpicks
• Mouthwash 
• Salt
• Tweezers

Know What To Do/Talk To Your Dentist 

There are specific ways to treat each type of dental emergency. Your best course of action is to know what to do when emergencies occur. For example, if you’re dealing with a severely painful toothache, you can place a cold compress on your face and drink cold water before arriving at the dentist’s office. 

If you have a fractured, cracked, or chipped tooth, you should rinse your mouth with warm water and use an ice pack to control pain and inflammation. You can utilize something temporary, such as toothpaste or soft wax to keep the cracked tooth safe until you can see a dentist. 

If a tooth gets knocked out, you’ll want to pick it up by the crown instead of the root. When this dental emergency occurs, you’re going to want to act quickly. If the tooth is dirty, you can rinse it with saline solution if available or use the saliva of the person that lost the tooth.   You will then have to try your best to insert the tooth back into the socket. We know. It doesn’t sound fun, but it’s only temporary until you see your chosen emergency dentist.  

Soft tissue injuries such as biting your tongue or cheek can be cleaned with a saltwater rinse. To stop the bleeding, use a cold compress and some gauze. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, you should see a dentist as soon as possible because you may need stitches. 

Sometimes an object can get wedged and stuck between your teeth. If it’s causing a lot of mouth pain and discomfort, you can try removing it carefully. Avoid using sharp instruments on your teeth; use dental floss or a toothpick instead. Contact your dentist if the object cannot be removed. 

. 

Dental Insurance 

Having dental insurance can reduce the stress associated with the cost of emergency dental care. Your insurance should cover a portion of the cost and help reduce out-of-pocket expenses. The good news is that your dentist will have your insurance information in the system so that the dental emergency can be dealt with as soon as you arrive. Always double-check that your emergency dentist accepts your dental coverage to avoid any issues. 

Find an Emergency Dentist 

Look for a qualified emergency dentist that works in a clinic with flexible emergency hours. The last thing you want is to walk into an office without an appointment and have to wait for hours in the waiting room with an excruciatingly painful infection or dental emergency. 

To make things easier, choose that specific emergency dentist as your new go-to dentist. You’ll benefit from some of their other services, such as teeth cleanings, examinations, fillings, and other treatments. 

If you’d like to make an appointment with one of our dentists, or learn more about what to do about an unexpected dental emergency, visit https://freshdental.frstage.ca/. Our team is always happy to provide the individualized care that you need, and we offer an array of helpful services to get you smiling again. 

After you get a new filling, it takes a bit of getting used to. For the first few days, your tooth feels different, and maybe a little sore. But once a week goes by, you forget all about it.

A filling stops a cavity in its tracks. But here’s the thing: they don’t last forever. Eventually, they get damaged or worn out, and will require a replacement. 

So, how long does the average filling last? That depends on what material it’s made of. In general, metal fillings last the longest and can last over 10 years. However, they have disadvantages.  They are not considered aesthetic and so they are not suitable for front teeth.  Also, they don’t bond to the tooth and often require more tooth to be drilled for mechanical retention.

Many people opt for tooth-coloured fillings instead, even though they’re slightly less durable. On average, composite fillings last 5-7 years.

Want to learn more about filling replacements? Here’s everything you need to know:

Signs That You Need a Filling Replacement

Fillings (which are also known as dental restorations) replace decayed tooth material that’s caused by cavities. How do you know when it’s time to replace a filling? If you notice the following signs, it’s time to call your dentist:

• It feels loose. Press your tongue against the filling. Does it shift around when you apply pressure? If you just recently got the filling, it might not have been fitted properly to your tooth; call your dentist and ask them to adjust it. But if you’ve had the filling for years, and it’s only now starting to wiggle around, you might need to replace it.

• You notice pain and sensitivity. Discomfort could be a sign that there may be a problem with your tooth. It’s never something you should ignore. You may have lost the filling. Or, a new cavity may have developed that’s letting bacteria inside of your tooth. 

• You’ve had the filling longer than ten years. Do you remember when you got your first filling? Many of us develop our first cavity in our childhood. As an adult, you might not remember how long you’ve had that filling in your tooth. Chances are, it may be due for a replacement. 

Make Your Fillings Last Longer

Replacing a filling is costly. What can you do to keep your fillings from breaking?

Rule number one: don’t use your teeth as tools. If you open plastic packages with your teeth instead of scissors, now’s the time to stop.

The next step is avoiding hard foods. It’s okay to eat tough meat every once in a while. But remember that your teeth are not invincible. Things like ice, hard candies, and firm meats (like beef jerky) can cause damage. Opt for softer foods whenever possible. 

Finally, take great care of your teeth! Good care (brushing twice a day) isn’t enough. By great care, we mean flossing, regular cleaning appointments, and a healthy diet, as well. 

Schedule Your Dental Appointment Today

If you lose a filling, how soon do you need to replace it? The answer: ASAP.

When a dental restoration falls out, your tooth will have a hole in it. This space leaves your tooth vulnerable to bacteria, and it will also be more susceptible to breaking. At Fresh Dental in Winnipeg, we offer tooth-coloured fillings that blend in with your natural teeth. No one will be able to tell that you had a cavity. To schedule your filling replacement appointment, contact us today.