Why See an Emergency Dentist for Facial Swelling?

If you suffer from a swollen face, dental care likely isn’t your first thought. You may imagine you’ll need care from a local skin doctor. Still, the truth is that you should see an emergency dentist for facial swelling matters. They can often treat the issue as easily as they would mouth pain or oral infections. As for how and why that’s the case, trust your Newton dentist to explain in this helpful summary.

Why See a Dentist for Facial Swelling?

To be honest, emergency dentists can (and usually do) treat facial swelling. Their education and training equip them to solve that particular problem.

It comes down to the fact that facial swelling indicates an abscessed tooth. When a tooth’s infection worsens enough, bacteria can start to irritate the area around your jawline. Facial tissues will then develop a rapid fluid buildup to fight off said bacteria. Once that happens, you’ll suffer a swollen face that feels and looks unpleasant.

Given the points above, a swollen face can point to a dental emergency. It’s a major sign that you have a tooth infection that’s getting much worse.

How Would They Fix the Problem?

Whatever you may have thought, a dentist’s treatment for facial swelling isn’t that special. They’ll simply follow the methods they always do for dental emergencies.

That emergency treatment process involves a few key steps. For starters, the dentist will conduct an oral exam and take some dental X-rays to diagnose the issue. Once they learn the cause of your swollen face, they’ll share their thoughts and suggest an effective procedure. This work could include root canal therapy, tooth extraction, and so on.

With just these actions, you can find a solution for facial swelling. You’d then get a face that looks and feels normal again!

Wouldn’t An ER Be Better?

Since facial swelling is often serious, it’s easy to think an ER could handle it better than an emergency dentist. However, the latter is a better treatment provider than the former.

You see, ERs usually can’t address facial swelling. Assuming your cheeks and jaw have “puffed up” from dental issues, their staff won’t have the right training to help. They’d only be able to provide you with pain relievers or antibiotics – half-measures at best.

You’ll get excellent results if you see an emergency dentist for facial swelling. So, don’t delay and schedule your dental visit soon!

About the Practice

Waban Dental Group is based in Newton, MA. Led by a large team of talented dentists, our practice aims to provide all patients with the best dentistry possible. We meet that goal by offering preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments tailored to each smile and its unique needs. In other words, our team is always ready and able to help your teeth and gums thrive! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (617)-527-6061.

Urgent Care with Quality: What to Look for in a Good Emergency Dentist

At the outset, you may not care who you see for a dental emergency. Just finding an available dental provider can seem like the highest priority in your situation. However, the truth is that you should know what to look for in a good emergency dentist. You won’t get the urgent oral care you need if you don’t, leading to all sorts of problems down the line. So, let your Melrose practice lay out four factors you should consider when searching for an emergency dentist.

Wide-Ranging Emergency Services

You’ll want to find an emergency dentist who offers a wide range of emergency services. Otherwise, there’s a good chance you won’t get quality treatment.

Remember, dental emergencies tend to vary. Each is distinct and has its own set of potential causes at work. If your chosen dentist only provides one or two emergency services, they may be unable to help. That would mean living with your dental issue even longer, putting your smile at greater risk of harm.

Top-Tier Dental Technology

In your search for care, you should also ensure the dentist has top-tier dental technology. The quality of their tools will affect your treatment results.

Even if a dentist is skilled and knowledgeable, that won’t matter if they lack the right technology. Some dental treatments can only be done with specific dental tools. When a dentist doesn’t have them, a needed procedure could be too unsafe. Proceeding anyway would just cause further damage to your smile.

Close Location & Accessible Hours

The ideal emergency dentist will also have a close location and accessible hours. If the one you pick doesn’t have these things, your situation will likely get worse.

By their very nature, dental emergencies demand near-immediate care. Delays in treatment make them more severe and tend to result in long-term complications. Given those facts, seeing a dentist with a distant location or limited hours would be unwise. Doing so puts your smile in a lot of danger.

Helpful Payment Options

When treating a dental emergency, you may assume money is (or should be) no object. Even so, you should pick an emergency dentist who offers helpful payment options.

Note that a treatment is only useful when you can afford it. If the fix for your dental emergency exceeds your budget, you simply won’t be able to get it. Fortunately, some dentists offer payment options that help patients cover their treatment costs. These range from flexible financing programs that let you pay in installments to dental membership plans.

Clearly, knowing what to look for in an emergency dentist is crucial. Keep the factors above in mind as you make your pick!

About the Practice

Melrose Dental Group is based in Melrose, MA. Led by Dr. Piro Leno and his team, our practice aims to give each patient truly thriving teeth and gums. That goal leads us to tailor our preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments to your smile and its unique needs! In doing so, we’ll make your mouth prettier and healthier than ever before. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (781)-665-1552.

Is Lip or Tongue-Tie Treatment Available for Adults?

As an adult, living with a lip or tongue-tie can be problematic. Although it may be something you’ve struggled with throughout your life, the challenges of eating, speaking, and socializing can become increasingly difficult as you get older. Fortunately, there is a solution that can remedy the problem once and for all – a frenectomy. Keep reading to discover the purpose of this treatment and how it can improve your overall quality of life.

What Are Common Symptoms Associated with Lip or Tongue-Tie?

Although you may already be struggling with eating certain foods and being unable to speak clearly, other symptoms can be associated with these banded tissues, such as:

• Frequent headaches or migraines
• Overcrowded teeth
• Indigestion
• Low self-esteem because of gapped teeth
• Overbite
• Pain throughout your head, neck, and jaw
• Increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease

Why Do Adults Develop a Lip or Tongue-Tie?

Lip and tongue-ties, otherwise known as tethered oral tissues (TOTS) or simply banded tissues, do not randomly form during adulthood. Instead, they are present after birth; however, if treated is avoided or dismissed during infancy and childhood, more serious problems can manifest later in life.

As you begin to develop more complex linguistics and eat a denser, more varied diet, you may begin to notice how challenging it can become to live with a lip or tongue-tie as an adult.

What is a Frenectomy & How Can It Help?

The good news is that you don’t have to continue living with this problem. Instead, you can meet with a trusted dentist who is skilled and trained to provide lip and tongue-tie treatment. Referred to as a frenectomy, the procedure is fast and highly effective.

While many dentists use traditional scalpels and sutures to perform the surgery, others turn to more advanced technologies such as the dental soft tissue laser. Designed for a more comfortable approach to treatment, this device contains a concentrated beam of light that quickly releases the banded tissue underneath the tongue or behind the upper lip, allowing for greater oral movement and range of motion.

As the laser lacerates the tissue, it will cauterize the area as well, reducing the amount of bleeding and swelling you might otherwise experience.

Treating your lip or tongue-tie as an adult can be one of the best decisions you’ll make as it concerns your oral and overall health. By addressing it now, you can maintain a greater sense of self-confidence no matter who you’re around.

About the Author
Dr. Lindsey McElligott is a Lexington dentist who earned her dental degree in 2008 from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Passionate about treating children and adults who suffer from lip and tongue-ties, she uses dental lasers to improve oral movement by releasing these bands of tissue. As a result, individuals can begin to experience a better quality of life. If you or a loved one have a lip or tongue-tie that needs to be addressed, contact us at (781) 861-7645.

Can My Toddler Be Treated for a Lip or Tongue-Tie?

Can My Toddler Be Treated for a Lip or Tongue-Tie? Toddlers bring a level of excitement to any household. With their curiosity for the world and eagerness to test out their walking and talking skills, you’re likely to find yourself busy from morning until night. But have you noticed lately that they are struggling more with eating certain foods or trying to say specific words or sounds? If so, it could be that a lip or tongue-tie is to blame. Find out what symptoms are attributed to this common problem and how a trusted dentist in your area can help.

How Can I Know If My Child Has a Lip or Tongue-Tie?

It’s common for infants and toddlers to show different symptoms than children and adults when it comes to knowing whether they have a lip or tongue-tie. For toddlers who are no longer nursing or taking a bottle, some of the most likely signs of there being a problem include:

• Difficulty moving the tongue outward
• Restricted range of motion for the lip and/or tongue
• Delayed speech
• Difficulty chewing and digesting certain foods
• Increased risk of tooth decay
• Mouth breathing
• Gagging or choking when attempting to eat

What Kind of Treatment Is Available for My Child’s Lip or Tongue-Tie?

The procedure used to address your toddler’s lip or tongue-tie is a frenectomy. This is the same process required for infants, children, and adults.

Using a soft tissue dental laser that produces no heat, vibration, or any other uncomfortable sound or feeling, the dentist will quickly release the lip or tongue-tie so that your child will immediately get to enjoy a wider range of motion.

In just minutes, your toddler’s lip or tongue will no longer be tethered, making it easier to eat the foods they love, practice speaking more clearly, and breathe easier each night. By following a few simple instructions for appropriate aftercare, you can ensure your little one’s lip or tongue-tie does not grow back but instead remains unattached and ready for use.

About the Author
Dr. Lindsey McElligott is a Lexington dentist who earned her dental degree in 2008 from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Offering lip and tongue-tie frenectomies to patients of all ages, she and the team at Lexington Smile Studio are here to make sure your child walks away with a healthier smile as well as greater confidence. Contact us at (781) 861-7645 to discuss your child’s eligibility for a frenectomy.