Tag: Dental

What Is a Dental Emergency?

Posted on by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

tooth pain header image

Knowing when to visit an emergency pediatric dentist can help your child avoid preventable pain, ease your worry, and even save you money in the long run. As the top kids’ dentist in Greenville, NC, Wilson Pediatric Dentistry can provide rapid assessments and care for various timely situations like knocked-out teeth, abscesses, or swelling. Learn when to visit your emergency dentist in Greenville and rest easy.

What Is an Emergency Pediatric Dentist?

An emergency pediatric dentist addresses sudden, painful, and urgent dental needs within a 24-hour window, giving your children quick relief and treatment and preventing conditions from deteriorating. At Wilson Pediatric Dentistry, we have a designated emergency hotline specifically for scheduling and getting your children in as quickly as possible.

Emergency dentistry covers a wide range of different ailments and situations, ranging from abscessed, impacted teeth to sports accidents. It also encompasses damaged or lost crowns, loose fillings, and chips. It can also be highly preventative, as chipped or cracked teeth could develop dangerous and painful abscesses and require root canals or total extraction.

When to See an Emergency Dentist in Greenville

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s oral health, we encourage you to get in touch. Our team can help determine what sort of care they need and whether an emergency appointment is necessary. Our priority if your care, and every case is different. There are, however, some situations that almost certainly require emergency care.

Chipped Teeth

Cracked or chipped teeth can be initially painful, but the real danger with damaged teeth is that bacteria can get into the crack and form an infection. Intensive dental care is often required when this happens. If your child chips or cracks their tooth, give us a call. We will be able to fully assess the situation and determine whether immediate dental care is required.

Missing Teeth

While chips and cracks happen occasionally, knocked-out teeth are a much more traumatic experience and can be more painful for your child. If possible, it’s essential to find and keep the tooth and contact our team immediately. Put the tooth in some milk to preserve it for as long as possible while waiting for your appointment.

Swollen Jaw

Swelling can be problematic and often constitutes a dental emergency. If your child experiences a facial injury, is having trouble talking, chewing, or moving their mouth, or has a lot of swelling, it’s time to give us a call.

Abscess

Abscesses are oral infections that generally manifest themselves in swelling and pus. They can be very painful for your child and require immediate emergency dental care. Abscesses can form from untreated chips and cracks and can worsen if not immediately treated by our team.

The Top Choice for Pediatric Dentists in Greenville

Get in touch if your child has dental pain, swelling, or missing or cracked teeth. Our team will answer any questions, talk you through treatment, and get your child an appointment as soon as possible if appropriate. For peace of mind and excellent care, call Wilson Pediatric Dentistry at 252-291-4300.

How Important Are Regular Teeth Cleanings?

Posted on by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

teeth cleaning header image

If you wonder whether regular dental cleanings are necessary for your child, the answer is yes! Professional teeth cleaning by a pediatric dentist in Greenville, NC, can promote oral health and hygiene. Let’s look at how essential regular teeth cleaning is for your little one.

Teeth cleaning involves removing plaque, tartar, and food debris from the teeth. A pediatric dentist uses special tools to clean the teeth, including areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. Here are the top reasons why teeth cleanings are crucial for your child.

Prevent Cavities

Every child who has teeth is at risk of tooth decay. However, the risk is higher in children who eat foods that cause cavities or have poor oral hygiene habits. Teeth cleaning eliminates plaque and tartar, the primary causes of cavities. It also gets rid of food particles stuck between the teeth, which discourages the buildup of harmful bacteria in the mouth.

Fight Gum Disease

Plaque buildup on the teeth can cause children to develop gum disease or gingivitis. Gum disease is prevalent among children who have poor oral hygiene. Luckily, regular dental cleanings can help prevent it. The procedure removes plaque from the teeth and eliminates bacteria that infect the gums. This helps keep the gums healthy and strong.

Prevent Premature Tooth Loss

Tooth decay can weaken your child’s enamel and increase the risk of premature loss of the milk teeth. Gum disease can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, which leaves the teeth with inadequate support. As a result, the milk teeth can loosen and fall out before their time.

Your child should get regular dental cleanings, even if they have milk teeth. Frequent cleanings curb tooth decay and strengthen the gum line, preventing premature loss of the milk teeth.

Brighten the Teeth

Although stained and discolored teeth are considered an adult problem, they are also an issue for kids. Plaque, oral medication, and highly pigmented foods can discolor your child’s teeth.

Dental cleanings brighten the teeth by removing the existing stains. They also prevent discoloration from oral supplements your child takes daily. The bright, beautiful smile that follows can boost your child’s confidence and self-esteem.

Get Rid of Bad Breath

Poor oral hygiene, tooth decay, and gum disease can cause bad breath, also known as halitosis. If your little one has bad breath, schedule a professional cleaning immediately. The cleaning procedure will eliminate the harmful oral bacteria responsible for halitosis. Your pediatric dentist will also treat tooth decay and other dental conditions that may be responsible for the problem.

How Often Should Your Child Get Their Teeth Cleaned?

There are no set rules on how often children should get their teeth cleaned. The frequency of dental cleanings varies depending on a child’s unique needs. For example, frequent cleanings and examinations may be required to maintain optimal health if a child is at risk of cavities or gum disease.

Schedule Your Child’s Teeth Cleaning in Greenville, NC

Protect your child’s oral health by scheduling frequent teeth cleanings. If you don’t have a pediatric dentist, we are accepting new patients at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. Our friendly staff will make your child feel at ease throughout each procedure. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.