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Everybody knows that accidents happen. Knowing how to react or what to do when they happen, however, can make a huge difference. When it comes to your teeth, for example, it can mean the difference between losing and saving a tooth. If you find yourself in a situation where you have a dental emergency, you need to visit your dentist as soon as possible.

Have you ever wondered why you should see your dentist every 6 months? Many patients put their appointments off, failing to see the importance of seeing their dentist at least twice a year. This lets small problems become big ones.

Whether you are young or old, having crooked teeth can be embarrassing. Years ago, braces were the only option for those who wanted to have straight teeth. Fortunately, that’s not the case anymore.

TMJ disorder refers to a condition affecting the temporomandibular joint – the main joint found on each side of the face that connects the lower jaw to the skull. This joint moves in several different ways – both to open and close the mouth and to allow the jaw to slide forwards and backward and slightly from side to side. Ideally, the joint should move smoothly and with ease, but sometimes problems can occur.

If you are one of the millions of people who have one or more missing teeth, chances are that you have thought about what your options are. At OC Lakes Dental, we offer dental implants among other options for the Irvine, CA area. 

Dentists don’t simply pull teeth. Many consider tooth removal as a last resort in treating a dental problem. In fact, it’s generally only reserved for patients with dental concerns that no other treatment will work to solve the issue.

Gum disease is a progressive condition and will only get worse without treatment. As it advances, patients can expect to experience bleeding gums, bad breath, receding gums, severe dental pain, and eventually tooth loss. Some research has also shown that patients with advanced gum disease are more likely to develop serious health problems like diabetes and heart disease. If your dentist identifies that you are suffering from gum disease, you may be referred for a treatment called scaling and root planing.

Many people think that toothaches are only caused by areas of decay, but actually, dental pain can occur for a wide variety of different reasons. There are also different types of dental pain, ranging from persistent, dull throbbing pain, to a sharp pain that makes it impossible to eat or drink. The type of dental pain that you experience will vary depending on the cause of your underlying toothache. 

Digital x-rays, also known as digital radiographs, are a valuable preventative and diagnostic tool within dentistry.