Emergency Resource Center

For a winning smile that inspires confidence, we need to keep our mouths healthy and clean. But with so many things that can go wrong inside your mouth, it can be hard to know when something is serious and when something will take care of itself. Too much brushing can be almost as bad as too little brushing.

Gum disease is the more common name for the technical term periodontitis. This oral disease presents as a serious infection. It works to damage the soft tissues in the mouth, and if no treatment is sought, teeth can loosen and even fall out. While this frequently happens as we age, it can also happen very prematurely if the signs ...

No one wants to hear that they need a root canal, but sometimes they are necessary. If you have a tooth that is severely decaying or infected, a root canal may be the only way to save it. Root canals are also sometimes necessary if you have had an injury to a tooth. Emergency root canals are necessary when the pulp...

Anyone can experience tooth pain in the teeth, gums, or jaw. It can range from a mild ache to a sharp, stabbing sensation. Pain can be caused by a wide variety of conditions, including tooth decay, gum disease, root canal infections, and even teeth grinding. In some cases, the pain can be caused by a medical condition such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).

Tooth extractions are common for many reasons. Teeth might be overcrowded and a removal is needed for alignment. Or, a tooth may be damaged by injury, infection, or decay. Whatever your reason for the procedure, caring for your mouth and extraction site after you’ve had a tooth — or multiple teeth — removed can help speed recovery ...

According to the CDC, half of adults have advanced gum disease, setting themselves up for future tooth loss. Perhaps if we stressed the importance of taking care of our gums as much as we do preventing cavities, this would not be the case. For as much as we urge children to brush in order to avoid cavities, one could argue that the gums are far more...

Periodontal disease is a gum infection that can cause serious damage to the soft tissues in your mouth. Also known as gum disease, periodontal disease can cause your teeth to loosen and shift. If left untreated, periodontal disease can spread to the bone that supports your teeth and can even caus...

Most people have experienced tooth pain at some point in their lives. Perhaps the pain came in the form of a cavity that had gone ignored a little too long or via a chipped tooth that occurred due to a facial injury. Whatever the reason, the best way to address severe tooth pain is to identify...

Tooth pain can be caused by a number of issues, from a cavity or abscess to gum disease, temporomandibular joint disorder, and more. Some of these issues are visually obvious or become apparent after a brief examination of the mouth. Other tooth pain – particularly pain related to TMJ or a hidden...

It's frustrating for dentists to watch patients who "can't afford" dental treatment to spend a lot on a new car or other luxury. Why does this happen? Ron Rice offers some theories that begin with dentists being perceived as too expensive. Being from Dearborn, Michigan, I have a lifelong inter...

If you have one or more missing teeth, the resulting gap left in your mouth has the potential to affect your oral health. Depending on the location of the gap, the impacts can be severe. Let’s take a look at some of the problems missing teeth can cause: Shifting teeth. When a space exists in your...

Grinding your teeth at night – officially known as sleep bruxism - is a condition in which you tightly clench, rub, or grind your teeth while asleep. Overnight teeth grinding is often associated with other sleep disorders like sleep apnea or snoring and can cause a host of issues if not add...

Visiting your dentist on a regular basis is an important part of maintaining good oral health. Your dentist's ability to monitor your smile for changes over time is an essential tool to ensure you are not overlooking critical dental issues. However, while professional dental cleanings are an esse...

While dental issues often come with pain or discomfort, it can be difficult to determine which are normal aches and pains that can wait until your regularly scheduled dental appointment and which necessitate a visit to an emergency dentist. In particular, if you begin experiencing issues at night...

If you have recently experienced tooth loss due to injury or prolonged dental issues, it is imperative that you take the necessary steps towards recovery so you can return to your regular activities. The process of regaining comfort and ability after tooth loss occurs in two stages - immediate af...

A dental emergency is a problem with your teeth, mouth, or soft tissue that a dentist must address immediately. In the event of a dental emergency, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. However, if your dental emergency occurs when your dentist’s office is closed, y...

Diabetes is a complex medical condition affecting millions of people. Anyone diagnosed with diabetes must be careful about what they eat and manage their blood sugar levels very carefully. Diabetes also carries a heightened risk of developing additional medical conditions, including increased vul...

Teeth can develop cavities from poor daily hygiene, and there are several possible methods for treating a cavity. One of the most common is treatment using amalgam filling. If you have developed a cavity and think you might need a filling, your dentist can provide you with specific advice for you...