Dental emergencies can damage your teeth, gums, and the other soft tissue in your mouth, leading to major pain or long-term damage to your oral health. When you experience a dental emergency, you should contact your dentist immediately to prevent further damage or help save a tooth. There are many different dental emergencies, some of which can be prevented or limited by taking some extra caution during activities. This blog will share some of the common dental emergencies and some ways you can avoid them.

Avoid Dental Parafunctions

Dental parafunctions are any acts that are done with your teeth that aren’t their normal function. These unnatural functions can include nail biting, teeth grinding, using teeth to open packages, or chewing on items that are not food. Avoiding these behaviors and not using your teeth as tools is the best way to avoid a dental emergency. If you want to avoid chipping or broken teeth, avoid anything unnatural for your teeth.

Stop Teeth Grinding And Clenching

One of the most common ways to wear down the enamel of multiple teeth is grinding the teeth. Most people don’t know that they are grinding their teeth, especially if it happens in their sleep. Those with high stress may also clench or grind during the day, putting more stress on the jaw joint and sensitive enamel. While your teeth are durable and meant to handle some force, the constant force of the opposing teeth during grinding and clenching can cause cracks or chips. Wearing a mouth guard at night or finding ways to limit stress in your life can protect the longevity of your teeth.

Consider A Mouth Guard

Another way a mouth guard can protect you from dental emergencies is by lessening the impact during sports or dangerous activities. Protective mouthguards need to be worn by professional athletes or thrill seekers, in case of an accident or fall that could knock one of your teeth loose. Mouth guards can be molded to the exact shape of your teeth, reducing the impact of external forces and protecting sensitive teeth from dental emergencies.

Practice Proper Oral Hygiene

The best way to prevent dental emergencies is to attend dental check-ups regularly and discuss any problems with your dentist immediately. If your teeth have become weak for another reason, the chances of them being knocked out, cracked, or infected increase dramatically. Brushing and flossing regularly help prevent bacterial buildup that weakens enamel and causes gum infections. An infection or decaying tooth makes you more likely to experience other dental emergencies such as excessive gum bleeding, cracked and chipped teeth, or mouth pain. 

Limit Acidic Foods

One of the most damaging things for your teeth is acidic food and drinks like coffee, wine, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and soda. Eating acidic foods and having limited dental hygiene can result in disaster for your teeth. Abscesses, gum disease, and untreated cavities can be considered dental emergencies, especially if they are causing you severe pain. The best way to limit damage and infection in your mouth is to drink plenty of water, brush twice a day, and visit the dentist regularly. Even if you can’t limit acidity in your diet, staying on top of your oral health will help prevent worsening decay. 

Emergency Dental Help From Our Team

Our dental team offers emergency dental services to ensure that all of our patients can have peace of mind about potential emergencies. Avenues Dentistry knows that accidents and emergencies are bound to occur, so we are available at the drop of a hat for broken teeth, knocked-out teeth, broken jaws, or severe tongue and lip damage. You can never control when an emergency might happen, but taking some extra caution and having a dentist you trust will limit anxiety around these problems. 

Located in Salt Lake City, Avenues Dentistry offers a variety of services including dental cleanings, sedation dentistry, root canals, dental implants, and more. Our family-oriented team is here to help you create a unique dental plan that meets your unique needs. Our office utilizes modern technology and techniques to help our patients love their smile and limit pain. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!

When you have your typical six-month cleaning, you probably have heard your dentist or hygienist call out different numbers during the appointment. Have you ever wondered what those numbers actually mean? Why do they call out so many different numbers while poking and prodding around your mouth? This blog will dive into what all those numbers mean and how they actually help your dental team. 

Gum Disease Severity

Some of the numbers you may hear refer to your gum health. Dentists use a specialized tool to measure how much gum loss you may have experienced. When the gums are inflamed, they also pull away from your teeth and leave an open pocket. The size of the pocket is what dentists are measuring.

A 1 means gingivitis is present, which is a mild form of gum disease and is the most treatable. When the gums slightly pull away from the tooth, your dentist will call out a 1, meaning that you can still prevent more serious gum disease with proper techniques. Removal of plaque and regular checkups will typically resolve the problem.

If you hear the number 2, mild periodontitis is present. While similar to gingivitis, even mild periodontitis can cause bone loss. Losing bone around your jaw can cause long-term issues and major concerns for older patients.  

When dentists call out a 3, that means periodontitis has progressed to a moderate stage. Deeper pockets have developed in your gums, and you could experience 20 to 50% bone loss around the tooth. Deeper pockets make it easier for bacteria and plaque to hide, leading to cavities and infections.

And finally, if you hear a 4, that is the most severe form of periodontitis or gum disease. Over 50% of your supporting jawbone is gone, and there are large pockets around your teeth. At this point, you will need surgical intervention to remedy some of the damage and hopefully prevent tooth loss. 

Tooth Numbers

Each one of your teeth is also assigned a number, which makes it easier for an assistant or hygienist to make notes of problem areas while the dentist is looking directly at your teeth. Dentists will call out the affected tooth and the corresponding gum disease number if needed. It is much faster and easier to call out “3 on 15” rather than saying “a level 3 infection on the upper left molar.” The number assigned to each tooth is as follows:

Upper or maxillary (starting on the right side)

• 1- Third molar
• 2- Second molar
• 3- First molar
• 4- Second bicuspid 
• 5- First bicuspid
• 6- Cuspid
• 7- Lateral incisor
• 8- Central incisor

Then repeats from bottom up on the other side of the mouth for numbers 8-16.

Lower or mandibular (starting on the left side)

• 17- Third molar
• 18- Second molar
• 19- First molar
• 20- Second bicuspid
• 21- First bicuspid
• 22- Cuspid
• 23- Lateral incisor
• 24- Central incisor

Then repeats from the bottom of this list on up to the right side of the mouth for numbers 25-32. 

How Dentists And Hygienists Actually Use Those Numbers

As previously mentioned, knowing these numbers and calling them out makes your appointment much shorter and makes less work for the dental team. These numbers also help a hygienist chart your teeth, as some patients may be missing teeth, not yet have their molars, or wisdom teeth. Numbering the teeth will help the dentist keep up on your dental progress and make sure that everything is accounted for. 

While it may seem confusing to patients, dental professionals have been trained on these specific call numbers to make their job easier. Calling out these numbers in fast succession isn’t overwhelming for a skilled dentist or hygienist. If you want to learn more about charting and dental numbers, feel free to ask your dentist at your next appointment. They can help answer any questions and may be excited to talk about their training or their day-to-day operations. 

Dental Cleanings From Avenues Dental

The team at Avenues Dental is committed to helping patients of all ages have healthy teeth and gums. We want you to love your smile, so we provide typical cleanings, restorative dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry services. For Salt Lake City residents and the surrounding areas, our dental team is the top choice if you want to have a healthier and longer-lasting smile. 

Each patient is unique, meaning that they need unique treatment. We help you to reach your oral health goals through customizable treatment plans and consistent appointments. Avenues Dental is proud to work with many different types of patients to ensure that you have healthy gums, teeth, jawbone, and tongue. Schedule a consultation or your first appointment to get started today!

Every child will start to get their baby teeth around 7-8 months. Babies will experience teething at different ages, but how many teeth should toddlers have? The definition of a toddler can range from around 1 to 3 years old, so there isn’t a set timeline for when your children should get certain teeth. While there is a progression order for baby teeth to come in, they may poke through the gums in different months for different toddlers. Let’s dive deeper into what teeth come in when and when you should be concerned. 

Every Child Is Different

Every baby and toddler is unique, which means that they will develop at different stages, without any cause for concern. Toddlers will develop teeth, start talking, and start walking all at different times. While it is important for children to hit certain milestones, the eruption has a range of ages. For example, central incisors or front teeth can come in any time between 8 months and 12 months. Parents need to keep in mind that their child may not be the same as another child. If you have concerns, meeting with a family dentist and discussing your concerns is the best way to get sound advice.

Front Teeth Should Come Around 6-9 Months

Babies typically start to teethe around 6 months old, and the first teeth that will poke through are the bottom central incisors. These bottom teeth and the top front teeth should be the first ones you notice your child developing. The range of ages at which babies get teeth will not be the same every time. If your child gets their two bottom teeth quickly but takes a few months to get their top incisors, there is no reason to panic.

Teething often makes babies slightly cranky, or they may develop a slight fever. If you can feel teeth underneath the gums but they are not poking through quickly, you can consult with your dentist. They may be able to provide pain relief or insight to make your child more comfortable.

18 Month Olds May Should Have Multiple Teeth

As a child progresses, their teeth will continue to poke through in a circular pattern. Front teeth or incisors will be the first to appear, lateral incisors will be next, followed by first molars and canines. An 18-month-old typically has around 7-8 teeth on top and bottom. If your child is eating solid foods, they should have a good number of teeth to make chewing easier and prevent choking. Molars can come in anywhere from 13 months old to 19 months old, and one side (both top and bottom) may come in before the other side. 

When Will They Have All Their Baby Teeth?

By the age of 3, most children will have all 20 of their baby teeth. The rear molars will be the last to come in, but children will be able to eat most foods without these back molars. Baby teeth at 3 will be really small and should fit comfortably in the child’s mouth, but if they look overcrowded or you are worried about cleaning them, meet with a pediatric dentist as soon as possible.

When Should I Worry About Baby Teeth Not Coming In?

While all tooth eruptions will look different for each child, there are times when you should take action or be concerned. As previously mentioned, meeting with a pediatric dentist at any point in your toddler’s development will be worthwhile and can provide peace of mind. If a child hasn’t had any teeth emerge by 18 months, this is when you should become concerned. Meet with a dentist as soon as possible if your child is approaching 18 months without teeth. 

Family Dentistry With Avenues Dentistry

Avenues Dental is proud to serve families and patients of all ages. We work hard to have the highest quality services, while making our office comfortable, no matter the procedure. Our oral health needs to be cared for each day through brushing, flossing, diet, and more. The Avenues Denistry team can help you understand the risks of oral cancers and tooth loss, and provide insight on how to help you love your smile for many years. Each patient will recieve the best treatment and bedside manner from our staff.

Call us to get a consultation or your first appointment.