When Should You Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Sep 1st, 2023
Easton Dentists Oct 5th, 2023

Most of us have had our wisdom teeth removed or know someone that has but if you are unfamiliar with the process, it can be a little mysterious.  Maybe the only thing you know about wisdom teeth removal is that your friend from high school or college missed a week of classes because of it but that does little in helping decide whether or not you need your wisdom teeth removed.

Wisdom teeth removal is a medical procedure commonly performed by dental professionals or oral surgeons. It involves the extraction of one to four of the patient’s wisdom teeth. This procedure is typically recommended for individuals between the ages of 15 and 25, although it can be performed later in life as well. Generally, younger patients tend to experience quicker and smoother recovery, making the procedure less burdensome compared to those performed at a later in life.

The main reasons for wisdom teeth extraction are to prevent future problems or to stop current problems.  When wisdom teeth grow in, they often do so at strange angles, which can lead to pain and infection.  By removing the teeth before they finish growing in, the surgery prevents infections down the line.  If the teeth have already broken through the gums, they can begin to push against other teeth and cause pain.  If they are causing irritation, immediate removal is often the best option.

For the actual surgery, the dentist or surgeon will first numb the area surrounding the teeth with a local anesthetic.  After that, they will make an opening in the gums above and around the tooth to make extraction easier.  The tooth is then separated from the jaw and gums.  As you can imagine, this would be a pretty painful procedure without the use of anesthetic.

After the surgery, the doctor will stitch up the area where the tooth had once been.  The patient is then sent home, usually with a prescription for painkillers.  Recovery time is typically a few days but could be longer if the patient is older or doesn’t follow the doctor’s orders.

The cost of having wisdom teeth removed varies but it would be best to talk to your dentist and insurance agency before you commit to anything.  If you still have questions about your wisdom teeth, let us know!  The Dental Center at Easton Town Center is more than happy to help.

When Should You Call an Emergency Dentist?

Feb 5th, 2023
Easton Dentists Oct 5th, 2023

Emergency dental services are needed for a wide variety of reasons. Here’s a list of common dental emergencies that should send you seeking an emergency dentist.

Knocked Out Tooth – Any sort of blow to the face or jaw that completely knocks out a tooth or multiple teeth is cause for an emergency dentist. If possible, save the tooth and hold it in place in the socket. If that’s not possible, gently rinse off the knocked out tooth without removing any attached tissue and then put the tooth in a glass of milk. Treatment for a knocked out tooth should not wait until morning. The sooner you get to an emergency dentist, the greater the likelihood that the tooth might be able to be re-attached.

Broken Tooth – If you are involved in an accident where a tooth is broken, try to save any pieces of the broken tooth that you can and rinse your mouth out with warm water. Again, put the broken pieces in some milk if possible. To decrease the swelling and pain, apply a cold compress to the area. Get to your emergency dentist as soon as possible.

Dental Abscess — If you notice a painful, pimple-like swelling on your gums, rinse with warm salt water and immediately contact an emergency dentist. Dental abscesses can lead to serious infections if not treated promptly.

Broken Jaw — Apply a cold compress to limit swelling and go immediately to a hospital emergency room or to an emergency dental clinic. If you suspect your jaw is broken, do not wait to seek help.

Object Stuck in Teeth — Carefully try to dislodge the object with dental floss. Do not try to use a sharp instrument. If you’re unable to dislodge the object with dental floss, contact your dentist.

Severe Toothache — Rinse your mouth out with warm water. Then use dental floss to make sure there isn’t any food or other debris causing the pain. If the pain is severe and persists more than a few hours, seek emergency dental care.

Lost Dental Filling or Dental Crown — For dental fillings, cover the area with a piece of sugarless gum or over-the-counter dental cement. If a dental crown has come loose, try to put it back in place with dental cement. If that doesn’t work, bring it with you to the dentist.

Here at The Dental Center, we are the emergency dentist in Columbus Ohio for the northeastern side of Franklin County. We are open extended hours to be available for most emergencies. If you find yourself in one of these situations, please call or come to our offices. We are here to help you.

How To Find A Columbus, Ohio Dentist You Can Trust

May 4th, 2021
Easton Dentists Jun 8th, 2021

One of the most important things to consider when you’re choosing a Columbus, Ohio dentist for you and your family is how comfortable you feel with that person.  If you trust your dentist, the odds are that you will visit them on a regular basis.

Is explaining your symptoms and asking questions easy for you? Does it feel as though the dentist is truly listening to your concerns and understands your questions?

Dr. Gilmer has over 10 years of experience in family dentistry and is committed to providing professional, advanced dental care to his patients of all ages. He is well respected in the community and is known for listening to his patients concerns.

Columbus, Ohio Dentist & The Dental Center

Now you can feel comfortable expressing your fears or anxiety with a doctor who treats every patient like family. With an emphasis on preventative care for the patient’s lifetime, our complete list of dental services caters to each patient.  From routine cleanings and emergency visits to complete smile transformations and restorative dentistry, we utilize the latest dental techniques to give our patients the most innovative services.

Our beautiful office at Easton is designed with your comfort in mind. By uniting a calm atmosphere with innovative technology, we have created a place where each of our patients receives the quality care they need and deserve – in the most efficient manner. That’s why we’re one of the Columbus, Ohio dentist providers.

From the moment you walk in our front door, our team will make you feel comfortable, cared for and welcome. Our state-of-the art facility has the latest certified equipment, so we can offer you the most advanced treatment options.

Flexible Columbus, Ohio Dentist Appointments

The Dental Center at Easton Town Center strives to deliver lifetime care to the Columbus area, because we believe that oral health is an integral piece to your overall health. But sometimes finding a Columbus, Ohio dentist that meets your schedule isn’t always easy.

Our philosophy is to provide care that will be in your best interest now, and in the years to come, so you have a smile that will last a lifetime working your schedule, not ours. That’s what makes life easy choosing your next Columbus, Ohio dentist.

We welcome you to make The Dental Center at Easton Town Center  your first choice in dentistry for your family. We are currently accepting new patients now. Make an appointment today by calling (614) 414-0111. Read more about scheduling your next Columbus Ohio dentist appointment.

5 Teeth Care Tips for Families

Mar 13th, 2021
Easton Dentists Apr 6th, 2021

As one of the best family dental practices in Columbus, we’ve seen hundreds of diverse families comprising of all ages and combinations.   Good dental care impacts every member of the family and requires a cohesive routine and commitment to the health of your teeth in order to build long-lasting health benefits for years to come.   In an effort to help you and your family initiate healthy practices at home, here are 5 tips we think you’ll find valuable.
  

1. Start Children Early

There’s a lot your children are learning from you during their early ages.   Toddlers are learning to walk and use the bathroom, while the older kids, if we’re lucky, are learning self-hygiene and how to pick up after themselves.   The earlier you start your children on healthy dental habits such as brushing and flossing or paying attention to diet, the more likely they are to take those habits into the later years and then into adulthood.
  

2. Brush twice a day and floss daily

As you develop these standard practices for the kids, make sure to set a good example.  Everyone in the home should brush in the morning and evening.  Flossing is unpopular and tedious but a very important part of preventing cavities and tooth decay.
  

3. Eat Smart

The teeth are there for one reason and one reason alone; to chew your food.  Therefore one of the most obvious and important factors to control in the quest for optimal dental hygiene is what goes in the mouth.  Sugars and salts are particularly bad for health and for the teeth.   A well-balanced diet of whole foods that include grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats is an excellent life habit for every family member, regardless of age or overall health.
  

4. Rinse after meals

Mealtime is when the teeth are exposed to the food and particles that settle into the enamel and get lodged between the molars.   It’s important to rinse the mouth with clean water after eating, especially if your dinner beverage is anything other than plain water.   This step is a supplement to proper brushing and flossing.
  

5.  Regular Check-ups

Most families only consider a dental visit when something goes wrong but regular check-ups for all family members can ensure long-term health and stability of the teeth and allows us to catch problem cavities or decay early on so proper treatment can be administered.  Might we suggest that today may be a good day to schedule an appointment at the Dental Center at Easton today?

What are the Signs of Needing a Root Canal?

Jun 11th, 2020
Easton Dentists Jul 1st, 2020

When it comes to endodontic therapy (root canals), there are many signs to indicate that you may need work done. With all dental work there are symptoms you may notice on your own and those that only a dentist can spot. The same is true with root canals, even though the most obvious signs you’ll be able to catch on your own. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for.

Tooth pain is the biggest indicator of needing a root canal. Persistent or recurring pain in a tooth on daily or monthly frequencies could be an indicator of a need for endodontic therapy. This can be anything from dull ache to unbearable pain. Whatever you have now, get it checked out by a dentist as soon as possible. If you need a root canal, the pain will only get worse the longer you put off your appointment. Another big sign is tenderness of the gums or anything more severe than that. Infected gums may ache, or they may swell noticeably even on the outside of your face.

Your dentist performs regular X-rays on your mouth, and these are the best way to detect low-grade infections. Dark spots (called a ‘radiolucency’) are indications of infected teeth. Similarly, more progressed infections will be visible to the naked eye as a tooth slightly darker than the teeth surrounding it.

While working, your dentist may sometimes notice that a tooth’s nerve has become exposed. This would eventually lead to internal infection, so they may opt to do a root canal at that time to save you the trouble of waiting until a dangerous and painful point down the line.

No website can help you with self-diagnosis. If you think you may exhibit some of the symptoms listed here, call The Dental Center at Easton (located in Columbus Ohio) to have a professional help diagnose what’s going on in your mouth.

When Should You Seek Urgent Care?

May 9th, 2020
Easton Dentists Jun 2nd, 2020

Urgent care from a dentist at The Dental Center at Easton Town Center(Columbus, Ohio) covers any situation involving your oral health that requires immediate emergency attention. If you experience any pain or discomfort associated with your teeth, gums, or any other area in or around the mouth, then you should seek urgent care right away! Your oral health affects every aspect of your daily life including communication and eating. Any situation that causes you pain or affects the regular functioning of your mouth should be treated immediately so as not to cause permanent damage.

A situation that requires emergency or urgent care is one that involves acute pain. Most often, tooth pain, or a “toothache”, is an inflammation of the dental pulp tissue caused by an infection. The infection is frequently from dental caries (tooth decay) or a cavity and can be treated with a filling, root canal, or tooth extraction.

Other pain-causing situations involve accidents. Maybe your child was just hit in the mouth with a ball during a sports event, or you got in a fender bender on the way home from work and injured part of your mouth. Accidents such as these can have an effect on your dental health and should be treated as soon as possible.

Many people have oral devices such as a crown or bridge in place. If these devices are damaged or lost, they can have a detrimental effect on your oral health. Sometimes issues with these devices do not cause pain, but it is still urgent that they get fixed so that your overall dental health is not affected.

Whether you’re having dental pain, had an accident, or are missing a dental device, you shouldn’t have to wait for treatment. Our Columbus based practice understands the importance of urgent dental care and is here to help you when you need it most with extended hours for emergency situations. We are centrally located at Easton Town Center close to New Albany, Gahanna, and Columbus so you’re never far from expert dental care! Contact us today to find out more about our urgent care services.

What is Urgent Dental Care?

Apr 5th, 2020
Easton Dentists May 8th, 2020

Urgent dental care is when a dental emergency occurs and requires immediate repair and treatment. Urgent dental care often involves acute pain in the mouth, gums, or teeth. Other dental emergencies include the loss of a needed dental device such as a crown or bridge. Oral health is very important because it affects aspects of your daily life such as eating and speaking. If you have a dental situation that requires urgent care, you want to get in for treatment as quickly as possible. At The Dental Center, we are centrally located at Easton Town Center and are minutes away from many major areas such as New Albany, Gahanna, and Columbus. We also offer extended hours for dental emergencies, so you’ll never have to live with dental pain for long.

Dental situations that cause acute pain of the teeth, gums, or other areas in or around the mouth require immediate treatment for pain relief and overall oral health. The most common dental emergency is pulpitis, commonly known as a toothache. Pulpitis is usually caused by dental caries (tooth decay) and is an inflammation of infected dental pulp tissue. Pulpitis is treated usually by a root canal or a tooth extraction.

Other situations, such as a misplaced crown or bridge affect the integrity of your mouth and sometimes cause pain. If you have lost a crown, bridge, or other dental device, then it’s important to get urgent care to repair it.

Whether you’re suffering from oral pain or need a dental device repaired, The Dental Center at Easton is the convenient choice for all your urgent care needs. Don’t wait another day to get the care and treatment that you need right away! Contact The Dental Center today for urgent care.

No Need To Be Afraid Of A Root Canal!

Sep 6th, 2019
Easton Dentists Oct 1st, 2019

Root canal treatment is performed when the pulp (core) of a tooth is diseased or damaged. This procedure requires the removal of the pulp followed by filling and sealing the inside areas (the pulp chamber and root canals).

There are a lot of myths surrounding root canal procedures. Many patients fear getting a root canal because they think it’s painful. However, this quite simply isn’t the case. With modern endodontic treatment, root canals are virtually painless. In fact they can actually relieve pain, by removing the cause of the problem causing tooth discomfort.

In addition, a root canal procedure can be the best way to save your natural tooth. Most root canals take an hour or less, and with modern pain medications, the patient will experience no pain whatsoever. Root canal procedures are actually the most comfortable, effective, and safest way to save the natural tooth, without the trauma of extraction, or the time and expense of a prosthetic tooth replacement.

Another concern is the perceived high cost of a root canal. In actuality, a root canal can cost thousands of dollars less than an implant, with much less treatment time.

It’s best to visit to your Columbus dentist on a regular basis (every six months is recommended), take good care of your teeth, and report to your dentist any pain you may be feeling. Preventative dental care may be the best way to avoid root canals. However , in many cases a root canal can be the best way to save the natural tooth. Generally, It’s a painless and very time efficient procedure-nothing to be afraid of.

What Should You Do When a Dental Emergency Occurs to Your Child?

Oct 12th, 2018
Easton Dentists Nov 12th, 2018

You are sitting with other parents while the kids are in the middle of playing in a Little League game. All of a sudden, everyone is looking at you and you can hear the unmistakable sound of your young baseball player sobbing and holding his mouth in obvious pain. He’s been hit in his front teeth on a misplayed ground ball, and a brand new permanent tooth has been knocked out.

While you try to calm your wet-faced, bloody son, one of the parents suggests that you to put the tooth in a glass of cow’s milk. What kind of suggestion is that? You wonder if that has to be an old wives tale, but it turns out not to be. One thing you know for sure is that you need to get him to an emergency dentist as soon as soon as you can.

Dental emergencies can happen at any time. Knowing what to do when the moment arrives can mean the difference between your child keeping or losing his tooth.

 

A Few Common Dental Emergencies and How to Handle Them

Make an effort to have a dentist saved on your cell phone. Severe pain or broken teeth can happen at any moment and can bring even the most stubborn people to the dental office.

 

Knocked Out Tooth

Kids rough house, teenagers play sports, and adults take a “you only live once” approach to learning how to skateboarding. At the moment when a tooth does get knocked out, pick it up by the crown (not the root), gently rinse with water, and try to gently push it back into the socket. Should this not be possible, place it in a glass of milk and make contact with your dentist (or one that you can get a more immediate appointment.)

 

Toothache

A toothache can totally immobilize you. Possible causes can be: tooth decay, infection, tooth eruption, an abnormal bite, or trauma to the tooth. Make an appointment with a dentist and rinse your mouth with warm salt water, take an ibuprofen or acetaminophen, apply an over-the-counter antiseptic and a cold compress to the outside cheek next to where  you believe the afflicted area is located to relieve pain or swelling.

 

Crown or Filling Falling Out

Should your crown falls out, gently wipe the crown or filling clean, proceed to wrap it in a clean cloth, , and schedule an appointment with your dental center.

 

Chipped or fractured tooth

Cracked or chipped teeth don’t always hurt, but the nerves can get damaged if you wait t0o long to get it taken care of. Even if it’s not a big bother, it’s still a good idea to make an appointment with a dental professional to get it taken care of.

 

Concussed Tooth

Should your little boy have an incident where he bangs his tooth on a girl’s head and it doesn’t fall out, he still might experience a discolored tooth. Other than having unfortunate year-of-the-dark-tooth school photograph, it’s not exactly a serious dental emergency, but may still be worth getting it examined.

 

How to Avoid Dental Emergencies:

 

  • Don’t use your teeth for anything other than eating or chew very hard foods (such as lollipops)
  • Wear a mouth guard when playing in athletic games
  • Schedule regular teeth cleanings & checkups
  • Brush and floss your teeth daily

Should you have a need of an emergency dentist, contact Easton Dental Center immediately for an appointment ASAP.

Root Canal Therapy: Nipping The Pain In The Bud

Jul 4th, 2018
Easton Dentists Sep 4th, 2018

Nothing comes close in terms of pain than a good old fashioned toothache. And while most of us devour pain killers -and sometimes even morphine- to lull the pain to sleep, a toothache always comes back, stronger, more unbearable than ever before. However, treating the root cause of the problem -and I mean that literally- is a surefire way to get rid of the pain for good, and that’s where root canal procedures come in. You may have heard about it before in passing, but what really is this miracle called root canal treatment after all.

Also known as endodontic therapy, root canal treatment is a dental procedure for eliminating infections from inside the tooth so as to prevent future infection. So, why root canal you may ask? Well, the pulp -the part of a tooth containing nerve tissue and blood vessels- is also referred to as the root canal.

A Few Fact About Root Canal Therapy

* The primary purpose of root canal therapy is to end the pain for good! Which is why it is used to eliminate the nerves located in the pulp -root canals- of the tooth. For your own information, nerves being the source of all bodily sensations, removing them has the obvious effect of making your gums and teeth insensitive to pain.

* Make no mistake about it, it’s a relatively painful pain relieving treatment. However, the flip-side to that is it’s a once off procedure that leaves you with a pain free root canal.

The stages in the dental procedure are pretty straightforward perhaps even a toddler can do better than a regular Columbus Dentist at The Dental Center.

It all starts with the cleaning of the root canal while your under anesthesia. The root canal is decontaminated and filled with dental cement, after which a crown is added to reinforce the brittle and fragile tooth.