Month: November 2015

In a perfect world, people would never suffer from unexpected oral health issues. However, the reality is that thousands of Americans deal with sudden dental disorders, diseases, or damage. No one wants to deal with a dental emergency, but you may have to at some point. If you do, Dr. Craig Armstrong and our team will be here for you. In the following blog, we explain what you should do in a dental emergency so you can be prepared and protect your oral health.

Don’t Wait or Hesitate

Often, people tend to underestimate the significance of dental symptoms. If you suffer from a toothache, bleeding gums, oral sores, halitosis (bad breath), chipped tooth, or another uncomfortable symptom, don’t ignore it. Untreated dental issues can rapidly worsen or spread. In addition, your oral health affects your overall well-being—for example, a tooth root infection could spread to other teeth or even throughout your body without assistance. Dr. Armstrong and our team would much rather that you call us for assistance with what turns out to be a minor issue than let a potentially problematic condition become exacerbated. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Specific Suggestions

Knowledge is power—understanding the right steps to take in a dental emergency can help you handle the crisis with composure and recover successfully. Below, we provide our recommendations for common dental emergencies:

• Loose tooth: Obviously, if a child has a loose baby tooth, this doesn’t qualify as an emergency, but adults’ teeth can also become dislodged or pushed out of place after injury or as a result of certain conditions. If this occurs, you should take over-the-counter painkillers, use cold compresses, and treat the tooth very delicately until you can get into our office. Dr. Armstrong may be able to save it with splints and other techniques.
• Knocked out tooth: If your tooth is avulsed, don’t lose hope. If you can locate it, pick it up (without contaminating the root) and either place it back in its socket or store it in saliva or milk. Contact us immediately so that we can help reattach it and treat any related issues.
• Fractured, broken, or chipped tooth: Bruxism (tooth grinding), exerting too much pressure while biting, or oral trauma can break or chip your teeth. If this happens, sanitize and keep the broken portion of the tooth, rinse your mouth, use cold compresses and gauze, and come to our office for assistance.
• Loose crowns or fillings: Decay or other issues may cause your restorations to become dislodged, which can make the underlying enamel very sensitive. Ideally, you should come see us right away, but if you can’t, you can keep your crown or filling in place with dental cement from your local pharmacy.

We Can Help With Dental Emergencies

Dr. Armstrong and our team can help you if you have to deal with a dental emergency. In addition, we can perform biannual cleanings and examinations to help you maintain your oral health and avoid these types of situations altogether. To learn more dental emergency tips or schedule your next appointment, contact our Houston, TX dental office today.

Original Source: https://www.craigarmstrongdds.com/dental-anxiety-and-fear/what-should-you-do-in-a-dental-emergency/

This Sunday (November 15) is National Philanthropy Day, an annual holiday to celebrate, honor, and encourage charitable work across United States and the globe! National Philanthropy Day, is a day that thousands around the world come together to put words into action and recognize the change philanthropy has brought to our communities. President Ronald Reagan made November 15 the official date for this holiday nearly three decades ago in 1986.

At Dr. Craig Armstrong’s Houston, TX office, we’re dedicated to serving the community with our dental expertise and experience. We support causes that spread smiles throughout the world. We’re particularly passionate about those that tackle oral health issues, since we truly understand how healthy teeth and gums contribute to people’s wellbeing and happiness. In honor of National Philanthropy Day, we highlight our four favorite dental charities in the following blog.

1. Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children

Unfortunately, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, “23% of children 2 to 11 have untreated dental caries…Black and Hispanic children and those living in families with lower incomes have more untreated decay.” Suffering from cavities is uncomfortable, embarrassing, and very unhealthy for children. In addition, caries can open up younger patients to a whole host of other oral health issues, even affecting their permanent teeth. Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children provides programs to help underserved children get the dental health care they need. This charitable foundation is the philanthropic arm of the American Association of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD), so it is uniquely suited to, “ensure every child has a dental home—a place where they can receive consistent, compassionate dental care.”

2. National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped

Affiliated with the American Dental Association (ADA) and also known as the Dental Lifeline Network, this foundation helps patients with disabilities (including the elderly and medically compromised, as well as those with special needs) enjoy the healthy, beautiful smiles they deserve. The foundation provides free dental care to those in need, spearheads outreach programs to educate patients with developmental disabilities on the importance of oral health, and even offers “Dental HouseCalls” in several states to help homebound patients.

3. Oral Health America

This organization has a broad and admirable mission: “Our vision is a future free of oral disease and pain.” As such, Oral Health America has spent the past six decades advocating for a better dental policy in the United States, informing the public about oral health issues, and expanding Americans’ access to proper dental care. The organization supports a variety of programs to achieve these goals.

4. The Texas Dental Association Smiles Foundation

We may be a bit biased, but our absolute favorite charity is the Texas Dental Association’s Smiles Foundation. Earlier this year, Dr. Armstrong became the President of the TDA. Of course, he is thrilled to serve as our state’s voice in the ADA, contribute to scholarly research, and educate other dental professionals. He is also delighted that this position affords him the opportunity to maintain and expand the TDA’s philanthropic efforts. Dr. Armstrong is proud to assist with Give Kids a Smile, the Cavity Free Corral, and the Fluoride Festival.

Contact Us Today

What better way to celebrate National Philanthropy Day than by giving back to your community and taking care of your smile? To find out more about these charities or schedule your next appointment, contact our Houston dental practice today.

Original Source: https://www.craigarmstrongdds.com/the-armstrong-team/our-4-favorite-dental-charities/