Emergency Dental Care

Woman Suffering From Dental Emergency

It’s natural to feel alarmed when you experience a toothache or get hit in the mouth. Is the pain a minor annoyance, or are you about to face a dental emergency? Understanding the difference between urgent and non-urgent dental scenarios helps you act quickly when necessary to maintain your radiant smile.

Deciding If it’s a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies come in many forms. Some issues require immediate attention to alleviate pain and improve the chances of saving a damaged tooth. Watch for these symptoms of a dental emergency:

• Intense toothache
• Excessive bleeding
• Trauma to the face
• Loose or knocked-out tooth
• Broken or chipped tooth with a large chunk missing

Other issues aren’t a major cause for concern and can wait for a regular appointment. Examples of non-urgent situations include:

• Lost filling or crown
• Cracked tooth without pain or sharp fragments
• Mild toothache with no other symptoms

The Crucial First Response

If you determine you’re having a dental emergency, knowing how to respond is crucial. Follow these tips until you can get to an emergency dentist:

• Treating a toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water and gently floss to remove trapped food. If the pain persists, take over-the-counter pain relievers. Then, book a dentist appointment to find out what’s wrong.
• Treating excessive bleeding: Rinse with a saltwater solution. Then, apply a clean, damp piece of gauze or a cool, used tea bag to the area. If bleeding continues after 15 to 20 minutes, seek medical help.
• Treating a loose tooth: A loose tooth in adults is not normal. Avoid wiggling it to prevent further damage, and contact your dentist for a professional evaluation.
• Treating a knocked-out tooth: Handle the tooth carefully. Avoid touching the root, rinse it with water if dirty, and try reinserting it into its socket. If that’s not possible, store the tooth in a container of milk or use a tooth preservation kit and go to the dentist immediately.
• Treating a broken, cracked, or chipped tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress. Over-the-counter pain relievers minimize discomfort. Contact your dentist right away, even if there’s no pain, because the tooth may be damaged internally.

The Role of an Emergency Dentist

An emergency dentist handles urgent cases with the proper tools and training. From antibiotics for infections to quick dental procedures for saving a knocked-out tooth, these professionals provide immediate relief and ensure long-term oral health.

Park 56 Dental is your go-to provider for same-day emergency dental care. We have served patients in the 10022 zip code and surrounding areas since 1997. We even boast the title of NYC’s best dentist. Our office feels more like a spa, and we focus on giving personalized, quality dental care to each patient. Our team has experience with everything from general dentistry and sedation dentistry to oral surgery and endodontics.

The next time a dental emergency strikes, you can count on us! Call Park 56 Dental at (212) 826-2322, and we’ll help you get your oral health back on track.

Sedation Dentistry

Happy Patient Waking Up From Sedation Dentistry

Does the thought of visiting the dentist make your heart race and your palms sweat? If so, you’re not alone. Dental anxiety affects millions of people, causing them to avoid much-needed dental care. Fortunately, there’s a solution: sedation dentistry. Explore the benefits of sedation dentistry and how it can help you overcome your fears.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry involves using medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. It’s especially beneficial for people with dental phobia, sensitive gag reflexes, or low pain tolerance. You may be familiar with some of the sedation techniques used in dentistry, ranging from nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for mild relaxation to intravenous (IV) sedation for achieving deep unconsciousness. The chosen method depends on the patient’s needs and the complexity of the procedure.

Overcoming Dental Anxiety

Feeling anxious about the dentist is a significant barrier to receiving proper oral healthcare. The fear of needles, dental instruments, or the sounds and smells of a dentist’s office can be overwhelming for some. Sedation dentistry makes the experience calming and stress-free, allowing patients to receive needed treatment.

Pain Management

Dental procedures can be extremely uncomfortable for those with a low pain threshold, sensitive teeth and gums, or anesthetic resistance. Sedation dentistry minimizes discomfort during treatment, allowing the dentist to perform procedures more efficiently and with less strain on the patient.

Increased Efficiency for Complex Procedures

Certain dental care, such as wisdom teeth extractions or extensive restorative work, can be time-consuming and require multiple visits. With sedation dentistry, dentists can sometimes complete procedures in fewer appointments because patients are more relaxed and able to tolerate longer treatment sessions. This saves time and effort for both the patient and the dental team.

Gag Reflex Control

Some people have overly sensitive gag reflexes, making dental procedures like taking X-rays and impressions an uncomfortable and challenging affair. Sedation dentistry helps relax the gag reflex, enabling the dentist to perform necessary procedures without triggering discomfort or causing difficulties for the patient.

Improved Communication and Cooperation

Maintaining patient cooperation while receiving dental care is crucial for successful treatment. Patients with dental anxiety or developmental disabilities may struggle to communicate their needs or sit still during appointments. Sedation dentistry reduces anxiety and promotes relaxation to create a more cooperative environment, allowing the dental team to provide the best possible care.

Schedule a Sedation Dentistry Appointment in NYC

Sedation dentistry is a game-changer for anyone who struggles with dental anxiety. Park 56 Dental, located in the 10022 zip code of New York City, provides sedation solutions as part of our comprehensive dental services. We offer a wide range of treatments in addition to sedation dentistry, including general dentistry, smile restoration work, emergency dentistry, and more. Our experienced and caring team takes the time to treat each patient individually, ensuring that all their needs are met.

Don’t let dental anxiety prevent you from achieving optimal oral health. Contact Park 56 Dental today at (212) 826-2322 to schedule a consultation and discover how sedation dentistry can transform your dental experience.

Acid Reflux and Your Teeth

Acid Reflux.

Do you ever get heartburn? Most people do, with about ten percent of Americans suffering daily from the discomfort this condition causes. While heartburn is common, it’s not actually natural, and it’s caused by a disorder called acid reflux or gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). And while the most well-known symptom of acid reflux is heartburn, that’s far from the only way this problem affects the body. In fact, chronic acid reflux can be very hard on your teeth. Let’s look at why, and what you can do about it.

First, what is acid reflux? When your digestive system is working the way it’s supposed to, you swallow and your food travels through the esophagus to the stomach. The stomach has acids that digest the food, but there is a muscle that connects the stomach and esophagus, and it closes to keep the food and acid from going back up the esophagus- the wrong way. In people suffering from GERD or acid reflux, this muscle is weak, and it allows the food and stomach acid to travel back up, causing burning in the chest, neck and throat, and a bitter acidic taste.

If you think about the mechanics of acid reflux, you can probably already deduce why this condition would cause problems for your teeth. Your teeth are covered with tooth enamel, which is the strongest substance in the body and protects the teeth from things like bacteria, chemicals, and extreme temperatures. However, over time, this enamel and begin to erode. Stomach acid hastens that erosion, in effect dissolving the enamel and leaving your teeth vulnerable to decay. In fact, in some cases, stomach acid can dramatically decrease the size of your teeth.

How do you know if acid reflux is damaging your teeth? You might notice that your teeth are more sensitive, especially to hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages. Your teeth also might chip, seem thinner or smaller, or have sharp edges. You may experience pain and irritation in your mouth, and your teeth may become discolored or dark.

If you have acid reflux, what can you do to protect your teeth from these problems?

• Start by controlling your acid reflux. Talk to your primary care physician or a gastroenterologist about lifestyle changes you may need to make. Things like removing trigger foods from your diet, quitting smoking, losing weight, and sleeping with your head raised may all be recommended. You may also choose to use antacids to control your symptoms, but do this sparingly, as this type of medication can cause dental problems.
• Be careful with your teeth. Drink through a straw if you’re drinking anything acidic, like soda, coffee, or juice. Drink water with your meals, and drink water between meals, to continually rinse your mouth. Brush with fluoride toothpaste, but avoid brushing for 30 minutes to an hour after eating, so that you don’t brush your enamel when it’s softened. Eat a piece of cheese or drink some milk after your meals, to neutralize the acid.
• See your dentist regularly. Your dentist can alert you to signs of tooth erosion, and can also offer a variety of treatments to help restore your enamel and offset the damage of acid reflux.

If you’re looking for a dentist in New York, why not choose the dentist voted best in the city? At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

Why Your Gum Line Recedes

Gum recession.

How is your gum health? About half of all people over 30 suffer from periodontal disease, and this is the leading cause of gum recession. Gum recession is a problem, because when your gums recede too far, they can allow your teeth to fall out! Further, receding gums create pockets between the teeth and gums, and this can allow bacteria to grow and cause infections. In this way, even if your gum recession is not caused by periodontal disease, it can create an ideal environment for periodontal disease to progress. Once gums have receded, they don’t grow back, but there are some strategies you can employ to slow the recession. First, you need to know what is causing your gum line to recede.

• As mentioned, periodontal disease is a major cause of receding gums. The bacterial gum infections of periodontal disease can destroy not only gum tissue, but also the bone that holds the teeth in place. Catching periodontal disease in the early stage, called gingivitis, when the gums are simply inflamed, can help forestall its progression.
• It could be your genes. Sometimes, genetics just don’t work in your favor when it comes to your gums. About 30 percent of people have receding gums, leading to periodontal disease, no matter how well they care for their teeth.
• You might not be taking good care of your teeth. Poor oral hygiene can lead to tartar build-up, and when this happens, it can cause your gums to recede.
• On the other hand, you might be brushing too enthusiastically. Aggressive brushing can wear away your enamel and damage your gum tissue.
• Your teeth may be crooked. Believe it or not, misaligned teeth can wear on your gums. Teeth that don’t come together properly put too much force on the gums, causing them to recede.
• It might be hormones. Hormonal fluctuations, like the ones experienced during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, can cause your gums to recede.
• Mouth trauma can damage your gums. If you get punched in the mouth or fall on your face, your teeth can be knocked loose, and your gums can sustain damage that causes recession.
• Your orthodontia may be the issue. It makes sense that using constant force to reposition your teeth could cause your gums to become inflamed and recede.
• If you grind your teeth, your gums might recede. In fact, receding gums may be your first warning sign that you grind your teeth at night.
• Tobacco use can lead to receding gums. Smoking and chewing tobacco are bad for your oral health in such a variety of ways that if you use tobacco, you really need to stop.

You might notice your gums receding, or you might notice some other warning signs. Your teeth may become sensitive to heat, cold, and sweets, or they may be sensitive when you’re brushing, flossing, or getting dental cleanings. You may also experience pain or discomfort near the gum line. Without treatment, gum recession could cause your teeth to feel loose. Fortunately, while receding gums won’t grow back, your dentist can help you slow the recession, as well as offering non-surgical and surgical treatments to improve the condition.

When you’re looking for a dentist to help with your teeth and gums, trust the dentist voted best in New York. At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

Is Coffee Ruining Your Teeth?

Fresh cup of coffee.

If you’re like most Americans, the day doesn’t quite start until you’ve had your morning coffee. Coffee is a delicious beverage that boosts your energy and may even be good for your heart health, but it can be hard on your smile, leaving your chompers less than pearly white. Beyond the stains it leaves behind, is coffee actually harmful? Could your morning cup of joe be ruining your teeth?

The answer is not as straightforward as you might think. If you’re a coffee drinker, you already know that it is a substance that stains. It will stain your favorite shirt, the upholstery in your car, your best tablecloth, and, yes, your teeth. It stains because it contains plant-based compounds called tannins that leave behind discoloration. The acidity in coffee helps with this staining because acid softens tooth enamel, making it easier for stains to penetrate the teeth. Because the stains seep through the enamel, though, coffee stains are difficult to remove with tooth brushing.

What’s more, as you get older, your tooth enamel begins to change, becoming more vulnerable and susceptible to staining. So, if you have a five cup a day coffee habit, you’re likely to have some noticeable stains after you’ve sustained it for several years. But beyond the yellowing teeth, does coffee do any damage?

There is, of course, the matter of coffee breath. Along with the acids, coffee introduces bacteria into your mouth, and it sticks to your tongue, causing halitosis. Fortunately, this is easily remedied by brushing your teeth after you drink coffee. Then, too, coffee is not alone in bringing bacteria into the environment of your mouth: any drink that isn’t water will do that. Fortunately, your saliva helps counteract the bacteria and allow your enamel to repair itself, but it’s important to brush and floss regularly to prevent cavities. Be aware that the sugar (or syrup) that goes into your coffee is much more damaging to your teeth than the coffee itself.

How can you continue to enjoy your coffee without staining your smile? You can’t, completely, but there are some things you can do to minimize the issue.

• Limit your coffee. Don’t drink coffee all day long, instead sticking to one or two cups of coffee at one time of day.
• Brush your teeth. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste after every cup is best because brushing removes bacteria and fluoride strengthens enamel. Bonus: you’ll lose the coffee breath. It is important to note, however, that you should wait about 30 minutes after your coffee to brush and floss, because immediately after you drink it your enamel will be soft enough to sustain damage from your toothbrush.
• Drink your coffee through a straw. When you use a straw, you can keep most of the coffee away from your teeth, which limits staining.
• Wash your coffee down with water. Water is always a good choice, whether you’re drinking coffee, eating food, or drinking alcoholic beverages. Why? Because water helps to keep the saliva flowing and rinses debris and bacteria away from your mouth.
• See your dentist regularly. Semi-annual cleanings can make a world of difference in the look of your teeth. Beyond just cleaning the teeth, they polish the enamel so that it can do a better job protecting your teeth from stains. Your dentist can also offer teeth whitening treatments to remove discoloration that has already appeared on your teeth.

If you are looking for a dentist to do those semi-annual cleanings and handle all your other dental needs, choose the dentist voted best in New York. At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

What Are Crowns and When Do You Need Them?

Dental Crown.

So, your dentist has just told you that you need a crown, and you’re flattered! You didn’t expect to be treated like royalty, and yet, it’s all about to happen. You eagerly await your coronation. Though we hate to interrupt this flight of fancy, we have some bad news for you: it’s not that kind of crown. A crown is actually a cap for damaged teeth, and if your dentist is telling you that you need one, it means you have a tooth problem.

Why would someone need a crown, anyway? It could be that you have a cavity to large for a filling. It might also be that you have a tooth that’s worn down, cracked, or weak, and needs a crown to protect it. Similarly, if you’ve had a root canal, your fragile tooth may need the protection of a crown. If you need a dental bridge or implant, you may also need a crown.

There are different types of crowns, made of a variety of materials. Your dentist will discuss your options with you, and you’ll need to consider several factors, like the cost, strength, and durability, as well as where the crown will sit in your mouth. Generally, there are four different materials from which to choose when deciding on a crown.

• Ceramic crowns, which are actually made of a porcelain-based material, are typically used for front teeth, because they blend with the natural color of your teeth.
• Crowns made of porcelain fused to metal are extremely durable.
• Gold alloy crowns, made of gold, copper, and other metals, bond well to the tooth and don’t fracture or wear away the tooth.
• Base metal alloy crowns, made of non-noble metals, are very strong and resistant to corrosion.

In addition to the materials from which they’re made, crowns come in a variety of types. Sometimes, your dentist will place a temporary crown in your mouth while you’re waiting for a permanent crown, which you will get at a second appointment. In other cases, a crown can be placed in a single appointment, if your dentist offers computer-aided design and manufacturing. Some crowns don’t cover the whole tooth. These are called onlay or ¾ crowns. Your dentist can let you know what type of crown you need and how many appointments will be required.

Getting a crown is not typically painful. You will be given a local anesthetic, after which your dentist will get the tooth ready for the crown by removing some enamel, as well as any decay or filling material. The goal is to start with a healthy tooth structure on which the crown can be built. An impression or intraoral 3D scan is made, so that the crown will fit perfectly. Then the dentist places either the temporary or permanent crown, depending on what’s required. Once you have your new crown, take care of it by brushing, flossing, and refraining from eating hard foods like ice, which could break your crown. Crowns typically last seven to 15 years, but with careful maintenance, they can last much longer.

If you need a crown, make an appointment with the dentist voted best in New York. At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

Reasons Why your Teeth are Temperature Sensitive

Do you find that eating ice cream or drinking hot coffee causes pain in your teeth? You may have sensitive teeth. It’s a common condition, affecting about 45 million people in the United States, but it can be painful and difficult. What causes teeth to be temperature sensitive? More importantly, what can be done about it?

Your dentist can help you determine the underlying cause of the sensitivity, though the reason teeth become sensitive is typically always the same. Teeth are made of three layers, the enamel, the dentin, and the pulp. The enamel is the hard, outer layer of the teeth, and it protects the softer, inner layers. Below the enamel is the dentin, which is made up of microscopic tubes leading to the innermost layer- the pulp. Within that pulp is the nerve system of the teeth, and dental sensitivity happens when the dentin layers or the nerves are stimulated by something hot or cold. The cause of this stimulation varies.

Cold sensitivity can be caused by tooth decay or gum disease. It can also be the result of brushing too aggressively, using abrasive toothpaste, or using a hard-bristled toothbrush, which can all wear away at the enamel. Tooth grinding or clenching can chip the teeth or damage tooth enamel, which can also cause sensitivity to cold. Receding gums and cracks in a tooth can leave that tooth vulnerable to the cold. If your teeth are sensitive to heat, though, it could have a different cause. Dental treatments like teeth whitening can lead to heat sensitivity, and so can teeth cleanings, root planning, and dental crown or filling placement. If you consume a diet that’s high in acids, found in foods like coffee, tomato sauce, and wine, it can lead to enamel loss and heat sensitivity. People struggling with gum disease often have sensitive teeth, because 80 percent of tooth sensitivity begins at the gum line.

If your teeth are highly sensitive and react to both heat and cold, the best thing to do is see a dentist to determine the cause and the best course of treatment. If the sensitivity is minor, though, you may be able to manage it at home. You can reduce the discomfort of mild temperature sensitivity by making a few changes.

• Instead of letting hot and cold liquids touch your teeth, use a straw.
• Reduce your consumption of acidic foods.
• Change to a softer bristled brush and be careful not to brush too hard.
• Switch to a toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
• Ask your dentist which mouthwash to use; some mouthwashes can irritate your dentin and pulp layers.
• Wear a mouthguard to prevent teeth grinding at night.

There are also treatments that dentists offer to improve dental sensitivity. If you find that your sensitivity is not improving after a few days, talk to your dentist about the best treatment for you. It could be as simple as fluoride therapy, or it could be a more involved procedure like a root canal or a gum graft. Dental restorations like a filling, inlay, onlay or crown can also protect damaged teeth and help with sensitivity. Nervous about seeing the dentist? We provide sedation dentistry for your comfort.

If you are looking for a dentist to help with tooth sensitivity, it makes sense to choose the practice voted Best in New York. At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

Foods to Eat When You Have a Toothache

When you’ve got a toothache, one of the last things you want to do is eat. A tooth that’s throbbing is bad enough, but when you add chewing to the mix, it can be excruciating. Does this mean you are doomed to a liquid diet until you can see the dentist? Not necessarily. Here, we offer some strategies for reducing tooth pain, as well as recommendations about what to eat and not eat when your teeth are hurting.

First, let’s talk about toothaches themselves. Toothaches can happen for many reasons, including cavities and oral infections, but they can also be caused by dental procedures. Tooth extraction and oral surgery can cause pain during the recovery period, and even a cleaning can make your teeth feel sensitive and sore. Toothaches occur because the inner layer of the tooth, called the pulp, is inflamed, and gum inflammation can also cause tooth pain, because the gums surround the teeth. A toothache can feel sharp, throbbing, and sensitive, and you may experience a headache, fever, and a bad taste in your mouth at the same time.

Going to a dentist is the best course of action when you have a toothache, because sometimes toothaches can lead to more serious health conditions. However, there are some home remedies you can try to alleviate the pain while you are waiting for an appointment. A saltwater rinse may bring relief, or you could try a cold compress. Garlic, cloves, and peppermint tea have all been shown to reduce tooth pain, so you might want to give one of these tactics a shot.

There are also foods you can eat that won’t exacerbate the problem. Soft, easy to eat foods like bananas, applesauce, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and oatmeal are all good options if you have a toothache. Gelatin, puddings, custards, smoothies, and milkshakes can also be soothing, though ice cream is typically too cold to eat with a toothache. As long as it isn’t too warm or too cold, any soft food is a good option.

You will want to steer clear of any foods that are acidic or loaded with sugar. Avoid citrus fruits, tomatoes, raw vegetables, and anything spicy or salty. Things that are hard and crunchy or difficult to chew, like granola or meat, should be avoided. Hot coffee will likely be too painful to drink, and hard or sticky candy will cause more pain. Chewing ice should be avoided, because it’s not just hard on the teeth but also too cold to tolerate with a toothache.

The best thing to do when you have a toothache, of course, is to make an appointment with a highly skilled, experienced dentist. At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

Natural Tooth Pain Relievers

If you’ve got a toothache, it can be hard to think of anything else. You may not want to take time off and see your dentist immediately, but what can you do for the constant, throbbing pain? Here, we offer a list of natural tooth pain relievers, to give you a little bit of extra grace before you schedule an appointment to have your tooth examined and find the root cause of your toothache.

• Try a saltwater rinse. Mix ½ teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water, and when the salt dissolves, rinse your mouth. Because salt water is a natural disinfectant, this can be an effective treatment, reducing inflammation and healing wounds in the mouth while also loosening particles that could be stuck between the teeth.
• Rinse with hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria, and can also reduce plaque, heal bleeding gums, and reduce pain and inflammation. It is important to properly dilute the hydrogen peroxide, mixing 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water. Swish it around your mouth but do not swallow it.
• A cold compress can alleviate pain. The cold causes blood vessels to constrict, as well as reducing swelling and inflammation. This can help relieve pain, and a cold compress is particularly helpful if your toothache is caused by trauma. Wrap a bag of ice in a towel and hold it to the area for 20 minutes at a time, reapplying every few hours.
• Peppermint tea can have a numbing effect. It’s especially effective to apply a used tea bag, cooled tea bag to the affected area, when it’s slightly warm. Alternately, put a used tea bag into the freezer for a few minutes, then use the bag as a cold compress, applying it to the tooth.
• Garlic has long been known to have medicinal properties. Garlic has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, and it acts as a natural pain reliever, as well as killing bacteria. To help with a toothache, crush a garlic clove into a paste and apply it to the area, or slowly chew a fresh garlic clove. It has to be fresh garlic, because other forms of garlic don’t contain the allicin that gives garlic its healing properties. As effective as it is, though, garlic does have side effects. Aside from having garlic breath, you may experience bloating, body odor, upset stomach, heartburn, acid reflux, an allergic reaction, or burning in the mouth.
• Thyme has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It can help to treat toothaches and fight the bacteria that contribute to tooth decay. To get these benefits, you can chew fresh thyme, dilute thyme essential oil in carrier oil and apply it to the painful area, or add a drop of oil to a glass of water and use it as mouthwash.
• Vanilla extract contains alcohol, which can numb pain. What’s more, vanilla has proven antioxidant properties, which facilitate healing. It has to be real vanilla, not imitation, and it works when applied directly to the afflicted area.
• Clove is an ancient toothache remedy. Clove oil numbs pain and reduces inflammation, because it contains eugenol, a natural antiseptic. Dilute the clove oil with a carrier oil like jojoba or sunflower oil, using about 15 drops of clove oil to one ounce of the other oil. Be careful not to swallow it, but just apply the diluted clove oil to your mouth with a cotton ball. A drop of clove oil in a glass of water can also make an effective mouthwash.
• There is actually a plant called a toothache plant. A flowering plant that thrives in tropical and subtropical regions, the toothache plant contains spilanthol, a compound with anti-inflammatory properties. Chewing this plant can numb your mouth, but you shouldn’t use it if you are allergic to daisies, have prostate cancer, use diuretics or drink alcohol, or are pregnant.
• Guava leaves can help heal wounds. They have both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that are useful in helping with a toothache. To reap the benefits, chew fresh guava leaves or make a mouthwash by boiling guava leaves in water.
• Wheat grass has healing properties. Nutrients found in wheatgrass, including chlorophyll, provide anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and bacteria-fighting properties. You can use wheatgrass as a mouthwash but, unlike other mouthwashes, you can also drink it.
• Aloe vera can reduce pain and swelling in the mouth. It has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can reduce pain and swelling. If you are taking medication to control blood sugar, though, talk to your doctor before using aloe vera, because it can potentially lower blood glucose to an unsafe level.

These home remedies can help, but the best thing to do for toothache is to see your dentist. A dentist can determine the cause of your toothache and come up with the best plan for treatment. At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

Can a toothache cause problems to the rest of your body?

We know that the health of your mouth has an impact on your overall health, but does pain in your mouth cause problems for your body? When you have a toothache, it can certainly feel like your whole body is involved! Your head may throb, your heart may race, and you may feel nauseous or just generally sick. Is it all in your imagination?

In a word, no. A common cause of a toothache is tooth infection, and a tooth infection can definitely affect your whole body. Tooth infections happen when bacteria enter the tooth because of a chip or a cavity, and infections can lead to an abscess at the root of the tooth. An abscess causes constant, throbbing pain that can radiate to the jawbone, neck, or ear, along with bad breath, a bad taste in the mouth, and increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods.

Left untreated, the bacteria that caused your tooth infection can begin to spread throughout your body. If it spreads to the blood, it can cause sepsis, with symptoms that include an extremely high fever, respiratory trouble, and mental confusion. Your blood pressure may drop, causing you to go into septic shock, and in the worst case scenario, you could die. Another life-threatening condition that can result from a tooth infection is meningitis, which occurs because of inflammation near the brain and spinal cord. Ludwig’s Angina can also be caused by a tooth infection, bringing symptoms of pain and tenderness under the tongue, trouble swallowing, breathing, and speaking, swelling and redness of the neck, neck and ear pain, drooling, fever, chills, fatigue, confusion, and weakness. To avoid any of these complications and illnesses, it’s important to seek prompt medical treatment for a tooth infection. To prevent tooth infections, practice good oral hygiene, eat a nutrient-dense diet, and see your dentist regularly.

You don’t necessarily have to have a tooth infection to have your tooth pain affect other parts of your body. Because of a shared nerve, tooth pain can cause head pain. If you grind your teeth, it can cause muscle stress that results in both a toothache and a headache, and these can also both be caused by a sinus infection or TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction). If your tooth hurts due to a cavity, crack, or impaction, you may get a migraine. It is thought that the connection between tooth pain and migraines has to do with a cranial nerve called the trigeminal nerve, which provides feeling to the face, including the mouth. Pain from a toothache can irritate this nerve and trigger a migraine.

If you have a toothache, don’t put off seeing an experienced dentist, who can determine the source of your pain and prevent it from affecting the rest of your body. At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.