Common Dental Emergencies

At Miami Dental, we understand that accidents happen and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean all the difference between saving and losing a tooth. If you or your child experience some sort of trauma to your mouth for whatever reason, please give us a call as soon as possible. Meanwhile, in the midst of a dental emergency, utilize these tips to ensure a smooth recovery. 

• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it between your cheek and gums, or use a tooth preservation product that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance.


• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.


• If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.


• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between teeth.

If you suffer a dental emergency, give us a call immediately. To learn about our services we provide at our office, visit www.miami-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, give us a call at our Miami Beach office: 305-532-1444 or our North Miami Beach office: 305-949-2630. 

Tips for a Nice Smile

With selfies and instant photo sharing taking over the internet, our staff at Miami Dental wants you to have a camera-ready smile at all times. With a variety of cosmetic services to choose from, we can enhance your smile anyway you’d like. However, if there is any reason you can’t go the cosmetic route at this moment, we will provide you with these tips that will give you a photogenic smile no matter what.

• Be natural – when it’s picture time, smile gently. That way, your face looks relaxed. Your mouth opens slightly, and your lower lip matches the curve of your upper teeth.


• Check your teeth and gums – getting your smile camera-ready sometimes calls for a little behind the scenes prep work. If your pearly whites have yellowed with age, try an over-the-counter whitening product or pay us a visit! Also, don’t forget about taking care of your gums. They play a critical role in your nice smile. So keep them in good shape by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash every day.


• Practice – your perfect smile may not happen overnight, but if you have a big photo event like a wedding or a graduation coming up, it doesn’t hurt to try out your grin in front of the mirror!

If you wish to improve the appearance of your smile, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about our services we provide at our office, visit www.miami-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, give us a call at our Miami Beach office: 305-532-1444 or our North Miami Beach office: 305-949-2630. 

Teeth Types: Shapes, Sizes and Function

At Miami Dental, we do our best to answer all the questions you have about your teeth. Have you ever wondered why your teeth are different shapes and sizes? The reason is that they all serve different purposes in your mouth. Although the common goal is to chew your food and nourish your body, each type of tooth has its own function.

Read on to learn about the different types of teeth and the purpose they serve in your mouth!

• Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.


• Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.


• Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.


• Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.

 

If you have questions about your pearly whites, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.miami-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, give us a call at our Miami Beach office: 305-532-1444 or our North Miami Beach office: 305-949-2630.

Unavoidable Tooth Extractions

Although permanent teeth were meant to last a lifetime, there are a number of reasons why our doctors at Miami Dental may need to perform an extraction. A very common reason involves a tooth that is too badly damaged, from trauma or decay, to be repaired. This is why we emphasize the importance of oral hygiene during every patient visit. Wisdom teeth removal is the most common type of tooth extraction because these teeth can easily become infected if they do not emerge properly. Aside from wisdom teeth removal, other reasons for extractions may include:

• Severe tooth damage/trauma – some teeth have such extensive decay and damage (broken or cracked) that repair is not possible.


• Orthodontic treatment – people getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.


• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.


• Extra teeth – extra teeth may block other teeth from erupting, therefore, will require extraction.

If you have a tooth that is causing you pain, don’t wait any longer and give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.miami-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, give us a call at our Miami Beach office: 305-532-1444 or our North Miami Beach office: 305-949-2630.

Wisdom Tooth Extractions: What to Expect

Many times, wisdom teeth – the third molars in the very back of your mouth – don’t have room to grow properly and can cause problems. These teeth that usually erupt during the ages of 16-20 can develop cavities, gum disease, and several other infections and lead to crowding when they can’t emerge. Even though wisdom teeth do not always require extraction, our staff at Miami Dental would like to encourage you to schedule a dental exam if you still have yours. We would also like to inform you on what to expect once wisdom teeth need to be extracted.

Wisdom teeth are spotted on X-rays. If not visible, they are impacted and risk erupting abnormally or being trapped in your jawbone or gums, which can be painful. Before surgery, you will meet with one of our doctors to talk about the process as well as the type of anesthesia you may require. Depending on the type of anesthesia, you might even be able to return to work or do your normal activities after surgery. Most people have little to no pain after surgery, but you’re likely to have swelling and mild discomfort for three or so days.

If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain, please give us a call. To learn more about tooth extractions as well as other services we provide at the practice, visit www.miami-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, give us a call at our Miami Beach office: 305-532-1444 or our North Miami Beach office: 305-949-2630.

Benefits of a Bright Smile

If you are embarrassed by yellow teeth and a not so aesthetically pleasing smile, then you should consider giving our doctors at Miami Dental a call. By providing our patients with teeth whitening and bleaching services, you can achieve the “Hollywood” look you’ve been dreaming of. Teeth whitening and bleaching are safe, quick, inexpensive, and you can lighten only your upper teeth, or both the upper and lower, while boosting your self-esteem in the process.

In addition to basic oral hygiene, teeth whitening and bleaching are just a few ways to achieve a bright smile. Dental bleaching can be used to correct many tooth discolorations that have been caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. At Miami Dental, using the latest bleaching technology, we can provide you with confidence and self-assurance, and a beautiful smile that makes you more comfortable in your own skin.

If you desire a brighter smile, please give us a call. To learn more about dental tooth whitening as well as other services we provide at the practice, visit www.miami-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, give us a call at our Miami Beach office: 305-532-1444 or our North Miami Beach office: 305-949-2630.

Stop Sensitive Teeth

Have you ever bit into an ice cream cone and were taken aback by a sharp shooting pain in your teeth? That’s one of the few symptoms of sensitive teeth and this happens when the gums pull back and expose the tooth surface beneath, called the dentin. Fortunately, our doctors at Miami Dental can offer you with a variety of treatment options, from dental sealants to fluoride treatments.

Tooth sensitivity can affect one or more teeth. It’s most common when you eat or drink something hot, cold, sweet, or sour. Your dentin is a soft layer that makes up the inner part of the tooth and roots, which have thousands of tiny tubules that lead to the tooth’s nerve center (the pulp). These channels allow the trigger – the characteristic of the food or beverage – to reach the nerve in your tooth, which results in the pain you feel. Some at-home steps to take to reduce tooth sensitivity include brushing, flossing and rinsing with a fluoride and antiseptic mouthwash daily, and using toothpaste that is intended for sensitive teeth.

If you have sensitive teeth, please give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as services we provide at the practice, visit www.miami-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, give us a call at our Miami Beach office: 305-532-1444 or our North Miami Beach office: 305-949-2630.