Toothaches are never fun, but did you know that some tooth pain may signal a deeper problem? At Parker & Pennington Dentistry in Jacksonville, FL, we often see patients who have tried to manage discomfort with over-the-counter pain relief only to find the issue persists. Sometimes, that lingering pain is a sign of an infection in your tooth’s pulp—the bundle of nerves and tissue at its core—which might mean a root canal is needed.
February is a month where the signature color seems to be red in honor of Valentine’s Day. The decor and decorations in stores and restaurants are full of red and hearts. One place where it is concerning if you see red is your gums. Red and swollen gums can be an indication that you have gum disease. February is recognized as Gum Disease Awareness Month in an effort to educate the public about the prevalence of the disease and the lasting effects that it can have if left untreated. Gum disease affects more than half of American adults, so there is a chance that you or a loved one may suffer from this condition at some point in your life.
Our goal is for our patients to have optimal oral health and never experience a dental emergency. Unfortunately, as much as we would all love to always have amazing oral health, that is not always reality. One of the most common dental emergencies that we see in the office is a cracked tooth. There are many ways to prevent a cracked tooth, but the best way is to maintain your routine oral hygiene examination and cleaning appointments. During these visits, we will look for any problem areas in the mouth and recommend treatment. If we recommend treatment, be sure to schedule your appointment as soon as possible.