Helpful Articles.

A tooth abscess is an infection that needs immediate treatment. If you put off going to the dentist, you may experience serious consequences such as bone or tooth loss. Springs Village Dentistry wants you to know what to look for in order to preserve your dental health.

What Are the Symptoms of a Tooth Abscess?

A tooth abscess can form in the root of your tooth or on the gums. The most common symptoms include:

• Severe toothache
• Fever
• Swelling of the gums
• Sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink
• Bad breath

When Should You Visit the Dentist for a Tooth Abscess?

If you are experiencing the symptoms listed above, get in touch with us at Springs Village Dentistry to schedule an appointment. Early intervention is best! It is easier and cheaper to treat the problem immediately rather than letting the infection fester. A tooth abscess is usually a dental emergency, so let our team know about your symptoms so we can see you on the same day or as soon as possible.

How Is a Tooth Abscess Treated?

Depending on the severity and location of the tooth abscess, there are different treatment options. Here’s a look at what may happen if you are diagnosed with a tooth abscess.

This dental procedure will remove the infection inside the tooth and restore its strength with a dental crown.

If a tooth abscess is too severe to save the tooth, you may get the tooth removed and replaced with a dental implant.

A small incision is made to drain the pus from the abscess. You may also get irrigation to prevent further infection.

Dental Treatment at Springs Village Dentistry

If you suspect you have a tooth abscess, please schedule an appointment with our Holly Springs office right away. We can do a full evaluation and recommend a treatment plan that works for you. Contact us today to get treatment for a dental abscess.

Contact Us

The truth is that tooth decay is mostly preventable. A root canal is necessary if tooth decay is so severe that a filling won’t correct it. Read on to learn more about how you can avoid the need for a root canal.

What Is Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay is when bacteria or plaque build-up and cause damage to the tooth. Plaque can cause sugar to turn into acid, leading to problems like cavities or gum disease. Cavities are tiny holes in your enamel. Early detection is key to preventing small cavities from becoming deep cavities. If you catch a cavity early enough, you may only need a filling to prevent further damage to your tooth.

When Do You Need a Root Canal?

Dr. Molta or Dr. Moore may recommend a root canal if the decay is severe and has reached the interior of the tooth. A root canal will clean out the infection and save your natural tooth. Some symptoms of needing a root canal may include:

• Severe toothache
• Chronic tooth sensitivity, especially to extreme temperatures
• Tooth discoloration
• Tender or swollen gums

Tips on preventing a root canal

It’s ideal for you to have a proper oral health care routine to remove plaque, food particles, and other bacteria that could cause tooth decay. At the least, you should brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. Don’t forget to use fluoride toothpaste for the best results. Visits to Springs Village Dentistry for a dental exam every six months allow our team to notice cavities early before a root canal is needed to treat the tooth. We can also offer you personalized advice on how best to take care of your teeth and any treatment options you may need.

Comprehensive dental care in Holly Springs, NC

Do you need your biannual dental exam? Or have you started to notice tooth pain? At Springs Village Dentistry, our friendly dental staff is ready to help you. Please give us a call and schedule an appointment.

Contact Us

Sedation dentistry is an option for people who feel anxious about going to the dentist. The experienced and gentle team at Springs Village Dentistry understands your stress and will make you feel comfortable for your appointment with sedation options. Other situations where people receive sedation include patients that are undergoing an advanced restorative treatment. Many people wonder what to expect and what they should do to prepare for sedation. Here is what you should know.

What is it like to be under nitrous oxide sedation?

Nitrous oxide is also known as laughing gas. This is a mild but effective sedation treatment. The nitrogen and oxygen blend is delivered by a mask that goes over your nose. You will remain conscious and alert while under nitrous oxide sedation. You will also feel deeply relaxed and not feel any fear. Nitrous oxide wears off within a few minutes of breathing normal oxygen and is completely safe.

What is it like to be under oral conscious sedation?

Oral conscious sedation is a medication that you will take before your treatment begins. The oral medication may make you feel mildly or moderately sedated. You will still be conscious, but you may feel more deeply relaxed compared to nitrous oxide. You will be able to communicate with your dentist and be aware of your surroundings while under sedation. Since this is more heavy sedation, you might end up feeling groggy for the rest of your day. It may also take a few hours for the effects to wear off.

How should I prepare for sedation therapy?

You will want to discuss your medical history and current health with our team to determine if sedation therapy is the right choice for you. If you’re going to use nitrous oxide sedation, you won’t need to make any advanced preparations. If you’re using oral conscious sedation, you need to bring someone with you to the appointment. You will not be able to drive yourself home since the sedation will not wear off in time.

Sedation Dentistry at Springs Village Dentistry

Regardless of if you are getting sedation for anxiety or because of advanced treatment, our team in Holly Springs, NC is ready and prepared to help you have a smooth experience with us. Are you ready to schedule your next visit? Give us a call to make an appointment at a time convenient to you.

Contact Us

Going to the dentist can be scary for kids, so preparing them well is important. Kids should visit the dentist around their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth’s eruption. Here are some ways to prepare your child for this big milestone.

Introduce them to books & videos about the dentist

There are many books and videos for kids about going to the dentist and dental care. Many are available at your local library. Showing them to your kids when they’re very young prepares them for future visits and a lifetime of good oral hygiene. They’ll have a better understanding of what to expect at the dentist and why it’s important to go.

Be positive about the dentist

You may get anxious about going to the dentist, but it’s important not to let your fears worry your child. Kids are very aware of their parents’ emotions, so if they see that you’re nervous, they’ll get nervous, too. When talking about the dentist, speak positively and don’t bring up your bad experiences. When you have an appointment, act excited. When your child sees you happy about visiting the dentist, they’re more likely to feel good about their first visit.

Introduce them to the office beforehand

For many kids, the newness of an experience is very intimidating. Your child will likely feel more comfortable at their first appointment if they’ve seen the office beforehand. Call us about popping in and touring before your appointment. We also have pictures of the office on our website.

Schedule the appointment at the right time

We’ve found that kids do better at morning appointments because they’re more alert. If they’re sleepy and grumpy, their experience won’t be as positive. Having the appointment early also means you don’t have to deal with hours of anticipation. It’s also a good idea to leave yourself a little extra time to get to the appointment. Hurrying and worrying about being late can also stress kids out.

Kid-friendly dentistry in Holly Springs, NC

At Springs Village Dentistry, we offer a variety of services for children, including cleanings, exams, sports mouthguards, fillings, sealants, and more. We’re also registered with the Baby Oral Health Program. For your convenience, we have block appointments, so it’s possible to get your whole family’s dental care taken care of in one visit. If you have any questions or want to schedule a visit, please contact us today!

Contact Us

Dental infections usually involve an abscess. An abscess is a pocket of pus that has formed either within the tooth or on the gums. The cause of a dental abscess is usually poor hygiene. Not correctly brushing your teeth, neglecting to floss, and skipping regular visits to the dentist can cause cavities and gum disease to progress into abscesses. Dental abscesses are dangerous if left untreated. Infections can become dental emergencies and can even create further medical issues throughout your body.

Telltale signs of dental infection

The most common indication for a dental infection is feeling any pain surrounding a tooth. If you have any of these symptoms, please contact us as soon as possible.

• Toothache or tooth pain

• Fever

• Pain when chewing or biting foods

• Red or swollen gums

• Jaw swelling

• Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures

Are dental infections considered a dental emergency?

Infections can be considered a dental emergency. Don’t put off visiting Springs Village Dentistry if you are in pain. We keep time in our schedule open for those that need to see a dentist immediately. Our team can examine your teeth and determine the root cause of the problem. We see patients for dental emergencies if they have any of the following issues:

• Mild to severe toothache

• Inflamed or infected abscess on gums

• Broken or chipped teeth

• Knocked-out teeth

Treatment options for dental infections

Here are some standard options to get rid of dental infections. Your treatment will be tailored to your specific issue so not all of these might apply.

• Drain the abscess: A small cut will be made into the abscess to remove the pus. Our dentist can adequately remove the abscess while not reinfecting the area.

• Root canal therapy: Root canals sound intimidating, but they provide relief from pain. A small hole is created on your tooth to remove the interior, infected pus.

• Tooth extraction: If you went a long time with an infected tooth, the damage might be too severe to save the tooth. An extraction will allow you to create space for an implanted tooth and a healthier mouth.

Need an emergency dental appointment?

Our office is always ready to help with dental emergencies. Please call us to schedule an appointment. We can often see you on the same day to provide the relief that you need.

Contact Us

Root canals are a fantastic procedure that can be used to save the tooth. But is it right for you? In this blog post, we’ll cover the basics of this amazing procedure and help you understand why you may need one. Keep reading for a closer look at the root canal.

What Is a Root Canal

Root canals sometimes get a bad rep, but they are actually a fantastic procedure that’s become very routine. With root canal therapy, a dentist goes in to repair damage or decay that’s posing a threat to the tooth. After a successful root canal procedure, the patient gets to maintain their natural tooth and avoid getting an implant. The pain that accompanies an infected tooth also goes away!

Reasons for a Root Canal

Root canals are employed when the pulp within the tooth becomes affected. This can happen due to damage, infection, or decay. During the procedure, the dentist will go in and clean out the infected pulp, maintaining the tooth and avoiding serious consequences like an abscess or tooth loss. The area is then sealed to prevent further infection. Depending on the extent of the damage, the tooth will be finished with a filling or strengthened with a dental crown.

How Do I Know I Need One?

Dr. Molta or Dr. Moore will be the one to suggest that it’s time for a root canal, but there are some signs that may let you know that you’re headed toward this routine procedure. These include pain while eating, bumps or “pimples” on the gums, damage or injury to the tooth, tooth sensitivity, swelling, or discoloration in the tooth or gums. If you notice any of these symptoms persisting, definitely give us a call!

Restorative Dentistry in Holly Springs, NC

Do you need a restorative procedure? Leave it to us! Springs Village Dentistry offers a variety of different restorative procedures to fit our patients’ needs and restore their smile to its original beauty. Give us a call or visit our website at any time to arrange for your consultation.

Contact Us