Handling Common Dental Emergencies

At Pellegrino Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, our staff understands that accidents happen. People can risk breaking their teeth or otherwise injuring their mouths while eating, playing, exercising, and participating in other seemingly harmless activities. Knowing what to do when a dental emergency occurs can mean all the difference between saving and losing a tooth. If you experience a dental emergency, please call us immediately. 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.

To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.allentowndentist.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jason Pellegrino at Pellegrino Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in Allentown, PA, call 610-530-7901.

Tender Teeth Causes

If eating food and beverages that are hot or cold make you say, “Ouch,” you’re likely practicing some bad habits that are causing your teeth to be sensitive. If desensitizing toothpaste doesn’t treat the problem, Dr. Jason Pellegrino may recommend other treatments, such as a filling, a crown, an inlay, or bonding to correct a flaw or decay that result in sensitivity. Sometimes, however, the solution is simply breaking bad habits. If you catch yourself performing any of the following tasks, do your best to stop yourself in your tracks.

• You’re brushing too hard – over time, if you brush with too much force, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, tooth sensitivity is a result.


• You’re eating too many acidic foods – If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods will cause you pain.


• You have tooth decay – If you have tooth decay, it’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown.


• You’re a tooth grinder – Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. This exposes the dentin and causes sensitive teeth.

If you have sensitive teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.allentowndentist.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jason Pellegrino at Pellegrino Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in Allentown, PA, call 610-530-7901.

Natural-Looking Custom Crowns

When a tooth becomes cracked or weakened, it is important to make it strong again to prevent infection. Restoring health and function of a tooth is essential for both oral and overall health. Dental crowns are long lasting and strong tooth restorations, which is why we at Pellegrino Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in Allentown, PA, choose to use them for our patients.

Dental crowns are like caps that go on your tooth when there has been too much decay or damage for a filling to hold. They are completely customized, so they blend in with the rest of your natural teeth. Crowns are not only restoring your oral health but also improving the aesthetic look of your smile!

In our dental practice, we have updated technology so that we can create a custom crown right in our office. CEREC technology scans your reshaped tooth and begins milling a tooth that looks and feels just like one of your natural teeth. CEREC cuts out weeks of waiting time.

If you are interested in learning more about our natural-looking crowns, contact Pellegrino Cosmetic and Family Dentistry of Allentown, PA. We can be reached in our office at (610) 530-7901 or through our website, www.allentowndentist.com. 

Root Canals Are Quick and Comfortable

Root canals used to trigger scary thoughts, but these days, root canals are usually no more than minor discomfort. At Pellegrino Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in Allentown, PA, we perform root canals that are quicker and more comfortable than root canals of the past. We are changing the root canal reputation one patient at a time!

When a tooth is infected, it can become painful, irritating, and sensitive. With modern pain medication and advances in dental technology, root canal therapy does not come with the pain or discomfort they may have in the past. Root canals save teeth and relief the pain associated with an infection.

To begin the process of a root canal, an access hole is drilled into the tooth to reach the infected dental pulp. The pulp is cleaned out, replaced with a sealant called gutta-percha, and then a filling is placed on the access hole. In some cases, we may want to apply a crown to the tooth for extra protection.

If you would like to find out more about root canal therapy or have been experiencing prolonged pain, please schedule an appointment with us at our Allentown, PA dentistry. Call Pellegrino Cosmetic and Family Dentistry at (610) 530-7901 to schedule or visit our website, www.allentowndentist.com for more information.