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Serving Mentor, Willoughby Hills & Concord Township, OH

Learn more about what to look for in a new dentist with Mentor Smiles! Our dentist office serves Eastlake, Kirtland, OH, and beyond. Contact us today!

Learn more about the importance of dental cleanings with Mentor Smiles! Our dentist provides cosmetic, general, and implant dentistry services in Mentor, OH. Contact us today!

Mentor Smiles is a dentist serving the Mentor, OH area. Click here to learn more about the signs that you need dental implants!

If you’re struggling with dental issues, it’s time to seek help from a professional. Contact Mentor Smiles in Mentor, OH to get started on your smile makeover!

Mentor Smiles is an oral surgeon serving Kirtland, OH. Click here to learn more about how long recovery takes from oral surgery!

Mentor Smiles provides dental implant dentistry and other services in Willoughby, OH, and beyond. Contact our dentist today to learn more!

Mentor Smiles is a dentist serving Willoughby, OH. Click here to learn more about the signs that indicate you need a root canal!

It’s very common to have a fear of going to the dentist. Some people are afraid of pain while their teeth are being worked on, while others have a fear of being told everything is wrong with their teeth. Whatever your fear is, here are some tips about how to reduce your anxiety while you’re at the dentist: Call and ask if they have a dentist for fearful patients - Giving the dentist's office a heads up about your fear of the dentist will give them time to find the best dentist for you. Not all dentists will have the patience to work with a nervous patient. Find a distraction - Some dentist offices have television, coloring stations for kids, magazines, and books in the waiting area. These are great things to use to calm your nerves while you wait to be seen by the dentist. Don't go alone - Even though it sounds silly, find a time to go to the dentist that works for your spouse too. This will give you someone to support you and reassure you that everything is going to be okay during your dentist appointment. Be a little early - Getting to the dentist a little early will give you or your child time to get acclimated to the new surroundings. Children tend to do better at the dentist when they see their parents get their teeth cleaned, so finding a family dentist is preferable for parents. Relaxation techniques - To help reduce your anxiety while you’re getting work done on your teeth at the dentist you could bring a stress ball and try to keep your mind focused on anything other than the dentist. This will decrease your chances of panicking while your dentist is working. Speak up if you feel pain - It’s a good idea to have a signal for the dentist to communicate that you are feeling pain. No matter what anyone says, it is not normal to feel pain at the dentist. Something like holding up one finger or your hand are great ways to communicate to your dentist that something doesn’t feel right.

At Mentor Smiles, we understand that dental emergencies can pop up out of nowhere. A trip or fall can lead to a tooth being knocked out. Tooth pain that you thought was manageable can become severe. When these sorts of things happen, you can’t afford to wait days or weeks for an appointment. You need treatment as soon as possible. The good news is that Mentor Smiles is here to provide same-day dental care when you need it most. Our emergency dentist in Mentor, OH will act quickly to preserve your teeth and your comfort. When you need us, all you have to do is call - we’ll fit you in! However, that being said, it’s natural to be unsure whether what you’re experiencing is a dental emergency or not. To help, we’ve put together a quick primer on dental emergencies so you know what to look for and when to seek help. What are the symptoms of a dental emergency? If you are bleeding from the mouth, have an abscess or infection, have lost or have a loose tooth, or are in severe pain, you’re having a dental emergency. Generally speaking, dentists consider a problem an emergency if waiting on treatment will lead to the loss of a tooth or severe pain. Some dental emergencies, like abscesses and infections, can even be life-threatening if left untreated. What types of problems are often considered emergencies? • Knocked-Out Teeth: If a tooth has been knocked out, it’s a dental emergency. Call the dentist right away. • Loose Teeth: Adult teeth should never become loose. If you have one or more loose teeth, you’re in danger of losing those teeth and need to see the dentist as soon as possible. • Bleeding from the Mouth: Oral bleeding is never a good sign! Call the dentist if you spot this symptom. • Cracked or Chipped Teeth: Sometimes a cracked or chipped tooth may be an emergency, but sometimes it might not be. If the crack or chip has sharp edges that could cut the inside of your mouth, or if it’s very painful, it’s a dental emergency. However, if it doesn’t hurt and isn’t in danger of cutting your mouth, you’ll generally be safe waiting a few days for treatment. • Abscess or Infection: Tooth abscesses are extremely dangerous: without treatment, the infection can spread to your jaw or other parts of the body. If you spot the symptoms of a tooth abscess - tooth sensitivity to temperature, a bump near the tooth that’s similar to a pimple, fever - call the emergency dentist right away. What should you do in a dental emergency? The safest thing to do is to call our emergency dentist right away - in fact, save our number in your phone so you’ll have it if you ever need it! Our office will do everything possible to fit you in for same-day dental care. We’ll also let you know how you should care for the tooth at home before you come in for your appointment. Remember, we offer same-day dental care for a reason: we know that sometimes, patients need it! Never hesitate to call us if you’re in pain or frightened by a symptom. Our office is here to get you through this emergency and help you smile again.