COVID-19 Update

Where we are headed... 

As the days in isolation drag on into this unfamiliar territory, we are staying positive here at Fitzgerald Dental Associates. Following the guidelines of the American Dental Association, we have made the difficult decision not to see patients for elective dental treatment to help decrease the spread of Covid-19 in our community.  We are eager to be able to open our doors again to our community and resume normalcy once again.  Until then, please stay safe and healthy!

DIY Fixes to Common Dental Emergencies 

ULCERS:  Apthous ulcers are annoying sores that tend to develop after trauma, food irritations, or a chemical sensitivity due to toothpaste.  While ulcers may be painful and annoying, the good news is that they are harmless and will heal by themselves.  For larger ulcers, give them 2-3 weeks to heal.  If you continue to get ulcers frequently, try changing your diet or toothpaste. 

At home remedy: Salt water rinses 2-3 times per day.  Salt water = 1/2 teaspoon + 8 ounces warm water OTC remedy: Orajel, GUM Canker-X, GUM Rincinol p.r.n.   

TOOTH SENSITIVITY:  Sensitive teeth can hold you back from everyday activities and quickly become a nuisance.  The cause can be from gum recession, cavities, or put simply, some people naturally have more sensitive teeth.  The first thing to do is to look at your toothpaste and toothbrush.  Make sure you are not using a whitening toothpaste, because these can be abrasive on enamel.  Double check to make sure you are using a soft to extra-soft tooth brush or electric toothbrush.  Hard tooth brushes can be a source of gum recession.  Both are common causes of sensitivity.  If you have sensitive teeth, you will want to start using more gentle products on your teeth and gums to give them a little more TLC! 

OTC remedy:  Sensodyne Rapid Relief, Crest Gum and Sensitivity, Arm and Hammer Sensitive Teeth and Gums, Listerine Sensitivity Zero Alcohol Rinse   

CHIPPED TOOTH:  Teeth tend to break or chip at the most inopportune moments.  If it is minor, here are some things you can do until you can make it into the dental office.  At Home Remedy:  Use a nail file or emery board to gently smooth any sharp areas 

OTC remedy: Use an over the counter temporary filling material such as DenTek Temparin Max Repair Kit or Dentemp Refil-it Filling Repair Material, orthodontic wax

CROWN FELL OFF:  Crowns are held on by mechanical retention of the preparation of the tooth itself and by the cement bonding the crown onto the tooth.  When a crown comes off, the tooth may be sensitive to hot and cold.  It is best if you can save the crown so you can attempt to place it back on the tooth temporarily until you can get in to see your dentist.  This will help decrease sensitivity and minimize tooth shifting.  All in all, it will help your dentist re-insert the crown when you are able to get into your dentist's office. 

OTC remedy: Try the crown back on the tooth first, to make sure you have the correct orientation.  Once you have achieved this, then use one of these OTC pastes/creams to temporarily hold the crown in place.  Remember, you will not need a lot; a little goes a LONG way!  OTC options:  Dentek Temparin Max Lost Cap Repair Kit, Recapit, Lost Filling and Loose Cap Repair, Poligrip, Fixodent

Family, Cosmetic and Laser Dentistry

When you visit our office, your smile is our top priority.  Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with the personalized, gentle care that you deserve.

Part of our commitment to serving our patients includes providing information that helps them to make more informed decisions about their oral health needs.  This website is a resource we hope you’ll find both useful and interesting.

Contact Us Today or Request An Appointment!

We genuinely hope this site is helpful to you in learning more about our practice, dental conditions and treatments, dental recommendations, and more.

Please browse through our website and be sure to give us a call if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment.

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve patient care and communications, we’re proud to announce an online service that will:

• Schedule an appointment
• Confirm appointments via email   
• Receive text message appointment reminders
• Submit and read patient reviews
• Refer a friend or family member