PREVENTING A DENTAL EMERGENCY

According to Colgate, pain is the number one reason that people visit the dentist for an emergency. Unfortunately, most people do not practice preventive Dentistry leaving their old silver fillings, 10-year-old crowns and other dental restorations to their own devices.

Exercising, eating, playing, and even participating in activities that are seemingly harmless can result in a Dental Emergency. If you break, crack or knockout your tooth, a trip to the dentist should be the first thing you do. Loose teeth, lost fillings, broken dental crowns, and bridges can cause additional injuries to your gums, cheeks, and lips and should be taken care of by your dentist sooner rather than later.

Although not every Dental Emergency can be prevented, some can. If you or your kids participate in recreational sports, schedule an appointment with your dentist for a custom made mouthguard. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that is true when it comes to your teeth and gums. Recent statistics show that people who do not wear custom-made mouthguards are more susceptible to Dental Emergencies than people who wear mouthguards when they surf, play tennis, mountain bike riding or rollerblading. Mouthguards aren’t just for contact sports.  

Although mouthguards do prevent Dental Emergencies, accidents can happen. If you knock your tooth out, call your dentist and schedule an emergency appointment. Experts agree that it is imperative that you see your dentist within sixty minutes of the initial knockout. You will have a better chance of saving your tooth if you see your dentist as quickly as possible.

On your way to the dentist, handle the tooth carefully. If it is dirty, gently rinse being careful not to scrub anything, especially the roots. The cells on the roots are necessary so that your dentist can reattach the tooth. Try to place the tooth back in the cavity. If this isn’t possible, you can keep it moist by placing it between your cheek and gum. It is vital that the tooth doesn’t dry out. You can also put the knocked out tooth in some water with a pinch of salt, saline solution or plain milk.

Not all Dental Emergencies can be prevented, but if you practice preventive dentistry, schedule regular appointments and brush twice and floss once a day, you will increase your chances when it comes to stopping a Dental Emergency.

December 15, 2014 | Uncategorized Back to Blog