The 7 Commest Dental Emergencies and How to Prevent Them
Dental emergencies sometimes occur when we least expect them to, bringing severe pain and discomfort. It’s, therefore, good to know what to do to prevent or treat dental emergencies to minimize complications and maintain optimum oral health. Our emergency dentist in Brandon thus took time to prepare this article to familiarize you with common dental emergencies and how to prevent them so you won’t suffer from complications related to dental emergencies.
7 Common Dental Emergencies
There are several types of dental emergencies; here are some of the most common, as per our findings:
Toothache
Toothache is a common side effect of several dental problems, but do you know that it can also be a sign of a dental emergency? Various dental problems can cause severe toothache. The most common dental issues that may cause severe toothache include periodontitis, tooth decay, and dental abscess. Seek emergency dental care near you if you keep experiencing constant dental pain that doesn’t subside with time, even after taking an over-the-counter painkiller.
Chipped or Broken Teeth
Several things can cause your teeth to chip or crack. For example, your tooth may break due to biting on hard objects, suffering from severe tooth decay, or trauma to the mouth region. After damaging your tooth, you may start experiencing symptoms that include pain, increased tooth sensitivity, or difficulty chewing. Once damaged, your tooth will become vulnerable and damage even further quite easily. Therefore, it’s vital to visit an emergency dental clinic near you soon as possible to have the tooth treated.
Knocked Out Tooth
Your tooth can come off when subjected to severe trauma resulting in mouth injuries. This may not entirely be your fault since it can occur from an accident at work or while traveling. If you happen to find yourself in a similar situation, don’t be quick to leave the scene. First, try to locate the fallen-out tooth, and if you find it, place it in a glass of milk or water mixed with salt. Don’t wash your tooth. This will preserve the tooth for a few minutes until your emergency dentist in Brandon can restore it. Don’t wait for too long before seeking treatment, or the natural tooth may become impossible to restore.
Lost Filling or Crown
Dental fillings, crowns, bridges, and other dental restorations may loosen or fall out for several reasons. For example, the restorations may wear naturally with time or get damaged due to accidental trauma. Losing a filling or crown can cause tooth sensitivity, discomfort, and pain. In addition, filling material may leak into your blood system and expose you to health problems. It’s thus vital that you see an emergency dentist soon as your dental restorations become loose or fall off.
Broken Orthodontics
Orthodontic appliances such as braces and aligners can break and cause dental emergencies. When orthodontic devices get damaged, wires and brackets may become loose and cause mouth injuries. So ensure you call your emergency dentist soon as you notice signs of damage in your braces or aligners.
Abscess
A dental abscess is a tooth emergency caused by a bacterial infection that forms within the tooth or gums. Symptoms related to tooth abscesses include swelling, toothache, and an unusual taste in the mouth. The abscess can grow larger with time and cause the spread of infection if treatment is delayed. When you visit our emergency clinic for treatment, Dr. Matthew Robin will diagnose your abscess and treat it to alleviate your dental pain and prevent the bacteria in the abscess from spreading to other parts of your body.
Bleeding and Pain After a Tooth Extraction
A little bit of blood and mild dental pain is quite normal after you’ve undergone a tooth extraction procedure. However, it could be a sign of a botched dental operation if the bleeding doesn’t subside a few days after and you keep experiencing severe dental pain even taking painkillers prescribed by your dentist. If that is the case, inform your dentist immediately so they can treat your dental emergency.
The Basics of Preventing a Dental Emergency
Most dental emergencies can be prevented, which is better than seeking treatment. Here are tips to help you prevent most dental emergencies:
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: brushing daily with a standard soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste will remove bacteria and plaque, thus lowering the possibility of developing tooth decay and gum disease.
Go For Routine Dental Checkups: regular dental checkups and cleanings allow your dentist to detect early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems which may become dental emergencies if left undetected.
Wear Protective Gear: contact sports such as boxing require participants to wear mouthguards and other protective gear for a good reason. Mouthguards protect your teeth from severe injury, which reduces the chances of tooth damage and mouth injuries.
Avoid Chewing Hard Objects: using your tooth to open bottles or biting on hard objects can cause your teeth or restorations to chip or crack. It’s, therefore, best to avoid doing that.
Watch What You Eat: some dental restorations and treatments require you to keep off certain foods during recovery. Adhere to dietary restrictions to protect your dental restorations from damage.
Limit Use of Alcohol and Tobacco: tobacco and alcohol are linked to oral diseases and are also known to slow down the healing of dental wounds. Limit or quit taking them to prevent future dental emergencies.
Conclusion
Dental emergencies can occur when least expected, causing dental pain, discomfort, and even tooth loss. By understanding the common types of dental emergencies, we can take preventive measures to minimize the chances of them occurring in the future. Follow the preventive tips we provided to safeguard yourself from future dental emergencies. While doing so, remember to visit Lithia Pinecrest Smiles – Brandon for regular dental checkups, cleanings, and treatment.