There are a few common dental emergencies that can occur. These include tooth decay, gum disease, and a chipped tooth. While it is always best to practice good dental care to prevent these emergencies, knowing what to do in case one occurs is also essential.
Fast and immediate response and proper first aid treatment are key. By taking the steps mentioned in this article, you can prevent further damage and restore your oral health to normal.
Broken or Chipped Teeth
If you encounter this emergency, rinse your mouth with warm water before applying gauze to the bleeding site. Apply a cold compress on the specific part of your face to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Seek emergency dental care.
Broken Orthodontics
Braces are designed to be tough, but they can still break or poke out. Try to push the broken wire into a suitable position. If this does not work, cover the exposed end with orthodontic wax or gauze.
Lost Crown or Filling
Cavities and fillings can ruin the appearance and function of your teeth, so it’s important to get them treated as soon as possible. In the meantime, try this temporary fix: Stick a piece of sugarless gum into the cavity. Do not try to fix the tooth yourself, as you could damage it.
Toothache
Pain is never a good sign. It can be a sign of many different conditions, one of which is tooth decay. Some toothaches can be managed without emergency treatment, but if there are other signs, like swelling, then urgent attention is required. Common remedies like aspirin or other painkillers should be avoided because they can burn the tissue around the affected gums. Call a dental clinic for emergency care.
How to Prevent Common Dental Emergencies
- Utilize a Mouthguard
A mouthguard is a device that is worn over the teeth to protect them from injury. Athletes often wear mouthguards to protect their teeth from being damaged during competition.
- Mind What You Eat
It is easy to crack or chip a tooth if you are not careful. Biting into hard candy or tough meats are some of the ways that teeth can become damaged. The best way to avoid this is to be mindful of what you are biting into. If you are considering eating something hard, it is best to avoid it as it is not worth the risk of damaging your teeth.
- Discontinue Oral Fixations
Oral fixations are bad habits that people have where they bite their nails or chew on pen caps and other things that are not food. These habits can cause you to crack or chip your teeth. You can break these habits by keeping your hands busy and chewing sugarless gum to redirect your oral fixations. Chewing gum will also help to stimulate saliva production and cleanse bacteria.
Conclusion
It is important to be aware of the different types of dental emergencies that can occur, as well as how to address and prevent them. By taking proper care of your teeth and gums and seeing your dentist regularly, you can help reduce your risk of experiencing any of those mentioned above.
Are you looking for an emergency dentist in North Bethesda? Trust Pike District Smiles. We offer comprehensive dental checkups, kid’s dentistry, root canals, periodontal care, dental implants, Invisalign, and more. Contact us.
