Dental emergencies happen on the daily, and no matter how careful you might be with your teeth, some accidents are bound to happen. Knowing what to do in the event this could happen to you or any of your loved ones is vital. In some serious cases, if you do not know what steps to take right after an accident, you can wind up losing the tooth involved.

What To Do In Case of a Dental Emergency

Take Immediate Action

The moment after a dental accident, it is vital to take immediate action especially if there’s any blood involved. Before even getting to your dentist, attend to the issue right away to avoid any infections and further bleeding. If your teeth was accidentally knocked out, the best thing you can do is preserve the tooth. There are tooth preserving products that help keep it fresh, but if you don’t have that, try placing the tooth on the root and have it sit. This will help your teeth not to shift. In the event you bite your lip or tongue and it starts to bleed, apply a cold compress on right away.

Contact Your Dentist

Once you’re able to place temporary aid on the affected area, it is crucial that you contact your dentist shortly after. Try to place an emergency check up with them if possible or work with any other dentists open to walk-ins. If you just allows the tooth to heal on its own, you are risking your teeth and oral health of various infections and disease. The treatment your dentist decides to do will also help to protect and strengthen your gum and overall oral health.

Consult Your Dental Insurance Provider

If you don’t have extra money lying around to pay for emergency dental care but you do have insurance, you will be able to cover the expenses. Most policies do cover emergency dental care among other things which is why it is an investment worth taking advantage of. The cost of any dental work that insurance covers is quite costly, with many dentists not open to payment plans for those without coverage.

Having dental insurance may not seem as important as other coverages, but it really comes in handy for situations like this. Most people don’t realize the value of dental insurance until they see the bill of their dental work. The amount you can save with insurance definitely makes paying a monthly fee 100% worth it.

When you know what to do in case of a dental emergency, not only will you be able to prevent further damages from happening but you will also cut your losses short. Above all, having awareness on what to do will only benefit you in the long run. Preventative measures after any dental emergency is also always a great way to lower your chances in experiencing anything like it again. Regular checkups, daily maintenance, and cleaning can truly go a long way in protecting your teeth.

One of the most ubiquitous treats in our world is chewing gum. For years parents have admonished their children to brush their teeth after chewing so cavities will not form on the kid’s teeth.

It turns out that many of the parents’ fears were needless because in certain situations, gum not only does not hurt teeth; it actually helps clean our mouths.
There are two parts to this idea that gum can help, not hurt. The first is the kind of gum that is chewed and the second is the amount of extra saliva that is produced while chewing gum.

Sugarless Gum

Originally gum was made from the sap of a tree. That sap was tapped from the sapodilla tree, similarly to the way maple sap is tapped for maple syrup. Then the sap was mixed with sugar and flavorings and cooked until the substance we call gum was produced.

Now, most gum is made from an artificial rubber compound called polyisobutylene. This has a similar temperature profile to chicle (the original ingredient in gum) so that it softens as it is chewed.

Numerous studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum after eating helps rinse off the teeth and neutralize the acids produced by the bacteria in plaque.

It is only sugarless gum that helps keep your mouth clean. Chewing a piece of gum made with regular sugar does not help clean your mouth. In fact, this can even exacerbate tooth decay.

The main benefits of gum chewing come from the additional saliva produced by the act of chewing. The artificial sweeteners stimulate saliva flow.

This, in turn, neutralizes acid in your mouth and washes away food particles.

Sugarless Gum Sweetened With Xylitol

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol. It combines chemical characteristics of both sugars and alcohols but does not affect blood sugar the way regular sugar does. It is often used in sugar-free foods. Xylitol is produced naturally from birch trees and the fibers of the xylan plant. It tastes similar to regular sugar and has minimal aftertaste.

Gum that is sweetened with xylitol provides an extra mouth cleaning benefit. Xylitol actually inhibits production of the streptococcus mutans bacteria, which is responsible for creating cavities. When xylitol is in the mouth the bacteria lose the ability to stick to your teeth. This keeps them from attacking your teeth and causing cavities.

The Final Word On Chewing Gum To Keep Your Mouth Clean

When you chew sugarless gum, you are actually helping keep your mouth fresh and clean. Chewing a gum made with xylitol can actually reduce the amount of cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth.

No matter what anyone has to say, chewing the right kind of gum can help keep your mouth clean.

The Mountain View Dental offices are located at 2797 US-89, Suite 201, in Pleasant View. They offer a recently redesigned facility complete with nineteen exam rooms each equipped with Netflix stations. The facility is comfortable and professional. The staff members are extremely courteous and helpful. Please call the office anytime at 385-324-3557 for any questions or to schedule an appointment.

How to get over fear of the dentist is an important step in improving your overall health. If you have fears about visiting the dentist, you may end up losing your teeth one day. Now, losing one or two teeth may not bother you. But losing 10 or 20 teeth means you will need to wear dentures, get one or more bridges or pay for expensive implants. So, learning how to eliminate your fears of dental procedures can help you save your teeth and develop more self-esteem. Here are a few practical tips on how to get over fear of the dentist:

Select the Right Dentist

Read three or four online reviews on local dentists. Call several dental offices with favorable reviews. If the receptionist is rude and does not want to hear what you have to say, call another office. You do not want to deal with an angry receptionist who makes you feel ill at ease whenever you have an appointment. When you find a receptionist who takes the time to speak with you, make an appointment.

Confide in the Dentist

Tell the dentist about your innermost fears. A caring dentist with speak with you about your concerns and attempt to ease your fears. Stick with a dentist who makes you feel calm. If you feel uncomfortable, find another dentist.

Bring a Friend to your Appointment

Most dentists will permit you to sit in the examination room while the dentist examines your teeth. You may feel less fearful if a good friend is sitting nearby. You may not need to bring a friend with you during every visit. Once you become accustomed to the dentist, you will feel comfortable going to the appointments by yourself.

Choose a Dentist Offering Modern Conveniences

Many dental offices today offer patients modern conveniences, including movies and musical selections. Watching a good movie or listening to your favorite music may enable you to feel less fearful of dental procedures. A comfortable dental chair is another modern convenience provided by some dental offices. You can also tell the dentist whether you prefer to sit or recline in the dental chair.

Reclining may cause you to feel as though you will vomit. Some dentists may insist on filling your tooth or performing another dental procedure while you are in a reclining position. If the dentist refuses to treat you in a sitting position, you need to look for another dentist.

Choose the Ideal Dentist who Eases your Fear

At Mountain View Dental, we care about your effort to learn how to get over fear of the dentist. Plus, you can take your pick from four dentists and three hygienists. Our comfortable dental office offers digital X-rays, dental braces, extractions and teeth cleaning. Our professional office will satisfy your requirements. Caring employees will help you leave your fears at the door. Ask our friendly receptionist questions about dental procedures. Schedule an appointment today so that you can receive optimum dental care every three to six months.

Monday	8 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday	8 AM - 7 PM
Wednesday	8 AM - 7 PM
Thursday	8 AM - 7 PM
Friday	8 AM - 3 PM
Saturday	8 AM - 12 PM
Sunday	Closed