Making an emergency trip to the dentist’s office is never going to be convenient. It often occurs at an unexpected moment and can be stressful, especially if it is after hours. Not knowing whether or not the tooth can be saved will add to the stress. By taking the right steps in advance, a tooth emergency can often be avoided.
About Dental Emergencies
When you have a dental emergency, it is usually necessary to try to get to the dentist’s office within an hour. This brief time can make the difference between being able to save a tooth and losing it. Knowing what to do at the moment the accident occurs can also make a difference.
Preventing Emergencies
Although many emergencies cannot be prevented, some of them can be. The overall techniques for prevention are rather simple and everyone should know them. They include
• Good Personal Oral Care
Taking care of your teeth every day is a good way to start preventing emergency visits to the dentist. Good oral care will help to keep bacteria and acid off of your teeth and gums. Avoiding this daily practice will lead to the development of cavities and probably gum disease.
• Chewing Habits
Although the enamel on your teeth is hard, it can crack or chip. If you chew on hard substances such as ice cubes, pencils, or hard candies, it can crack or chip a tooth. This can cause a painful experience if the crack is wide enough to let you see the dentin inside. A tooth that has a wide crack in it will probably need to be extracted.
• Protect Your Teeth
When you or your child engages in sports or some other similar activity, it is always a good idea to wear a mouthguard. There are different types but the best is going to be one made by your dentist. It will be custom-fitted and this will make it more comfortable. Many times a mouthguard can prevent a tooth emergency and help you avoid dentist bills.
• Eat Healthy Meals
Your teeth, just like all other parts of your body, need vitamins and minerals to stay strong. A poor diet can lead to teeth that are weak and will more easily break or crack.
• Get Regular Dental Checkups
A lot of people avoid regular visits to the dentist. This can lead to a dental emergency because problems such as a cavity become worse if it is not treated when first spotted. This can lead to a sudden attack of pain.
If the cavity goes into the pulp of the tooth, it could become infected and this will be very painful. It could also cause an abscessed tooth, which is an emergency and needs to be treated immediately. This condition could become fatal if treatment is not given.
If you need to schedule a dental checkup or have a tooth emergency, you can contact Mountain View Dental. Our friendly and professional dentists have a comfortable office and they can help maintain the health of you and your family’s teeth. Contact our dentists today to set up a consultation or to get answers to your questions.
