Dental emergencies can be terrifying, particularly when you least expect them. But while you can’t avoid them, it is crucial to get preventive dental services in the first place. This allows your dentist to spot oral issues and treat them early on before they become major. Also, understanding common dental emergencies and their preventive measures helps protect oral health and lower the risk of further damage. Read on for more information.
What Are the Common Dental Emergencies and How to Avoid Them?
The following are among the most common dental emergencies anyone can encounter and how you can prevent them:
1. Chipped, Cracked, or Broken Teeth
Tooth fractures can occur due to hard impacts from accidents, grinding and clenching your teeth, or even weakened tooth enamel because of bad habits.
Here‘s how you can prevent it:
- Ask your dentist about wearing a mouthguard when playing contact sports.
- Be consistent on regular dental checkups so your dentist can determine and treat any weaknesses in your enamel early on. You may click here to learn more about the essential dental services.
- Stop clenching or grinding your teeth due to stress.
- Avoid chewing tough objects, including ice cubes or pens, as these can cause your teeth to crack.
2. Severe Toothache
Cavities, gum disease, dental abscesses, and sinus infections often cause toothaches. They can also be triggered by a loose filling or crown. To prevent it from happening, consider the following steps:
- Keep up with good oral health practices, including brushing twice and flossing once daily.
- Schedule a visit to your dentist at least twice annually for cleanings and checkups to detect any signs of infection early on. You may browse the web to learn more about the importance of preventive dentistry in North Atlanta.
- Avoid using hard things like pencils or pens to pry open stuck food particles between your teeth, as this might damage tooth enamel and increase the risk of decay.
- If you notice any changes in your oral health, contact a credible dental facility near you.
3. Lost Dental Crown or Filling
Crowns and fillings can come loose due to decay, age, biting on hard objects, or a blow to the teeth. To prevent them from becoming a dental emergency, observe the following preventive measures:
- Avoid chewing on hard objects like ice cubes, as this might cause existing fillings and crowns to become loose or dislodged.
- Visit your dentist twice annual for checkups and cleanings so that they can inspect your crowns and fillings for signs of wear and tear.
- Brush twice with fluoride toothpaste and floss once daily. Use mouthwash to keep your gums and teeth healthy.
4. Infections
Dental infections must never be left untreated, as they can become more severe. Maintaining good oral hygiene, like brushing two times a day, helps prevent infection. Moreover, schedule routine checkups with your dentist to help determine any infections early on and prevent them from worsening in the long run.
Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Halitosis
- Discomfort in your jaw or mouth
- Redness around the affected tooth or gum area
- Swelling around the affected gum or tooth area
5. Jaw Pain
Jaw pain can be caused by clenching and grinding your teeth, a bad bite (malocclusion), an injury, and even TMJ Disorders. If not treated for a long time, it can cause serious health issues.
Prevention measures include:
- Avoid grinding and clenching your teeth due to stress.
- Wear a nightguard if you deal with bruxism (teeth grinding) while sleeping.
- Find professional help for the treatment of TMJ Disorders as soon as possible.
- Avoid biting down too hard on foods, and be careful when eating.
- Schedule regular dental appointments to identify any signs of jaw pain early on.
When you experience these urgent dental circumstances, it’s important to contact professionals specializing in emergency dentistry in North Atlanta.
