Are you currently experiencing a dental emergency? Do you have a plan in case one happens? Unfortunately, many people don’t know what to do if they have a traumatic dental injury or a bad toothache. To save yourself the trouble of finding an emergency dentist in your area, especially when you’re already in pain, give Brush Dental a call. At the very least, we recommend keeping our dental office number in your phone just in case. Our team is filled with experts who know how to handle just about every kind of dental emergency out there. We can even schedule same-day appointments for emergency dentistry in Royse City, TX!
Dental emergencies can come in many different forms and levels of severity. While some can take many months to develop before they cause problems, such as a dental infection, others can occur almost instantly, like a sporting-related incident. Whatever the cause of your dental emergency, you shouldn’t be left in pain or discomfort. When you call, we’ll talk you through your situation and get you scheduled for a visit right away. Before you arrive, here’s what you should do to handle the following types of emergencies before your next appointment:
Start by gently rinsing your mouth and flossing around the affected tooth. Remove any food debris that may be stuck. If discomfort continues, take ibuprofen. Do not apply aspirin directly to the gums or near the tooth as this can cause a chemical burn and other issues to occur.
Collect all pieces of your tooth and place them in a safe container. Bring the container to our dental office. If your mouth is bleeding, you can apply pressure to your open socket/broken tooth to stop the bleeding. A cold compress can help manage any swelling. If the tooth is sharp or jagged in any way, cover it with dental wax, dental cement, or sugar-free chewing gum.
Pick up the tooth, making sure to do so by the crown portion only. Gently rinse it with water and make sure to not remove any tissue still attached to the root. You can keep your tooth under your tongue or in your open socket to preserve it. Get to our dental office within the next hour if you want the best chance of getting the tooth reimplanted.
If you still have the restoration, rinse it off and place it back onto your tooth using denture adhesive, dental cement, or sugar-free chewing gum if nothing else is available. This is only a temporary solution and you’ll need professional intervention and likely a new restoration as well. If you don’t have the restoration, cover the damaged tooth with sugar-free chewing gum and avoid chewing on that side of your mouth if you can.
Due to their unpredictable nature, dental emergencies cannot be avoided entirely. That being said, many urgent dental problems are the result of long-term issues that have been steadily worsening over time. For that reason, there are several precautions you can take to minimize the risk of you or your loved ones experiencing a dental emergency. Read on to learn five of them!
Many people don’t feel that they need to visit their dentist if their teeth feel fine. Unfortunately, this isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, the vast majority of oral health problems, including tooth decay and gum disease, don’t cause pain or discomfort in the early stages. You might not even notice that something is wrong until your smile has sustained severe damage.
That’s why preventive dental care is crucial. By coming in to see us at least every six months, Dr. Kuan and Dr. Lam can examine your mouth and ensure there are no potential emergencies hidden beneath the surface. If they do detect any problems, they can administer treatment right away, stopping emergencies in their tracks.
In between appointments, one of the easiest ways to prevent dental emergencies is to practice good oral hygiene. Neglecting to brush or floss often enough allows bacteria-filled plaque and tartar to build up on your teeth and gums. Eventually, these particles weaken your tooth enamel and inflame your gums, which can spiral into a painful dental emergency.
To prevent this, make sure to brush twice a day, floss before bed, and rinse with mouthwash regularly. Try to use fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash to strengthen your teeth against cavities.
It’s no secret that overindulging in candy can give you cavities. However, sugary snacks are far from the only foods that can lead to dental emergencies. For example, acidic beverages like soda can wear down your enamel, and hard foods may chip or crack a tooth. Limit foods and beverages like these. Swap them out for mouth-healthy items that contain lots of fiber, vitamin C, and calcium.
Even though tooth enamel is the hardest material in the human body, a sudden impact or long-term exposure to pressure can break it. If you play a sport that comes with the risk of injury to the face, ask us about making you a professional, custom mouthguard. We can also make you a protective nightguard if you have a habit or grinding your teeth while you sleep.
It may feel tempting to save a few moments by using your teeth to snap the cap off of a pen, open a bottle, or carry that last bag of groceries. However, one wrong move could cost you an even greater amount of time (and money) by breaking your tooth! Your teeth should only be used for chewing food. For anything else, always reach for the right tool instead.
The cost of your dental emergency will vary depending on your unique needs, but one thing is for sure, it’s this: seeking treatment immediately is the best thing you can do right now. If you wait, your dental issues can actually worsen, resulting in more complex treatments to resolve the problem (and therefore higher dental care costs.) The best way to minimize discomfort, as well as costs tied to care, is to contact us right away.
