Learn How to Prepare For Dental Emergencies
Not all dental problems qualify as emergencies, but a toothache, a chipped tooth, or pain from a dental crown could become a serious dental problem if ignored. Learn now how to prepare for dental emergencies, because they can happen to anyone. Knowing what to do when an emergency happens could mean the difference between saving or losing your tooth.
Common Causes of Dental Emergencies
Serious dental injuries or problems can lead to even worse problems if not cared for immediately. On the other hand, a filling that has fallen out or a minor chipped tooth may be things that could wait until there is an appointment available.
Sports, riding bikes, car accidents, playground equipment, even rough play at home, can lead to oral injuries resulting in a dental emergency. Icy sidewalks and a simple fall can break or chip a tooth in adults or children alike. Other common causes of dental emergencies:
- Chipping a tooth drinking from glass bottles
- Eating something, such as hard candy or ice that breaks or cracks a tooth
- Losing a filling by chewing on sticky candy or gum
- Dental crown pain
- Tooth abscess
Even if you have no pain, a crack in the tooth surface, or the loss of a filling can cause an infection that can lead to a tooth abscess which, if left untreated, could become serious. Although these may not necessarily be dental emergencies, they should be cared for as soon as possible.
When It’s a Serious Dental Emergency
Not all dental problems require you to seek emergency dental care. In cases where one or more teeth have been completely knocked out, your mouth has been injured, or a tooth abscess that’s infected and leading to a lot of pain, you need to be seen immediately.
What to Do If You Have a Tooth Knocked Out
If one or more teeth has been knocked out, you should call Dr. Angela S. Evanson, DDS immediately to be seen within the hour for optimal chances of saving your tooth. Take the following steps to save and preserve the tooth immediately.
- Avoid scrubbing the tooth, which can damage it and make re-attachment impossible. Put the broken tooth in a glass of milk. If the root is still intact, this will prevent the root cells from dying.
- Avoid rinsing your mouth. Mouth injuries can bleed profusely, but just spit out the blood. Rinsing can make it hard for a clot to form.
- For chipped and broken teeth, rinse and save the pieces, if possible
Avoid Risky Behavior
- You wouldn’t necessarily call eating a piece of sticky candy risky behavior, but if you have tooth fillings, avoid the taffy!
- Chew your food slowly and avoid hard foods.
- Use scissors – don’t open packages with your teeth.
- Let ice cool your drink, but don’t chew on it. Ice is hard and cold and when our teeth experience extreme temperature changes, the enamel expands and contracts, causing tiny cracks and weakening the overall structure of the tooth.
- Always wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports.
Be Prepared For Dental Emergencies
You can’t always plan when you need to see the dentist, but if you experience dental pain, suffer an injury or trauma to your mouth that includes broken or missing teeth, cuts and other damage, put Dr. Evanson’s number (720) 409-0008 on speed dial to schedule an emergency appointment!
For routine examinations, please call Dr. Evanson’s office at (720) 409-0008, or contact us online to make an appointment. Our office located in Parker, Colorado, is easily accessible to the neighboring communities of Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, or Lone Tree.
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