Like any other type of medical emergency, dental emergencies are difficult to prevent. You never know when or where they will occur. Sure you can protect yourself at an extent, but you can’t prepare for everything. Below are 5 of the most common causes for dental emergencies. Should you ever find yourself in a similar situation to any of the cases below, consult your dentist immediately. If he/she is unavailable, visit an emergency room.
1) Sports Injuries
Sports can be fun to play, but dangerous as well. As bodies go flying, and arms go flailing, injuries can occur. It’s important to protect yourself as best you can while playing any sport, but sometimes there just isn’t anything that you can do. A hard tackle, or an inadvertent elbow can knock a tooth loose or out. If a permanent tooth is knocked loose, put it in a milk or salt solution and bring it to your dentist as soon as possible. Similarly, if a tooth is chipped bring the piece to your dentist as quickly as you can. The sooner he/she gets it, the sooner he/she can bond it back into place.
2) Injuries at Home
Slipping and falling is not all that uncommon in the home. You can protect yourself by cleaning properly, and not leaving any potentially dangerous items strewn about the floor, but again, sometimes things just happen. If you fall and slip at home, and you lose or chip a tooth, time becomes a factor. If instead a tooth is knocked out of position, it’s important for you to move it back into its proper place. The quicker you can do this, the better chance you will have of saving that tooth.
3) Improper Oral Hygiene
In this case, the emergency is less of a freak accident and much more of a preventable issue. Brushing and flossing regularly will prevent plaque buildup and infection. If you do not brush regularly, you are putting your mouth at risk. If you experience serious pain that does not diminish after a few hours/days you should consult a doctor immediately. He/she may be able to perform an immediate dental procedure to correct the problem.
4) Injuries While Eating
We all know that sugary candies can cause cavities, but hard food items like apples can cause dental issues as well. If you bite into something hard and experience pain or discomfort you may have a dental emergency on your hands. Similarly, if you lose a cap or a cavity while eating, you should consult your dentist right away. He/she can quickly re-fill a cavity or re-bond a chipped tooth eliminating the pain.
5) The Unforeseen
There are some things that you simply can’t prepare for. A busted brace, or an injury to your tongue or cheek can occur without warning during your normal daily activities. There is no sense in worrying about them, but knowing what to do when they occur is important. Cleaning an area after injury is important, as is contacting a trained professional.
Keep these tips in mind and you should be back to normal in no time.