What Are Common Dental Emergencies and How to Prevent Them?

Dental emergencies are common and can happen to anyone at any time. Knowing what to do in a dental emergency is essential, as prompt treatment can save a tooth or improve the prognosis for other dental injuries.

What Are the Most Common Dental Emergencies?

Here’s a rundown of the most common dental emergencies and what you should do if you find yourself in one.

Toothache: A toothache is usually a sign of an infection in the tooth or in the gum. If you have a toothache, rinse your mouth with warm water and floss to remove any food or debris that may be causing the pain. Take ibuprofen to help with the pain, and call your dentist immediately.

Broken tooth: If you have a broken tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken piece of the tooth, bring it with you to your dentist. If the tooth is jagged or sharp, cover it with sugarless gum or dental wax to protect your tongue or cheek. Call your dentist right away.

Knocked-out tooth: If you have a tooth that has been knocked out, find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (the white part), not the root. Rinse the tooth off, but do not scrub it. If you can, try to put the tooth back into the socket. If that’s not possible, place the tooth in a cup of milk. Call your dentist right away.

Cavity: A cavity is a hole in your tooth that is caused by decay. If you have a cavity, your tooth will be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. You may also see a visible hole in your tooth. Call your dentist to schedule an appointment to have the cavity filled.

Abscess: An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around the tooth. An abscess is usually the result of an infection. Symptoms of an abscess include pain, swelling, and fever. If you think you have an abscess, call your dentist right away.

What Are the Best Ways to Prevent Dental Emergencies?

Dental emergencies can be very painful and expensive to treat. Luckily, there are some things you can do to help prevent them. Here are the best ways to prevent dental emergencies:

1. Brush and Floss Your Teeth Regularly

This is one of the most important things you can do to prevent dental emergencies. By brushing and flossing daily, you remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth, reducing your risk of developing cavities and other dental problems.

2. See Your Dentist Regularly

Another great way to prevent dental emergencies is to see your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. This way, your dentist can spot any potential problems early on and treat them before they become serious.

3. Wear a Mouthguard

If you play sports or engage in other activities with a risk of getting hit in the mouth, it’s important to wear a mouthguard. Mouthguards protect your teeth from being damaged or knocked out.

4. Avoid Chewing on Hard Objects

Chewing on complex objects like ice or hard candy can crack or break your teeth. If you must chew on something hard, be sure to use your back teeth, which are stronger than your front teeth.

Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools

Your teeth are not meant to be used as tools for opening bottles or ripping open packages. Doing so can damage your teeth and lead to dental emergencies.

Conclusion

Dental emergencies can be extremely painful and stressful. However, knowing what to do and having a plan in place can minimize the damage and get the treatment you need quickly. Be sure to see your dentist regularly to help prevent dental emergencies from happening in the first place.

If you are seeking dental emergency treatment in Weymouth, you can come to visit us at Weymouth Dental Arts. We offer various dental treatment services, with your dental hygiene as our priority. Get in touch with us to book an appointment.