There are many ways to reduce your risk of experiencing a dental emergency, even if they can be extremely difficult to predict. Just a few ways to avoid them include:
Brushing twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste
Flossing at least once a day
Visiting our dental office once every six months for an exam and cleaning
Never chewing on inedible objects or extremely hard foods (think pens, pencils, bottles, ice cubes, hard candy, etc.)
Wearing a nightguard if your grind your teeth
Wearing a custom mouthguard if you play contact sports
Avoiding habits that damaged teeth, such as biting your nails
When you sustain a dental injury, it’s natural for your mind to race with questions. What is considered a dental emergency? Where should you turn for help? How can you manage your pain until your appointment? To help prevent your experience from becoming an anxiety-inducing one, we have listed a few frequently asked questions below. However, if you need immediate treatment from our emergency dentist, Dr. Moreira, contact our office right away.
In short, dental emergencies are non-life-threatening injuries that necessitate immediate attention from a dentist to stop bleeding, relieve pain, or save your tooth. A few common examples include knocked-out teeth, painful toothaches, unusual swelling, abnormal bleeding, and loose teeth. However, if you are ever uncertain, don’t hesitate to contact our office. From there, our experienced staff can help you determine whether the injury requires an urgent visit or an appointment at your earliest convenience.
When it comes to treating your teeth and gums, scheduling an appointment with Dr. Moreira is usually the best option. After all, he has extensive experience in everything from dental crowns and dental implants to root canals and extractions. However, if your injury results in a life-threatening condition (like the ones below), then you should head straight to the emergency room:
Oral bleeding that lasts longer than 10 minutes.
A broken jawbone.
Severe facial trauma.
Abnormal symptoms that inhibit your ability to breathe or swallow.
From a small chip to a completely knocked-out tooth, all dental emergencies require attention from a dental professional. That being said, there are a few steps you can take to manage your discomfort until your appointment:
Use a cold compress to alleviate swelling and numb the area.
Rinse with salt and warm water to prevent infection and reduce irritation.
Take over-the-counter pain medication to manage pain.
Try as we may to practice precaution, accidents can happen. Therefore, it is a good idea to prepare an emergency dental kit in the event that you or a loved one experiences a dental emergency. If you don’t have one already, make sure to include the below items in your emergency bag:
Floss
A dental mirror
Temporary fillings
Gauze
Disposable gloves
A small container to hold a knocked-out tooth
Over-the-counter pain-relief medication
Our contact information (specifically, our address and phone number)
If a sports-related incident knocks out your front tooth, a mild toothache becomes incredibly painful, or any unusual oral health-related symptoms arise, don’t hesitate to contact our office. That way, Dr. Moreira can restore your pain-free smile!