Top 7 Dental Emergencies & How To Avoid Them
When was the last time you visited our office for an oral hygiene examination? If it has been longer than six months, then you are due for a visit. We also encourage you to schedule any recommended treatment that you may have postponed. Delaying dental care can lead to serious complications with your oral health. While dental emergencies can occur at any time, they are more common in patients who have delayed receiving dental care. It can be overwhelming to deal with a dental emergency. Read on to learn more about what is considered a dental emergency and how to help prevent it from occurring.
What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is anything out of the ordinary that concerns your dental health. If you or a loved one experiences pain, discomfort, or trauma to the mouth, it is important to assess the situation and remain as calm as possible. Overreacting will not be helpful and can make the situation worse. It is best to contact our office and explain what has occurred. Our staff will tell you if you need an immediate appointment, can be seen in a few days, or need to head to the emergency room. If you experience any of the following, be sure to contact us immediately:
- Toothache
- Abscess
- Lost filling or crown
- Broken, chipped, or cracked tooth
- Partially dislodged or knocked-out permanent tooth
- Severely bitten lip or tongue
- Severe bleeding of the lips, tongue, or gums
Ways to Prevent a Dental Emergency
The best way to prevent a dental emergency is to maintain routine hygiene examinations. If you have not visited our office in the past six months for an examination, now is the time to schedule an appointment. During routine exams, we are able to check your mouth for problem areas and treat them as soon as possible.
If you or a loved one plays sports or participates in contact activities, we encourage wearing a mouthguard to help protect your teeth. Sports are a common activity that can result in a dental emergency, and a mouthguard will provide a high degree of protection.
If you find yourself dealing with a dental emergency, it is extremely important to remain calm and assess the situation. For anything severe, we recommend heading to the nearest emergency room. Otherwise, be sure to call our office, which is located in Bowie, MD, and we can schedule an appointment for you. We hope you have a happy and healthy February, and we will see you in our office soon!
