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What is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any dental problem that requires immediate attention from a dentist. This can include:
- Severe or persistent toothache that can’t be addressed with over-the-counter pain medications
- Severe swelling on your face or in your mouth
- Knocked out, chipped or broken teeth
- Lost crowns or fillings
- Cuts to the lip or tongue
Any of these can cause pain, discomfort or damage to your teeth that needs to be treated quickly by a dentist.
How can I avoid dental emergencies?
How can we avoid having a dental emergency now that we understand what it is? Even though dental emergencies can occur for a variety of reasons and despite our best efforts, we can always take precautions to lower the likelihood that we will hurt our gums, teeth, or jaw.
Use your teeth for chewing food only.
Many of us use our teeth for things other than chewing food. However, this is a simple way to chip or injure them, as you expose your teeth, as well as your inner cheeks, lips, and gums, to harm.
Take the extra time to find the appropriate tools such as scissors, and save your teeth for chewing food.
Wear a sports mouthguard.
Do you engage in any physically demanding, high-impact activities or sports? Despite the fact that these are excellent for getting your heart rate up and keeping you physically active, they can also be dangerous because you run the risk of suffering injuries to your head, face, or neck.
Significant injuries from these blows are often the result, which can cause dental emergencies. Always wear a mouthguard made specifically for you to protect your teeth and mouth from harm to prevent these situations from occurring.
Cut back on sugary foods.
We all enjoy snacks, and a sugar rush in the late afternoon can be very appealing. Sugar, on the other hand, causes plaque and bacteria buildup, which causes tooth decay, cavities, tooth wear, and gum disease, which can lead to dental emergencies. Other foods, such as hard candy and popcorn kernels, can also pose a risk.
Stock up on crunchy vegetables like carrots and healthier soft foods like yogurt the next time you're at the grocery store. After a few weeks of avoiding hard, chewy sugary foods, you won't miss them - and your teeth will thank you.
Maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine at home.
Part of avoiding dental emergencies involves preparation and day to day maintenance. Dental emergencies sometimes happen as a result of tooth decay or painful cavities.
Maintaining a rigorous oral hygiene routine can reduce the chances of these. Remember to brush twice daily for two minutes each time and floss at least once per day.
Visit your dentist regularly.
Regular trips to the dentist for hygiene cleanings and exams are essential in addition to maintaining a routine for maintaining good oral hygiene. They can identify any problems with your teeth early on and help you avoid dental emergencies in addition to cleaning your teeth with tools of the highest calibre.