How To Prevent A Dental Emergency & What To Do If One Occurs
We don’t know about you, but we are thrilled that spring is right around the corner. Spring is a time when many of our patients go outdoors to play sports and have fun with family. Nothing can ruin a fun time or exciting plans like a dental emergency. It always seems like an emergency happens at the least ideal time. There are certain things you can do to help prevent a dental emergency. Read on to learn more.
What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency can happen at any time. If you or a loved one experiences an oral health problem, it is important to remain calm and assess the situation. There are some emergencies that do not require immediate attention and others that need to be looked at right away. If any of the following issues occurs, call our office as soon as possible:
- A tooth gets knocked out
- A mouth injury that won’t stop bleeding
- Broken or damaged braces
- A significant crack or chip in a tooth
- A lost filling or crown
- A dental abscess
How to Prevent a Dental Emergency
The best way to prevent a dental emergency is to visit our office for routine oral hygiene examinations. During these visits, we can determine if you have any problems with your oral health and recommend treatment. It is also extremely important to receive any treatments we recommend in a timely manner. When you postpone or delay treatment, your dental problem will continue to progress until it eventually leads to severe discomfort or additional problems that require immediate treatment.
We know that many of our adult and adolescent patients play sports. We encourage all of our patients who are athletes to wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth. It is extremely necessary for contact sports. If your mouth is hit while playing, the mouthguard will absorb most of the impact and protect your teeth.
If you or a loved one experiences a dental emergency, it is important to remain calm and contact our office, which is located in Terre Haute, IN, for instructions. Serious issues may need immediate attention at a local emergency room. We can help determine if you need emergency services or we can treat you in our office. We also recommend calling to schedule a routine hygiene examination and cleaning if it has been some time since your last appointment. We wish you and your family a healthy spring!
