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When patients experience a dental emergency, it can be anxiety-inducing. How do you manage your symptoms? When can you see an emergency dentist? Will your smile suffer permanent damage? These are just a few of the questions you may have.
Fortunately, if you act promptly, a dental emergency like a toothache or a broken tooth doesn’t have to destroy your smile. You can follow these tips to minimize the permanent effects on your smile and all of the facial structures surrounding it.
What should I do in a dental emergency?
- Determine the severity of the issue: Is the issue serious enough to seek immediate care at your local ER? Or is it something that can wait for a few hours until you can get into see the dentist?
- Call our office to schedule a same-day appointment or get guidance after hours: You should keep the phone number of an emergency dentist handy should you ever need it. Not all dentists are able to accommodate same-day appointments, but our office can. You can even reach one of our staff members after hours via our answering service, if necessary.
- Use your dental emergency kit as needed: Keep a dental emergency kit on hand that includes basic supplies like gauze, oral analgesics, dental cement and tooth preservation media. If you’re not sure what items to add to this kit, check in with our dentist at your next appointment.
Tips to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Ideally, you’ll be able to avoid dental emergencies and eliminate the need for an emergency dentist to begin with. Here are some suggestions that can help you to achieve that goal.
- Practice good oral hygiene habits every day: When you brush and floss each day, you’re taking important steps to keep your teeth in optimal shape and reduce the chances of having a dental emergency.
- See your dentist twice each year for routine checkups and cleanings: When your dentist is inspecting your smile every six months, it’s much easier to diagnose oral diseases in early stages before they rise to the level of creating urgent symptoms.
- Do everything possible to prevent facial injuries: Facial trauma is a common cause of dental emergencies, so wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports, consistently wear your seatbelt and don’t drive under the influence or be the passenger of someone who is. Clear any tripping hazards from your home.
We are here to help you in cases of dental emergency. Don’t hesitate to call Crosspointe Dental & Orthodontics to schedule the next available appointment so that you can alleviate your symptoms as soon as possible.
