The Underrated Cause ofDental Emergencies

At Center One Dental, we’ve seen our fair share of unintended tooth extractions, cracked teeth and severe toothaches. While sudden trauma and accidents are a common cause of dental emergencies, it’s important to note that many dental emergencies are preventable. Of course, we don’t refer to prevention exclusively as wearing a mouthguard or brushing regularly to stop plaque buildup. It also means getting to the dentist when you know that something is wrong.

When teeth are sensitive or gums are inflamed due to disease, the chances of a dental emergency go up significantly. In this month’s newsletter, we’ll go over exactly how emergencies occur, what you need to do when they happen and how prevention can make a big difference for your mouth and your budget.

How Dental Emergencies Happen

As mentioned, the most common cause of dental emergencies is physical trauma. Whether they be sports-related or from having a bad fall, it’s the main cause for patients coming in for treatment. In the event a tooth is cracked or chipped, a dental crown can sufficiently cover and seal the area, preventing future bacteria from reaching the inside of the tooth.

Alternatively, dental emergencies can take weeks and even months before they appear. For example, imagine waking up one morning to a severe toothache or facial swelling seemingly out of nowhere, confused as to what’s happening to your mouth. Dental emergencies like these are a result of issues that should have been addressed long before they developed, thus becoming a long-term problem. Dental fillings, crowns or root canal therapy coupled with antibiotics are typically the most ideal methods to saving teeth affected by toothaches or infections.

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The First Steps to Take

woman in dentist chair holding her cheek

Whether it’s a severe toothache or chipped tooth, the first step should always be to contact us to schedule an appointment. In most cases, we’re able to see you the same day your emergency occurs. Of course, not everyone is able to get to the dentist right away, so it’s important to know the right steps prior to getting to our urgent care office. We’ll break down these situations below to help you and your family stay prepared!

Broken or Knock-Out Teeth – Locate the tooth and pick it up by the crown only. After gently rinsing the tooth, making sure not to remove any tissue still attached, place it inside a container of milk, saline solution, saltwater or saliva. If your mouth is bleeding, bite down on gauze or a clean cloth to apply pressure. Use an ice pack to reduce swelling, slow bleeding and ease discomfort.
Severe Toothache – After gently rinsing your mouth with warm water, use an ice pack to reduce any swelling. Avoid biting down on the tooth until getting to the office. Take ibuprofen or naproxen as needed to reduce pain.

Preventing Emergencies and Saving Money

You’re probably aware of how much we emphasize prevention after finishing a routine checkup at our office. When it comes to dental emergencies, preventive measures are by far the most effective solution to avoiding unnecessary discomfort and higher dental costs. In fact, a study from Cigna on improving health and lowering medical costs found that every dollar spent on preventive care could save between $8 and $50 in restorative and emergency treatments.

Prevention always involves daily at-home brushing and flossing as well as keeping a balanced diet that promotes positive oral health. But getting treatments when you need them is just as important as well. You’ll save money in the long-term and have a smile to show off, just make sure to wear a mouthguard the next time you’re playing your favorite contact sport!

If you or a family member experiences a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to contact your emergency dentist Dr. Raj and the team at Center One Dental for urgent care you can rely on!

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