A dental emergency can happen at any time, especially now that the weather has warmed up and more and more people are moving outside. Sports seasons are in full swing and that means an increased risk of dental emergencies. In fact, it is estimated that as much as 39% of dental injuries occur while playing sports, with about 80% affecting one of the front teeth. But a dental emergency can happen at any time, not just on the sports field (or court).
A dental emergency is any oral health problem that could be potential serious and should not be ignored, including a toothache, chipped or broken tooth, broken braces, abscess, soft tissue (gum) injury, lost filling, lost crown, and more.
How to Handle a Dental Emergency
A dental emergency can interfere with your normal, day-to-day activities, like eating and even speaking. This is why it is so important to deal with a dental emergency as soon as possible. It is an emergency after all.
In both of the below situations, the first thing you should do is call your dentist. You should try to see him/her as soon as possible.
- Damaged Teeth: To avoid further damage, clean the area by rinsing it with warm water. If the tooth has become dislodged, rinse it off and try to place it back in the socket. If this doesn’t work, place the tooth in milk and bring it with you to your dental appointment. Next, to help ease pain and discomfort, place a cold compress against the skin near the area with the affected tooth.
- Injured Soft Tissue: For an injured tongue, cheek, lips, or bleeding gums, gently rinse the mouth with salt water and apply pressure to the site with a moist strip of gauze. Next, to help ease pain and discomfort, place a cold compress against the skin near the area with the affected area.
According to the American Dental Association, you can sometimes prevent dental emergencies like these by avoiding the use of your teeth as tools or by giving up hard foods and candies.
Emergency Dentistry in Annapolis
If you, your son, or your daughter has experienced a dental emergency, contact Dr. Steckler and the emergency dentistry specialists at Annapolis Dental Care. We are here to help! We schedule early morning and evening appointments and maintain a well-supplied and well-equipped office, so we can get you in quickly and fix the problem right in our office.
If you have any questions about Emergency Dentistry in Annapolis, or if you wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Annapolis Dental Care by calling (410) 267-0766 or visit AnnapolisDentalCare.com today! You can also follow Annapolis Dental Care on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.