Things You Should Know About Dental Emergency

A dental emergency is any situation in which your dental health or appearance is at risk. Sometimes, patients aren’t sure if they need emergency care or not – that’s ok! If you’re unsure, call your emergency dentist and ask.

If you’re experiencing any of the following:

• Pain that won’t stop
• Broken tooth
• Lost filling or crown
• Bleeding after dental treatment
• Object caught in your teeth
• Painful swelling
• Extreme or sudden sensitivity
• Persistent jaw pain
• Knocked out tooth

When Should You See A Dental Emergency Dentist?

If you experience a dental injury, you should immediately seek professional care. Even if your injury seems minor, you should still visit the emergency room or urgent care for assessment. In some cases, such as a knocked-out tooth, you’ll need to see an emergency dentist immediately.

How To Prevent A Dental Emergency?

• Brush and floss your teeth

After each meal, you should brush your teeth. Flossing is especially important because it removes plaque and food particles from between teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. This helps to prevent tooth and gum decay.

While flossing, you should ensure you are gently curving the floss around each tooth. Don’t snap it against your gum line, as this can damage your gums.

• See your dentist for regular checkups

Seeing your dentist for a routine checkup every six months is the most effective way to avoid dental emergencies. Your dentist in Livermore, CA will clean your teeth and check for decay, cavities, and other issues that may need to be treated in order to prevent problems or pain.

• Avoid chewing on ice or very hard candy

Avoid chewing on ice and hard candy. When chewing on ice, there is a chance of cracking a tooth. Hard candy can cause a tooth to chip or break. Biting on hard candy can also wear down your teeth.

• Wear a mouthguard when playing sports

Whether you’re playing football, basketball, soccer, hockey, rugby, or other contact sports, it’s important to wear a sports mouthguard. These appliances protect your teeth during physical activity and can prevent various injuries, including broken teeth, cracked teeth, and tooth loss.

• Wear custom-fitted nightguards for tooth grinding (bruxism)

Bruxism is a condition in which a person grinds his or her teeth. It can occur during the day or at night. A person with bruxism may feel a shooting pain in his or her jaw while grinding. Some people also wake up with headaches caused by clenching their teeth. Bruxism can cause tooth damage. Grinding teeth puts pressure on the jaw, which can damage it over time. Teeth grinding can also cause teeth to become loose, fall out, or crack. To prevent damage to your teeth, it’s important to wear a nightguard while you sleep. A custom-fitted nightguard will be more comfortable than a store-bought one.

Alta Vista Dental provides the best dental services in Livermore, CA, with the expertise of experienced dentists. Call 925-292-1459 and book your appointment to learn more ways to take care of your oral and dental health.