Situations That Constitute Dental Emergencies

Dentist Blog

It is not uncommon to find some people ignoring oral pain. This could be because they are under the assumption that it will eventually go away on its own, or maybe they are simply anxious about paying a visit to the dentist. Although there may be some situations where you may not have to seek medical attention, such as a burnt palate from hot food or beverages, there are other situations that need to be treated as dental emergencies. The following are some of the situations that would constitute a dental emergency and you should seek immediate care from a dental professional.

A chipped or cracked tooth

Although teeth are innately strong, this does not make them immune to chips and fractures. You can develop a chip or a crack in your tooth for a variety of reasons ranging from excessive force when biting down, a developing cavity or high impact to your mouth. Some tooth chips or cracks may not be painful from the get-go and this is why you will find some individuals overlooking dental care. However, if the pulp in your tooth starts being exposed over time, it could lead to an array of dental problems such as bacterial infections. It is in your best interests to seek emergency dental care so that the dentist can determine whether measures should be taken to restore the tooth.

A knocked out tooth

A misconception that some people have about teeth that have been dislodged or knocked completely out is that they are not salvageable. The fact is the success rate of re-implanting your tooth will depend on how fast you seek emergency dental care. If the dentist can assess the tooth immediately, the nerves in your gums may still be alive and the tooth can be saved. In the event that the nerve endings have already died, then the dentist can seek alternative restorative measures such as dental implants or dental bridges. It should be noted that neglecting a knocked out tooth can lead to undue complications such as interference with your bite, speech problems and more.

A missing crown or filling

Some individuals may not take a missing crown or a filling as a dental emergency, especially if they are not in any severe pain. However, these crowns and fillings function to protect the tooth they were installed on. Staying without a filling could lead into the development of a new cavity in the affected tooth. A missing crown, on the other hand, could cause further wear and tear on the affected tooth. In both cases, the lack of the protective cover will make your tooth prone to premature deterioration and could also accelerate the sensitivity of the tooth. It would be prudent to seek emergency dental care to have these devices replaced.

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9 September 2016

Dental Health: Not To Be Taken For Granted

As a retired dentist, I work with charities which visit developing countries and educate children about dental care. It gives me great satisfaction to revisit these communities and see how proud the children are of their efforts. I am acutely aware that good dental hygiene can help prevent a range of serious conditions when these children become older. I started this blog because it greatly distresses me that many people in Australia do not seem to care for their teeth as much as children in these poor communities. This is happening despite ready access to items like toothbrushes and toothpaste which are luxuries in the places I visit. It is my hope that this blog encourages you not to take dental health for granted. My greatest wish is that you can be as inspired as the children I see in my charity work. Please read on and enjoy.