A dental emergency can happen to anyone at any time. A broken tooth, severe abrasion, lost filling … there are a number of dental maladies that can occur without warning. Will you be able to handle a problem if one crops up impacting you or a family member? Prevention is important; being prepared is also crucial. Knowing who your emergency dentist is and how to reach them quickly may make a big difference in the outcome of your dental quandary.
Preventing A Dental Emergency
An accident is defined as an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally. So how can you prevent something like an accident? Maybe you can’t; however, you can take steps to mitigate the damage that might occur.
For example, active children and adults might be able to save their teeth and gums from injury if they wear a protective mouthguard when engaging in sports or hobbies that could result in a fall or incidental contact.
Maintaining healthy teeth is also an important step in preventing a dental problem. Brushing and flossing daily is a plus; and by visiting your dentist on a regular schedule, any number of dental conditions that could result in the need for your emergency dentist might be caught early and successfully treated.
For instance, a small cavity doesn’t turn into major decay; or a hairline crack in a tooth can be managed before the need for a root canal ruins your plans; any number of potential problems can be diagnosed and treated with consistent dental care.
Preparing for Dental Emergencies
Since you can’t actually plan for an emergency, being prepared for what to do in the event one occurs is the next best thing. A little knowledge can go a long way, so ask your dentist for a brief tutorial in basic care for use in a dental emergency.
Make sure you have the name and contact information for your emergency dentist readily available. Post it in a conspicuous place for caregivers (and make sure the people that care for family members have written permission available to have their charges treated).
Dental emergencies don’t always occur during regular office hours. But if one does, your dentist has likely set aside time for this purpose. Don’t delay making contact; a quick response during a dental emergency may lessen the degree of treatment required to make you whole again.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact our team at Tate Family Dentistry today.