3 Major Dental Emergencies You Shouldn't Ignore
Posted on 6/29/2022 by Neil Starr DDS PC |
Dental emergencies can be tempting to try to brush off. However, there are some you absolutely should not wait to seek treatment for.
Putting these off could have disastrous, potentially fatal results.
Broken Prosthetics
Dental implants can be damaged through wear and tear or when too much pressure is applied to the screw, holding the implant in place before it’s able to fuse with the jaw bone.
Signs of a broken prosthetic include:
Loose feeling implants
Awkward feeling implants
Visible damage to the implants
To treat a broken prosthetic implant, your dentist will repair the specific spot that’s failing, or if need be, they will extract the entire implant and replace it with a new one. In more severe cases, a bone graft will be required to reinforce the integrity of the jaw bone.
Tooth Injury
Your teeth can be injured in a number of accidental ways: playing sports, eating, or even grinding your teeth as you sleep can result in a cracked or broken tooth. If the tooth damage goes beyond a simple chip, it’s likely you’ll need professional care in order to repair it. To fix an injured tooth, your dentist will either reattach the broken piece, apply a tooth-colored filling, or place a crown.
Dental Infection
Infections are one of the most serious dental emergencies; they can occur when bacteria finds its way into the soft tissue within your tooth and begins to spread. Although they can seem innocuous at first, in my years of experience, I have seen many dental infections turn deadly quickly. If left untreated, dental infections can spread to other areas of the body.
Symptoms of a dental infection include:
Tooth sensitivity
Chronic bad breath
Loose teeth
Red gums or open sores on gums
Bitter taste in the mouth
Dental infections should be treated by a professional who will either prescribe medication, perform a root canal, or drain the abscess.
Prevention
Although accidents happen, there are steps you can take to avoid preventable dental issues, including:
Brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time.
Flossing in between your teeth every day.
Visiting your dentist regularly for checkups and cleaning appointments.
Avoiding particularly hard candies or foods that could cause cracking, chipping, or other dental distress.
Let Neil L. Starr, DDS. Help
If you’re experiencing any of these dental emergencies, don’t ignore them until they turn into something even more serious. Instead, get expert care by making an appointment with Neil L. Starr, DDS. At our practice, your care is our top priority; that’s why we’re constantly searching for the most innovative techniques to make our procedures as effective and painless as possible. Additionally, we’re taking every possible precaution to keep our patients and staff safe from COVID-19 so that you can feel totally at ease in our office. We serve Washington D.C. and surrounding areas, from Potomac to Rockville, McLean, Fairfax City, Arlington City, and Loudoun County.
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