4 Preventable Dental Emergencies

Not every dental emergency is preventable. Accidents happen all the time, and when they do, you need a dentist who can see you as soon as possible. But not every dental problem will happen out of nowhere. Many emergencies and problems are completely preventable.

Here are four preventable dental emergencies and what you can to avoid problems.

Tooth Decay

While the effects of tooth decay can seem to come out of nowhere, this is a long-standing problem that took time to create. Tooth decay is the damage to or loss of tooth enamel caused by bacteria from plaque build-up. It can happen in children or adults and create serious future dental problems.

While tooth decay can be helped, it’s also entirely preventable. Regular brushing and flossing is the first step. Cleaning your teeth prevents plaque build-up. The other step is to set and keep regular dental check-ups to make sure your teeth are healthy and clean.

Cracked or Broken Teeth

Not every broken tooth is preventable. Car accidents and trauma to your face can’t be predicted. But some cracked or broken teeth shouldn’t come as a complete surprise. If you routinely bite down on extremely hard foods, like candy, or you play high-impact sports without protective gear, you increase your chances of breaking a tooth.

The best defense against cracked or broken teeth is to be aware of what is or isn’t in your mouth. Wear mouth guards while playing high impact sports. Don’t bite down on hard candies or ice — let them dissolve in your mouth if you must eat them. And make sure to keep your regular dental appointments so your dentist can check the strength of your teeth on a regular basis.

Bleeding Gums

While most instances of bleeding gums aren’t as big of a dental emergency as a lost tooth may be, it’s definitely a sign that something is very wrong. A little bleeding when you brush your teeth warrants a conversation with your dentist. A lot of bleeding means you need to make a phone call and see an emergency dentist in Phoenix or Mesa. It’s a sign that you likely have some level of gum disease.

To prevent the early signs of gum disease from advancing to aggressive periodontitis, make an appointment to visit your dentist the moment your gums begin to bleed. To prevent bleeding gums, you need to brush regularly with a good toothbrush, floss between meals and get your teeth cleaned and checked at least every six months. If you have a history of gum disease, you may need to have your teeth cleaned more often, possibly every three months.

Abscessed Tooth

An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around the tooth or in the gum. It’s caused by bacteria and can lead to serious pain and possible tooth loss. If the bacteria spreads to the rest of your body, you can become very sick. This is a dental emergency that needs to be addressed and corrected as soon as possible.

Like other preventable problems, brushing and flossing regularly is key. You should use a toothpaste with fluoride to prevent future problems. Keep all of your regular appointments with your dentist so they can spot any issues that could lead to an abscessed tooth. Once you have an abscessed tooth, you’ll likely be prescribed antibiotics. Take the entire dose as prescribed to prevent the abscess from coming right back.

Conclusion

Maintaining good oral hygiene can prevent the vast majority of dental emergencies. Brushing and flossing twice a day or after each meal is the best way to keep your mouth healthy and keep you out of the dentist’s office for emergencies.

Don’t skip your regular check-ups either. This is when we spot problems before they become dental emergencies. When we tell you that you’re not reaching a certain part of your mouth when you brush or that you’re not flossing enough, it’s not to nag you. As your dentist, we want to keep you healthy and prevent any dental emergencies or unnecessary pain in the future.