Dental emergencies can happen when you least expect them—whether it’s a sudden and severe toothache, a broken or knocked-out tooth, or another type of accident that leaves you in discomfort. However, when you’re in pain or worried about your dental health, it helps to know how to handle these situations, as well as what will happen when you arrive at your dentist’s office for an emergency appointment! Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect, along with some useful tips for preventing dental disasters.
What to Expect During Your Emergency Dental Visit
When you arrive, the dental team’s topmost priority is your comfort and safety. You’ll typically be seen as quickly as possible, since many emergency dentists have time built into their schedules for addressing these situations. They’ll ask you about your symptoms, how the emergency happened, and whether you have any underlying conditions that may affect treatment.
Emergency visits often start with managing pain, so rest assured, your dentist will work quickly to get your smile pain-free. Your dentist will also perform an examination, which may include X-rays and 3D imaging to see what’s happening below the surface and help pinpoint the problem.
Once the cause has been identified, you’ll be walked through your treatment options. These can include immediate treatments, like repairing a broken tooth or saving a tooth that was recently knocked out. It might also require a referral to a specialist if the emergency requires advanced care, but in most cases, your emergency dentist should be able to help. After things have been managed, you’ll also be given aftercare instructions, and you and your dentist can specifically discuss ways of preventing future emergencies.
Preventing Dental Emergencies Is a Wise Idea
While it’s impossible to anticipate when a dental emergency might strike, in addition to knowing what to expect during your emergency visit, it’s also worthwhile knowing some best practices for preventing dental emergencies in the first place. Consider these useful tips:
- Maintain excellent oral hygiene by brushing and flossing every day, since a healthy mouth is less likely to encounter issues.
- Wear a mouthguard if you play contact sports. If you grind your teeth, consider asking your dentist about a nightguard for bruxism.
- Don’t use your teeth as tools to open packaging or hold objects, and refrain from other bad oral habits that could harm your dental health, like nail biting, chewing on ice cubes, or smoking.
- Eat a balanced diet that is limited in sugary and starchy foods, which contribute to tooth decay. Also strive to drink plenty of water in favor of sugary sodas, coffees, energy drinks, and so on.
A dental emergency can feel overwhelming, but visiting your dentist means you’re in the hands of professionals who can ease your pain and get your smile back on track!
About the Practice
Our team here at Holden Dental Care has served the needs of patients and families in Holden and the surrounding area for several years under the leadership of Dr. Sandra Crowley-Le. We offer a wide variety of services, including same-day emergency dentistry for those with urgent needs. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up an appointment for yourself or a loved one, please contact us online or by phone for more information. Telephone: (508) 829-2642.