Dental Emergency Prevention Tips

Dental Emergency Prevention Tips

Dental Emergency Prevention Tips

Dental Emergency Prevention Tips: What You Need to Know

Dental emergencies can happen at any time, and they can often be quite unexpected. Whether it’s a sudden toothache, a cracked tooth, or a lost filling, dental emergencies can be painful, and inconvenient. If left untreated, they can often lead to more serious dental problems. That’s why it’s important to take preventative measures to minimize your risk of experiencing a dental emergency. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips on how to prevent dental emergencies, so you can protect your teeth and stay healthy.

Practice good oral hygiene

One of the simplest ways to prevent dental emergencies is to practice good oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing regularly can help remove the harmful bacteria and plaque that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, and use an antiseptic mouthwash to keep your mouth clean and healthy.

Wear a mouthguard during sports activities

If you participate in sports or other physical activities that pose a risk of dental injury, be sure to wear a properly fitting mouthguard. These devices can help protect your teeth and prevent them from being chipped, cracked, or knocked out during contact sports. Even non-contact sports, such as surfing or skateboarding, can result in dental injuries. It’s important to take the necessary precautions to prevent dental injuries from happening. 

Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods

Hard, crunchy, or sticky foods can cause damage to your teeth, especially if they’re already weakened or compromised. Avoid eating hard candies, popcorn kernels, ice cubes, and other similar foods that can chip, crack, or break your teeth. Instead, opt for softer, easier-to-chew foods like yogurt, soups, and cooked vegetables.

Schedule regular dental check-ups

Regular dental check-ups are essential for maintaining good oral health and detecting problems before they escalate into more serious dental emergencies. Your dentist can assess the condition of your teeth and gums, identify potential problems, and recommend preventive measures to keep your teeth and gums healthy. In addition, routine cleanings can remove plaque and tartar that can build up over time.

Keep dental emergency supplies on hand

Despite your best efforts to prevent dental emergencies, accidents can still happen. That’s why it’s important to be prepared by keeping a dental emergency kit on hand. This kit should include gauze, a small container with a lid, over-the-counter pain relievers, and the contact information for your dentist. If a dental emergency does occur, you’ll be able to take immediate action and get the help you need.

In conclusion, dental emergencies can be a real pain, but they don’t have to be inevitable. By following these prevention tips, you can minimize your risk of experiencing a dental emergency and protect your overall oral health. Of course, it’s always a good idea to have a trusted and experienced dentist on hand, who you can rely on in case of an emergency. If you’re in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and you’re looking for a dentist you can trust, contact us at Kissing Camels Family Dentistry. Our team will be happy to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy and happy for years to come.

Common Dental Emergencies During Holiday Time

Emergency Dentist Near Me

Common Dental Emergencies During Holiday Time

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and celebrating. They are not a time for dental emergencies… but unfortunately, dental emergencies in Colorado Springs CO don’t take a holiday. If you are unlucky enough to experience a dental emergency this holiday season, don’t despair. We’re here to help.

Signs That You May Need Emergency Dental Care

There are a few signs that may indicate that you need to seek emergency dental care:

-Persistent tooth pain that cannot be alleviated with over-the-counter pain medication
-Severe swelling in the mouth or face
-Bleeding from the gums that does not stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure is applied
-A cracked or fractured tooth
-A lost tooth (adult teeth only)

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please call our office right away so we can schedule you an appointment.

What To Do Until You Can See The Dentist Near You

If you have a cracked or fractured tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the outside of your face to reduce swelling. If there is bleeding, apply direct pressure with a gauze or a clean cloth until it stops. Do NOT attempt to brush or floss the area; this could further damage the tooth. If you have lost an adult tooth, try to insert it back into the socket; if that is not possible, place it in milk or saline solution and bring it with you to your appointment. And finally, if you are experiencing severe pain, take ibuprofen as directed on the package label.

Contact Us Today!

No one wants to experience a dental emergency during the holidays, but unfortunately, they do happen. If you find yourself in need of emergency dental care this holiday season, don’t panic—just give us a call. We’re here to help you through whatever dental issue you may be facing so you can get back to enjoying the holiday’s pain-free!

How to Fix a Cracked Tooth

How to Fix a Cracked Tooth - Dr. Boals

How to Fix a Cracked Tooth

Teeth are quite sturdy, and if you take extra good care of them, they can last an entire lifetime. However, they aren’t indestructible, and like all bones, can sustain damage from physical trauma. Whether it’s from biting down on something particularly hard or from a fall, the teeth can and will sustain some level of damage if enough force is applied. Since the teeth are crucial to eating and speaking, cracked teeth can greatly impact your quality of life. 

Dr. Boals, a dentist in Colorado Springs, CO, explains that the teeth are made up of three separate layers. The outer, hardened layer is called the enamel, and it protects the sensitive inner parts of the tooth. A small crack will affect the enamel, but you may not experience sensitivity to sweet foods and temperature. The second layer is the dentin, and once the crack reaches this region, you will definitely experience some sensitivity to temperature and sweet foods. If you don’t visit a dentist in Colorado Springs in time, the crack will grow down to the pulp, the innermost layer of the teeth that houses nerves and blood vessels.  

How Do I Know I Have a Cracked Tooth?

General wear and tear or an injury can result in a cracked tooth, but the crack isn’t always visible. Some cracks are minute and may not require any treatment, but the more extensive cracks that do require some type of dental treatment may result in the following symptoms:

  • Pain that comes and goes when you eat, especially while chewing or biting.
  • Swollen gums around the cracked tooth.
  • Teeth suddenly become sensitive to sweet, hot, or cold foods.
  • Discomfort around the gums and teeth that is hard to pinpoint. 

Dr. Beth Herko, a dentist in New Providence, NJ, says that you may also have a cracked tooth if you bite down too hard on a piece of food, grind your teeth excessively, suffer an injury to your mouth, or have a large existing filling which can weaken the remaining tooth structure. A sudden change in temperature may also result in a cracked tooth. If you drink something hot, let’s say tea, and take a sip of cold water right afterward, the junction between the dentin and the enamel experiences thermal stress which can result in crack formation.

When Should I See My Colorado Springs Dentist?

Some cracks, especially at the front teeth, can be easy to spot and identify. However, it may be a little harder to diagnose a crack in your molars. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above, even if you can’t pinpoint exactly which tooth is causing it, you should seek emergency dental care at Kissing Camels Family Dentistry. Remember, pain is your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t right, so don’t ignore it.

Dr. Boals, the best dentist in Colorado Springs CO, encourages you to schedule an appointment at Kissing Camels Family Dentistry if you suspect you have a cracked tooth. He offers some home remedies he says will keep you comfortable until you can see a dentist:

  • Use ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or any other over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce the pain.
  • Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to keep it clean and reduce the risk of infection.
  • Eat softer foods and avoid biting down on the damaged tooth (if you know which one it is).
  • If there is swelling, you can use a cold compress to bring it down. Apply it to your cheek for ten minutes at a time until the swelling goes down.
  • You can also treat the tooth with Dentemp, a product sold at most pharmacies and drug stores. It is designed to temporarily treat chipped teeth until you can see a restorative dentist in Colorado Springs.

Treatment for Cracked Teeth

Most of these self-care tips are only stop-gap measures, and you should see your dentist as soon as you can. The longer it goes untreated, the more difficult it will be for Dr. Boals to save the tooth. Left untreated, an infection may occur, causing increased pain, swelling of the gums, increased sensitivity to temperature and sweet foods, and sore neck glands.

Once your Colorado Springs dentist identifies the cracked tooth and the extent of the damage, they will decide on the most suitable treatment:

  • Fillings are the preferred treatment for small cracks and chips of the enamel. If the cracked tooth is at the front of the mouth, your dentist in Colorado Springs will bond a resin to your tooth, shape it and harden it using UV light.
  • Dental veneers. Thin, custom made tooth-colored resin composite material or porcelain that is applied over the cracked surface of an existing tooth.
  • Dental crowns. If the damage to your tooth is substantial, your dentist may file down the remaining part of the tooth and cover it with a cap or crown designed to protect the tooth, preserve its function and improve aesthetic appearance. 

Cracked and chipped teeth are quite treatable, but if left unchecked, it can lead to tooth loss. While there are things you can do to alleviate any pain, the best thing you could do for your teeth is to visit Kissing Camels Family Dentistry for an evaluation by Dr. Boals. Give us a call today and let our experienced professionals take care of you!