Do you anticipate needing emergency dentistry services? Most people don't. It is a common misconception that dental emergencies don't happen very regularly, however, we encounter the all of the time. In general, dentist's offices are only open during restricted business hours. Emergencies tend to happen 24/7 so this doesn't work well when a tooth suddenly cracks or becomes uncomfortable. We understand that you can't plan for the unexpected and offer extended hours in order to meet all of our patient's needs.
Emergencies in children.
Dental emergencies are incredibly common among children. According to a report published by the American Family Physician, over 30 percent of five-year-olds have injured at least one primary tooth. Additionally, 25 percent of twelve-year-olds have injured at least one permanent tooth. This may include tooth loss, fractures, displacement of the tooth, or a tooth being displaced into the bone. Children are at a particular risk for several reasons including their daily activities. They tend to run around, play sports, swing on the monkey bars, play in PE, etc. and all of these activities are aggressive, leading to potential injuries. It is important for children to get this exercise so, as a dentist, we recommend taking precautionary measures for your child or teen.
While we provide emergency dentistry services, if you can take steps to protect teeth that is even better. According to the American Dental Association, children aren't the only ones at risk for injuring a tooth while playing sports. They reported that sports are the number one reason for adults injuring teeth on an annual basis. With that in mind, we recommend that all of our patients, regardless of age, wear a mouth guard while playing or practicing. This is commonly used in football and hockey but not in sports like basketball. All sports can lead to a tooth injury so even if other players aren't wearing one, use a mouth guard to keep your pearly whites intact.
You can also help to protect your teeth by keeping them healthy. The healthier your teeth are, the stronger they will be. We suggest having your teeth cleaned at least twice a year so that we can remove the plaque and bacteria that is trapped in between your teeth and can lead to cavities or gum disease. This single step can prevent toothaches and injury. For children and teens, we also recommend having an annual fluoride treatment to strengthen teeth that much further. Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste can also help since the more you can strengthen your teeth – the better prepared they will be to resist damage.
If, however, your tooth is suddenly injured, call our office for emergency dentistry services right away. Time is of the essence in ensuring that the damage doesn't spread and create further issues. A chipped or cracked tooth, for example, is more susceptible to becoming infected which could create a need for a root canal and a restoration. This can be avoided if you seek immediate care.
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