Dental emergencies are stressful. No one wants to experience one, but if you get treatment quickly, you can avoid more serious, long-term issues. At our office, we’re used to treating all kinds of dental emergencies. What are the most common problems we see? And what can you do to prevent them in the first place?
Bleeding Gums
If you notice your gums bleed when you brush or floss, it’s most likely because of gum disease. Gum disease is a very common condition, but shouldn’t be ignored. If it gets too advanced, it can cause infection and tooth loss. Call us as soon as you notice bleeding gums so we can start a treatment plan.
A good and consistent oral hygiene routine is the best way to prevent gum disease. When you brush, make sure to brush along your gum line. Floss once a day and use a new part of the floss for each tooth.
Broken, Chipped, or Knocked-Out Teeth
Every tooth is vulnerable to chips and cracks. Teeth are often damaged by biting down on something hard like a nut or a piece of ice, but they can break for seemingly random reasons, too. If your tooth falls out, skip the emergency room and get to an emergency dentist as quickly as possible. Bring the tooth with you in a cup of milk or your saliva.
Chewing carefully helps protect your teeth and restorations like dentures or crowns. We don’t recommend chewing ice at all or chewing on hard, non-food objects like pencils. When you’re playing sports, always wear a mouthguard.
Tooth Infections
When bacteria get inside your tooth – which often happens because of decay – it can cause an infection. A pocket of pus forms, creating a dental abscess. Infections are very painful. If an infection spreads, it can be life-threatening. A root canal is a common treatment as it lets us remove the infection and save the tooth.
Tooth infections are most often caused by poor oral hygiene. To prevent them, maintain great oral hygiene at home and come to our office at least twice a year for cleanings and exams.
Emergency Dental Care at Overland Park Family Dental
If you’re experiencing pain, bleeding, or damage in your mouth, please call us right away. Depending on your symptoms, we may ask you to come in right away. We always have room in our schedule for same-day emergency visits with Dr. Gallagher. If you have questions about dental emergencies, please contact our Overland Park office today!