You only have one set of adult teeth, and they need to last until you are 80, 90, or beyond. The actions you take towards your teeth today will either benefit you or harm you in the future. Of course, good dental care starts with seeing a dentist regularly. You should go in for cleanings and checkups, and any other time you think something might be amiss with your teeth. Education is important when it comes to any aspect of your health, so start reading the articles on this website to educate yourself about dentists and dental care. We promise that when you're 80 and you still have your teeth, you won't regret the time spent.
The Tooth of the Matter: A Dental Blog
It's Not Worth The Wait: Why You Shouldn't Postpone Emergency Dental Care
Sofia Curtis
If you've suffered a dental emergency, you may think it's safe to wait a few days for treatment. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. What may seem like a minor problem can escalate quite quickly, especially where dental issues are concerned. Before you postpone your emergency dental care, here are four reasons why you shouldn't.
Alleviate Pain
If your dental problem is causing you pain, don't wait until normal business hours to call the dentist. Emergency dental care is always essential when pain is involved, especially when the pain isn't controlled by do-it-yourself methods such as over-the-counter pain medications or salt water. As soon as your dental emergency escalates to pain, you need to seek emergency dental care.
Prevent Infections
If you've developed an abscess on any of your teeth, you need to seek emergency dental care as soon as possible. Abscesses can cause a wide variety of problems, including increased pain. Dental abscesses are a sign that you've developed an infection in your tooth. If the abscess ruptures, the infection could spread to other areas of your body. To prevent the spread of dental infections, seek emergency dental care at the first sign of an abscess.
Repair Damaged Teeth
If you've chipped a tooth, and you've decided to wait until normal business hours to contact your dentist, you need to rethink that decision. The longer you leave your tooth exposed, the more at risk you are for additional dental problems. In fact, while you're waiting for dental repairs, decay could be setting in. Unfortunately, the more damaged your tooth is, the more difficult it will be to repair. To ensure proper repairs, be sure to seek immediate emergency dental care as soon as you damage a tooth.
Restore Lost Teeth
Finally, if an accident has caused the loss of one or more of your teeth, you've got to get to an emergency dentist immediately. You might not realize this but with immediate attention dentists can often restore a lost tooth, which means you won't need to suffer from permanent loss. However, it is important that you prepare your tooth properly for transport. Carefully rinse the tooth to remove blood or dirt and place it in a small container of milk. If you don't have access to milk, place the clean tooth between your gums and the side of your mouth. The saliva will protect your tooth until you can get to the dentist.
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