The last thing anyone wants to deal with is a dental injury as they can be painful and impact your daily life. Dental injuries can impact your ability to eat and drink, speak, and even result in headaches and pain. If you have a dental injury, you’ll likely need to head to the dentist. Not all dental injuries are created equal, so you may be able to wait a few days for an appointment. Or you may need to get in right away. Below you will find the most common causes of dental injuries and how to address the issue.
Most Common Causes of Dental Injuries
Trauma:
Trauma to the face or mouth area can cause fractures. Things like car accidents, sports, and falls can all cause injury to your teeth. Minor tooth fractures usually involve chipping of the enamel only, which is easily treatable. However, a deeper tooth fracture can involve both the enamel and dentin, which can be more problematic. Your enamel is your tooth’s first layer of defense and dentin is the second layer. Injuries that fracture the enamel, dentin, and pulp tissue are the most serious and needed to be treated as soon as possible.
Biting and Chewing Objects:
Many people have the habit of biting down or chewing on things like pencils, ice cubes, hard candies, and even using their teeth to open up items. This can also lead to tooth fractures, just like trauma. It’s advisable to refrain from biting down or chewing hard objects, especially if they are not food, because injury can occur in the form of a fractured or chipped tooth.
Wear and Tear:
The normal wear and tear that your teeth endure daily can cause issues. For example, if you have poor oral hygiene habits and eat many sugary foods, you can get cavities. Cavities can lead to infection, gum disease, and possible damage to the pulp in your teeth. This can cause more long-term issues if left untreated.
Emergency Dentist Encino
Dental emergencies can happen to anyone. The difficulty with dental injuries is knowing whether you should wait of visit the dentist right away. The best course of action is to call an emergency dentist right away to see what they think based on your symptoms. However, below are some clear indicators that you should head to an emergency dentist right away.
- Severe pain combined with bleeding
- Tooth loss or a large chip
- Teeth feeling loose
- Swelling in your gums, face, or neck
If you experience any of the symptoms above, head to an emergency dentist right away. There are a number of injuries that need immediate treatment to save your tooth. Also, some injuries may be life-threatening, so it’s always better to be safe and get immediate treatment.
Reducing the Impact of Dental Emergencies
Dental accidents can happen to anyone, but you can take preventative steps to strengthen your teeth in the case of a dental emergency. Keeping your teeth healthy is not only good for your dental health but your overall health. Brush at least twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste with fluoride. Floss at least once a day and use mouthwash after meals and snacks if you can’t brush. Lastly, you should be visiting the dentist at least every six months. Talk with a dentist as you may need to visit more often, depending on your unique dental needs.
Cosmetic Dentist Encino
Dr. Marian Yassa from Encino Family Dental is a well-known and highly experienced dentist. The team at Encino Family Dental is experienced in emergency dentistry, and they are equipped to handle any of your emergency dental needs. Dr. Marian Yassa has worked with numerous patients with a wide variety of dental issues, including general and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Yassa and her team at Encino Family Dental are eager to help with any of your dental issues, so you leave their office looking and feeling better. Contact the office for an appointment today!
