We will tell the patient that the only way to reduce the number of times he or she comes in with an emergency situation is to have a strategy for preventative oral care. This usually involves coming in to see us at least twice per year for a teeth cleaning that allows us to identify and treat any potential problems before they become serious. Coming in for a well-visit is far more enjoyable than having to come in with a severe toothache.
Dental Office Visits
As a dentist, we can clean an individual’s teeth at least twice per year and determine if there are any dental health risks before they get worse. If we find any signs of dental health issues, we will eliminate the issue during the appointment or schedule another one to do so. When patients come in for a wellness checkup, we will also take X-rays to see if there are any issues below the gum line as well.
During these visits, we can also go over a patient’s oral hygiene routine and bring up areas that the patient needs to focus on, which ultimately will improve oral health. The patient needs to make sure to follow these steps as these practices will reduce the potential for both toothaches and dental emergencies. For both are two of the main reasons why people come in to see us, outside of regularly-scheduled visits.
Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies happen quite frequently and can range from a kid knocking out a tooth during soccer practice to severe infection. There is really no way to predict accidents that cause a dental emergency. However, regular teeth cleanings and exams will ensure that a patient’s teeth are strong and more likely to withstand the damage.
As a dentist, we provide preventative care to reduce the likelihood of a future emergency or at least minimize the damage in the event of an accident. If an individual does get in an accident and damages his or her teeth, however minor, we recommend calling our office right away so that we can then advise the individual on the course of action. We may be able to even suggest ways to reduce discomfort.
Toothaches
In a sense, toothaches do fall under the broad categorization of a dental emergency, and they are among the most frequent reasons why people seek out medical attention for their teeth. As a dentist, we always recommend contacting us as soon as a toothache develops, since there could be a number of underlying causes that could be triggering the pain. By examining it right away, we can identify the problem and treat it before the infection spreads further.