If you have cracked, chipped, or broken a tooth, then you need help with urgent care dentistry. We can address common dental emergencies, which not only improves your appearance, but prevents tooth decay. In today’s blog, Dr. Robert M. Browne talks about how dental emergencies can lead to tooth decay, and how we help patients in Prairie Village, KS.
Dental Emergencies and Tooth Decay
When you sustain an injury to your teeth from a sports accident, or even because you bite down on something hard, like ice or a popcorn kernel, you have a dental emergency that needs attention. When the smallest chip could potentially expose the sensitive inner tissues to bacteria, which then allows tooth decay and eventually, dental infection, to flourish. If a tooth is cracked, this could also lead to cavities or infection. In fact, if you sustain an injury and no damage is visible, consider an appointment to make sure a fracture is not present, as these can be practically invisible to the naked eye.
Seeing Our Team
When you injure your tooth, do not panic! Instead, see if you can recover any pieces to bring with you. If you cannot, don’t worry, we can still repair your tooth with emergency dentistry. In the meantime, rinse with warm water and use cloth or gauze to control the bleeding. To avoid facial swelling, apply a cold compress to the side of your face. If your injury hurts, then take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Call our team right away. If we are open, then we will try to see you same-day for treatment. If not, then leave a message and a team member will call back to set up an appointment as soon as possible.
Our team can often repair minor injuries with a bonding procedure in only one sitting. We also have custom crowns for more severe injuries. Both options provide results that look natural and blend with your smile.
Protecting Your Smile from Injury and Decay
You can also take steps to protect your smile from injury and limit your risk of needing urgent care dentistry. For example, be sure you wear a mouthguard when you play sports. You can purchase a boil-and-cite one, or talk to our team about a custom-made option that provides better protection and has the ability to last longer. Also, be sure you take steps to avoid tooth decay that can weaken a tooth, brushing and flossing daily. Avoid chewing on ice and other hard objects, like pencils, to avoid injury risk.
Schedule an Appointment and Avoid Cavities with Help From Dr. Browne, DDS
To repair teeth and prevent major complications, we can offer emergency dentistry. If you have a situation that needs urgent care dentistry, then call Dr. Robert M Browne, DDS in Prairie Village, KS at (913) 901-8585 today. We can restore your smile!