Dental emergencies can be terrifying, especially when you least expect them. But while you can not avoid them, it is necessary to get preventive dental services from facilities like North Atlanta Family Dentistry in the first place. This enables your dentist to see and treat dental problems early on before they become severe. Also, understanding common dental emergencies and their preventive measures helps you protect your dental health and minimize the risk of further damage. Read on to find out more.

What Are the Common Dental Emergencies and How to Avoid Them?

The following are among common dental emergencies anyone can encounter and how you can prevent them:

1. Chipped, Cracked, or Broken Teeth

Tooth fractures can happen due to hard impacts from grinding and clenching your teeth, accidents, or even weakened tooth enamel because of bad habits.

Here’s how you can avoid it:

• Be consistent on routine dental checkups so your dentist can determine and treat any weaknesses in your enamel early on.
• Ask your dentist about using a mouthguard when playing contact sports.
• Stop clenching or grinding your teeth due to stress.
• Avoid chewing tough objects, including pens or ice cubes, as these can cause your teeth to crack.

2. Severe Toothache

Gum disease, cavities, dental abscesses, and sinus infections usually cause toothaches. They can also be caused by a loose filling or crown. To prevent it from occurring, consider the following measures:

• Keep up with good oral hygiene practices, including brushing twice daily and flossing once daily.
• Book an appointment with your family dentist in Johns Creek at least twice annually for cleanings and checkups to find any indications of infection early on.
• Avoid using hard things like pens or pencils to remove stuck food particles between your teeth, as this could increase the risk of decay and damage tooth enamel.
• If you notice any changes in your dental health, contact a trusted dental clinic near you.

3. Lost Filling or Dental Crown

Crowns and fillings can come loose due to decay, age, a blow to the teeth, or even biting on hard items. To prevent them from becoming a dental emergency, do the following preventive measures:

• Visit your dentist twice yearly for checkups and cleanings so they can check your fillings and crowns for signs of wear and tear.
• Prevent chewing on hard objects like ice or pens, as this could cause existing fillings and crowns to become loose or dislodged.
• Brush at least two times a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss once daily, and use mouthwash to keep your gums and teeth healthy.

4. Infections

Dental infections should never be neglected, as they can become more serious. Preserving good oral hygiene, like brushing twice a day, helps prevent infection. In addition, schedule regular checkups with your dentist to help identify any infections early on and prevent them from intensifying in the long run.

Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Swelling around the affected gum area or tooth 
• Chills
• Bad breath
• Redness around the affected gum area or tooth
• Discomfort in your jaw or mouth

5. Jaw Pain

Jaw pain can be caused by clenching and grinding your teeth, an injury, a bad bite (malocclusion), or even TMJ Disorders. If not addressed for a long time, it can cause serious health concerns.

Prevention measures include:

• Schedule routine dental appointments to detect any signs of jaw pain early on.
• Seek professional help for the treatment of TMJ Disorders.
• Avoid grinding and clenching your teeth due to stress.
• Wear a nightguard if you experience bruxism (teeth grinding) while sleeping.
• Avoid biting down too hard on food, and be mindful when eating.

When you experience these situations that require emergency dental care, it’s essential to call your dentist immediately.