What Should You Do In a Dental Emergency?

shutterstock_150543056We all know that accidents happen, and usually at the most inconvenient times. Maybe you hit your mouth hard against a doorway accidentally, or your son or daughter bit down too hard on a particularly tough food. Whatever the case is, the reason for you or your child’s dental injury doesn’t need to be dwelled on; what’s important is that you act quickly and calmly so as to preserve oral health. Your first step should always be to call your local dentist’s office and make an appointment for as soon as possible, but in the meantime, here are some crucial tips for what to do in certain dental emergency situations.

Knocked-Out Tooth

First, rinse the tooth gently to get rid of any stray debris. Then, gently place the tooth back into its empty socket and hold it in place until you can reach your dentist. If this isn’t possible, place the tooth in a cup or baggie of milk instead and be sure to bring it with you to your appointment so that they can determine whether reattachment is possible.

Temporary Crown Falls Out

Can you find it? If the answer is yes, then dry your natural tooth, apply a small amount of toothpaste to the temporary restoration, and gently push it back into place. Temporary adhesive can also be used, as well as dental wax. Contact your local dentist so that they can reattach the crown as soon as possible.

Broken Tooth

Rinse the cracked tooth immediately with mildly warm water. Then, hold a cold compress to the affected area; this will help reduce any swelling while you’re on the way to your local dentist.

Bad Toothache

Thoroughly rinse your mouth and the area around the affected tooth. Then, floss around the tooth to make sure that there isn’t any debris that could be causing the discomfort. If pain persists, contact your local dentist.

How Chewing Ice Can Be Detrimental To Your Smile

shutterstock_95116573Millions of people have odd habits- things that they do without even realizing it. For some, it is biting nails; for others, playing with their hair can be a habit. For many people, though, the habit of chewing ice is a function that is not thought of, but can surprisingly have serious negative effects on your smile. Though it may seem harmless, the act of chewing ice can leave literal and metaphorical impressions on your teeth as well as your gums.

One of the reasons why chewing ice is bad for your smile is because it wears down you tooth’s enamel. The pressure of having to crush the ice with your teeth makes your enamel less than sturdy. When your enamel is chipped, it increases your chance of experiencing sensitivity when you eat and drink. Another reason why chewing ice is bad for your smile is because of the repetitive hot and cold temperatures, increasing the possibility of your having a issue with your fillings. When the filling is exposed to hot or cold temperatures, it has the capability of expanding quicker than the tooth itself, shortening the life span of your filling.

Also, another reason why you should not chew ice is because it has the ability to hurt your gums in the process! Some parts of ice can be sharp, and because your gums are so sensitive, the sharp edges of the ice can puncture, scratch, and damage your gums. Because your gums are the foundation to any healthy smile, when they are compromised, the rest of your smile is, too. So the next time you feel the urge to chew on ice, make a healthy, smile-friendly choice instead, and you won’t be sorry!