Did you chip a tooth while anxiously chewing your nails in quarantine? Have you been stuck inside with a toothache or sensitive teeth? There are plenty of dental emergencies that may have popped up while you practiced social distancing over the past several weeks. Thankfully, your Seaport District emergency dentist has reopened and is ready to help you overcome any issues you may be facing. Read on to find out how to handle the most common dental emergencies post-quarantine.
Lost or Broken Filling
Although a filling or dental crown that is damaged or missing may cause occasional moments of sharp discomfort, most people don’t think they qualify as an emergency. However, the exposed inner layers of the tooth could easily become damaged or infected if the dental work is not repaired right away. Until you can see your dentist, try covering the area with a piece of wet, sugarless gum.
Chipped or Cracked Tooth
Like a damaged filling, a cracked or chipped tooth may initially feel sensitive, but can quickly lead to larger issues if left untreated. It’s essential that you avoid chewing with that tooth and rinse your mouth out regularly. If the damage is minimal, your dentist may be able to use a filling or composite resin to restore your tooth. However, if the damage is more severe, they may place a dental crown over it to hold the pieces together and prevent infection.
Sensitive Teeth
Tooth sensitivity is a common issue that can unfortunately be cause by many factors. Sometimes, it may simply be the result of over-aggressive brushing, a highly acidic diet, or using too many teeth whitening products. Other times however, it may indicate a more serious issue like bruxism or gum disease. To treat it properly, your dentist will first inspect your mouth to identify the root cause of your tooth sensitivity. They may suggest desensitizing toothpastes or fluoridated mouthwashes to help ease your discomfort.
Long-Lasting Toothache
If you’ve been dealing with tooth pain that seems to be getting worse over time, you should see your dentist right away. Your toothache may be caused by bacteria attacking the tooth’s pulp, roots, or nerve. This type of infection will not go away on its own, and it may spread to the surrounding teeth if not treated quickly. Thankfully, your Seaport District dentist has the tools and training needed to quickly relieve your pain and thoroughly clean out the bacteria.
Loose Permanent tooth
A permanent tooth may feel loose if the connective tissues that hold it in place are damaged by an injury or bacteria. This issue will not resolve itself and your tooth needs to be stabilized by a dental professional as soon as possible to prevent it from becoming completely dislodged. If your permanent tooth does fall out, you need to see your emergency dentist within 30 minutes for the best chances of successful reattachment.
While we should always do our best to keep our smiles healthy and intact, not all dental emergencies can be avoided. Now that your Seaport District emergency dentist is open, they can help you overcome any issue as quickly as possible.
About the Practice
If you or a loved one needs urgent dental care, don’t hesitate to contact Devonshire Dental Associates in Boston, MA. Our highly experienced dentists have been monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic carefully and adjusting their infection control protocols accordingly. To ensure their patients are as safe as possible when they come in for care, they have decided to add 17 extra precautions alongside their routine ambitious sanitation standards. If you’d like to learn more about their Commitment to Safety, feel free to reach them via their website or at (617) 350-7474.