Search, “Is a broken tooth an emergency?” on Google and you’ll get over a million results. Google is great, but this search engine superstar is not a dentist.
25% of all children experience dental trauma. And 33% of adults will experience accidental damage to their permanent teeth.
It’s important to be prepared if and when a mouth mishap happens. Learn what could happen if you don’t act fast after one of these dental disasters:
Chipped Tooth
“Chipped teeth” is the most common dental injury, according to the American Association of Endodontists. While it may not seem like a big deal at first, a chipped tooth will start to hurt more over time. This can include increased sensitivity to hot and cold, as well as difficulty biting. Even slight pain can signal a damaged nerve or blood vessel. If you don’t act fast, a chipped tooth can take on the form of an abscessed tooth.
Abscessed Tooth
This painful infection can occur either between your tooth and gum line or at the tip of root of the tooth deep inside the bone. Stemming from injury or poor dental health, an abscessed tooth typically feels like a toothache. See your dentist immediately for any toothache or swelling of the gums, as these can become serious infections if not treated quickly.
Kids’ Teeth Trauma
Even if they have their permanent pearly whites, kids’ teeth aren’t fully developed, making them more susceptible to root damage. The longer you wait to take your child to a professional after a dental disaster, the greater the risk of them needing a root canal.
Regular checkups are essential to catching what could be catastrophic. Leave the perils of your pearly whites to the professionals. Learn what to do during a dental emergency.