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- 23609 Hawthorne Blvd Suite B
- Torrance, CA 90505
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There’s nothing worse than a dental emergency. Not only is it not uncommon to experience pain or discomfort during an emergency, but you can also suffer emotional distress as well.
Your Torrance dentist wants you to know that they are always here for you if you have an emergency. However, they’d love nothing more than to help you avoid dental emergencies altogether.
Thankfully, prevention is possible in many cases, and it doesn’t have to be complicated either!
First, let’s consider why patients should take steps to avoid emergencies. Here are just a few reasons. Prevention reduces:
Prevention can also ensure improved oral health and good general health. Plus, healthy teeth and gums can contribute to the beauty of your smile.
Of course, not all emergencies are preventable. Accidents happen, to be sure. But several dental emergencies are within your power to prevent.
Yes, some dental emergencies can be life-threatening – particularly untreated dental infections.
Bacteria from an infection can travel through your bloodstream and attack weak areas of your body, including your heart and brain.
It’s important to note that it doesn’t take something as serious as a tooth abscess to result in an infection that spreads to the brain. A chronic infection like periodontal disease can cause damage to the heart, brain, and any other weak areas of the body (like joint replacements).
According to your Torrance dentist, some of the most common dental emergencies we see are:
If you experience any of these scenarios, it’s vital for your oral and general health that you contact your Torrance emergency dentist as soon as possible.
While you might not be able to prevent something like a knocked-out or broken tooth caused by an accident, there are still plenty of scenarios in which you can prevent an emergency. Here are our top five ways to reduce your risk of experiencing a dental emergency in Torrance.
The stronger your teeth and healthier your gums are, the less likely it is that you will develop gum disease or dental decay.
Periodontal disease is the leading cause of loose or missing teeth. It can also cause gum abscesses. Dental decay can contribute to broken teeth, lost fillings, tooth abscesses, and lost teeth.
To prevent these diseases, make sure to:
Good dental homecare only takes a few minutes per day, but it can help protect your oral health for a lifetime.
Millions of Americans clench and grind their teeth, particularly at night. Stress, anxiety, or anger are common causes of this issue (called bruxism). Bruxism is sometimes done during periods of deep concentration or as a coping mechanism. Clenching and grinding sometimes run in families and are also an uncommon side effect of some medications.
Bruxism puts excess pressure on the teeth, which can cause chipping and cracking. Eventually, the increased, constant pressure can lead to further breakdown, including tooth fracture. To treat a fractured tooth, your Torrance dentist will likely recommend a dental crown. However, if the crack or fracture is too advanced, you might need an extraction and dental implant.
Thankfully, you can prevent this eventuality by investing in a nightguard. Patients wear the guard during the night to protect their teeth from clenching and grinding that they can’t control. You can also wear it during the day if you’re having difficulty controlling bruxism during high-stress situations.
Knocked-out teeth are one of the most common injuries sustained by athletes. Child, teen, and adult athletes are all at risk, whether their sport of choice is football, baseball, soccer, track and field, or cycling. Wearing a custom sportguard is the best way to prevent this type of dental emergency.
The food and beverages you choose to consume can strengthen or weaken your teeth. Foods and drinks high in sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors and colors, and preservatives can contribute to the demineralization of the enamel. Weak enamel is more susceptible to dental decay.
Foods and beverages that are high in nutrients – like calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and Vitamins A, D, C, and K – can help strengthen the teeth. The stronger your teeth, the healthier they’ll be for a lifetime.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, pure water, and other nutrient-dense foods will benefit your entire body, including your teeth and gums.
Do you chew on pen caps or use your teeth to tear off a price tag or open something? If so, you are putting extra pressure on your teeth that can cause wear and breakdown. Even something as seemingly benign as using a toothpick can damage the teeth over time. Do your best to stay mindful and only use your teeth for chewing your food.
Another way to prevent dental emergencies is to visit your Torrance dentist regularly. The team at Dentist of Torrance recommends hygiene visits every six months.
During these appointments, our hygienist will clean your teeth, removing any hardened plaque (tartar/calculus) and stubborn stains. Cleanings twice a year can help prevent gum disease and even dental decay.
Your Torrance dentist will also evaluate your teeth, looking for early signs of issues that might contribute to dental emergencies down the road. They’ll look for enamel discoloration, chipped or cracked teeth, misalignment, and more.
Regular dental visits are yet another way to keep your teeth healthy and strong and reduce your risk of experiencing pain or a dental emergency.
Are you experiencing tooth, gum, or jaw pain? Contact us right away to schedule an appointment!
CALL (310) 651-7660
OR
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT NOW!
