Braces as an adult? No way. At least, that was what I thought when my dentist told me that I was going to have to see an orthodontist about my crooked teeth. But my teeth were so misaligned that they were causing me pain when I chewed, so I decided to at least look into it. Turns out braces today are nothing like the ones my friends had when I was a kid. Mine were practically invisible, and I didn't need to wear them that long. I started this blog to encourage other people like me who are nervous about the prospect of wearing braces as an adult. My straight smile is so worth the trips to the orthodontist, and wearing braces was nowhere near as bad as I thought. Read on to find out more about how you can straighten your smile.
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If you're having a new dental issue, you may be wondering if it requires immediate care. How do you know what's an emergency and what can wait for an appointment? Here are issues that require emergency dental care:
1. Filling or crown falls out
If you have a filling or a crown that falls out you will know almost immediately. You will experience sensitivity to temperature and the tooth will throb when you bite or clench your jaws. If it's a filling you will also feel a hole where it used to be. Use dental cement to reattach the crown or filling until you can see the dentist. If you can't find the filling or crown, dental cement can seal the hole to prevent infection. Dental cement is only a temporary fix to buy you enough time to see the dentist.
2. Cracked or fractured tooth
If you chip, crack, or fracture your tooth you need to see a dentist immediately. Not only is the pain excruciating but the injury can leave your tooth vulnerable to an infection called an abscess. A dental abscess causes pain and inflammation. If left untreated it leads to tissue death and the infection can even spread to the bloodstream. If you have a cracked or broken tooth take a pain reliever and retrieve any broken pieces. Get to the dentist right away. If the injury is severe you can also go to the emergency room.
3. Severe toothache
Broken or fractured teeth aren't the only cause of a dental abscess. An abscess can also occur from decay and cavities. An abscess is the most common cause of a severe toothache. If you're experiencing continuous, throbbing pain see a dentist right away. If you have a fever or swelling of the glands or tissue of the jaw, go to the emergency room or an urgent care. Do not wait for the pain to go away as the infection can damage nerves.
4. Object stuck between teeth
If you have a hard piece of food or object stuck between your teeth this can be an emergency. The foreign object can displace teeth or lead to an infection. Try to remove the object with floss. Do not use sharp instruments to try to dislodge the object. Gargle with warm salt water to help move the object. If the object or food piece doesn't come out or seems stuck, seek a dentist right away. Objects can become stuck in the gum under a tooth or become lodged in the tooth itself.
These are four dental emergencies that you should seek treatment for right away. Contact an emergency dentist (such as one from Children's Dentistry of Lake County) if you're experiencing any of these issues.
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