emergency dental care

How to Avoid a Dental Emergency

In the United States, emergency dental care services lead to 34 million lost school hours and $45 billion of lost productivity each year, according to the CDC. There are a few effective ways to minimize the likelihood of needed emergency dental care. Let’s take a closer look at a few of them.

Stay Up to Date with Your Checkups

The best way to avoid having to seek emergency treatment is to stay up to date on your regular checkups. This allows your dentist to spot any potential issues early. Like most medical issues, it’s easier to correct dental problems when they’re identified right away. Avoiding going to the dentist can lead to significant dental issues down the road. It’s advisable to visit the dentist every six months for a cleaning and a comprehensive dental checkup. It’s better to stay current with your dental visits than to experience a dental emergency.

Seek Treatment Right Away if Something Goes Wrong

If you notice something wrong with your teeth, schedule a dental appointment right away. This can help prevent the problem from getting worse. Many people assume ignoring their dental issues will lead to them eventually going away. As nice as this would be if it were true, the smart move is to schedule an appointment at the first sign of a problem. This can ensure that the situation doesn’t become worse or develop into a serious dental emergency. The sooner you seek treatment, the better!

Wear Protective Gear When Necessary

Anyone participating in sports where dental injuries are common should wear protective gear. Wearing the right protection can help you to avoid a number of different dental accidents. No one wants to deal with broken or lost teeth after a sports-related incident. While it’s impossible to prevent every mishap, you can take steps to make sure that they’re avoided whenever possible. Helmets, mouthguards, and other protective devices can help you enjoy sports and athletics without putting your dental health at risk. Your family dentist can advise you on the most effective protection gear for the activity that you’re engaging in. Don’t hesitate to ask!

Emergency dental care is no fun. If you are looking for a family dentist to help you stay on top of your dental care, you’ve come to the right place! Contact our office today to book your appointment.

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How Can Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities?

Cavities are one of the most common dental problems that can be painful and costly to repair. Fortunately, with regular care and preventive treatment in the form of dental sealants, you can help protect your teeth from decay. Dental sealants are a great way to prevent cavities as they provide a protective barrier over the chewing surfaces of molars. Let’s learn more about how they protect your teeth.

1. What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are a thin plastic coating your dentist can apply to the chewing surfaces of permanent molars. The sealant blocks food and bacteria from getting into the grooves of your teeth, which can cause cavities. Sealants are generally clear or slightly tinted so they can blend in with your teeth and are not very noticeable.

2. How Do Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities?

Dental sealants form a protective barrier that prevents tooth decay-causing bacteria from entering the grooves of your molars. It helps to stop cavities before they have a chance to form in these hard-to-reach areas. A single application can last up to ten years and protect your teeth from cavities.

3. Who Should Get Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are most effective when applied to healthy teeth as soon as they have erupted. Generally, dentists recommend sealants for children ages 6-14 who are at higher risk of cavities due to their still-developing oral hygiene habits. Adults may also benefit from dental sealants if they have deep grooves in their molars and are prone to cavities.

4. Are Dental Sealants Effective?

Yes! According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, dental sealants can reduce cavities by up to 80% in the back teeth in a 2-year period. This makes them an effective and inexpensive way to prevent cavities and maintain good oral health.

5. How Do I Care For My Dental Sealants?

It’s important to take good care of your dental sealants by brushing and flossing regularly. Be sure to avoid biting on hard foods that could wear down the sealant and make it less effective in protecting your teeth from decay. If you notice any chipping or wear of your sealants, contact your dentist right away.

Dental sealants are an important tool in preventing cavities, as they provide a protective barrier on the chewing surfaces of your molars. If you think your teeth could benefit from this preventive measure, talk to us about whether dental sealants are right for you.

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Why Implants are Preferable to Dentures

Dental injuries that lead to the loss of teeth can be extremely difficult for a person. Such injuries can make one lose confidence in their appearance. To restore this, one may either have dentures or dental implants. Here are the differences and similarities between these two options.

Dentures

Dentures are oral appliances that are made to look like natural teeth. In other words, they are dental prosthetics. Dentures can be done partially or fully depending on the nature of the tooth loss.

Dentures are relatively more affordable compared to implants. Dentures can be used to replace a few lost teeth or the entire tooth arch. Dentures need to be removed when going to sleep. They need to be stored in water or denture cleanser in order to prevent cracking.

Dental Implants

Dental implants, on the other hand, are prosthetic teeth that are implanted into the jaw. They are installed through a dental surgical procedure and are permanent. Their permanence helps their users resume their normal routines such as eating all foods. Unlike dentures that might limit the types of food that one can eat; dental implants allow one to eat anything they want. Dental implants have a 98% success rate.

Jawbone Deterioration and Teeth Replacement

One of the effects of losing a tooth is jawbone deterioration. The body senses that a tooth is missing and immediately stops sending minerals to where the tooth was located. This affects the jaw and the teeth surrounding the gap left by the tooth removal. They can also lead to facial collapse and an altering of the facial appearance of a person. Dentures have no attachment to the jawbone. However, dental implants are attached to the jawbone and the body detects them as its part. Dental implants prevent this from happening. It is easier to maintain healthy dental care with implants than with dentures.

Social Benefits

One of the main disadvantages of having dentures is that at times they fall off at the most unexpected times. For example, when speaking or eating. These accidents may have scarring psychological effects on a person. Dental implants are permanently fixed on the gum, and one does not have to frequently worry about them falling. They have a better effect even on one’s speech, especially if they have lost their front teeth.

Whether one uses dentures or dental implants, it is mandatory to maintain high standards of dental hygiene. One must brush their teeth twice a day and visit their dentist regularly. Dental care begins with oneself.

For more information about your options, contact Lowell Dental Arts today. We’ll help you achieve the smile of your dreams!

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