Most Common Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can occur in the blink of an eye and threaten your dental health. Many dental conditions start slowly and deteriorate over time. They can generally be prevented with regular dental care and good dental hygiene, but true dental emergencies often occur without warning. Our dentist in Torrance CA advises our patients to become familiar with common dental emergencies and ways to minimize long-term damage in order to maintain good dental health.

Tooth fractures are extremely common and can be caused by biting down on hard objects. The structure of the tooth may have been previously compromised by decay, a large filling or root canal treatment. A broken tooth needs prompt treatment to avoid more severe damage. A dental filling, root canal treatment, dental crown or dental extraction may be necessary.

An avulsion, or tooth that has been knocked out, is another common dental emergency. These are frequently the result of athletic injuries or car accidents. The tooth must be handled carefully to prevent damage. Do not touch the root of the tooth. Rinse any dirt from the tooth, but do not scrub the tooth or use any cleaning chemicals or alcohol on the tooth. If possible, insert the tooth back into its socket and bite down on gauze. If you cannot re-insert the tooth easily, place the tooth in whole milk or between your gum and cheek to prevent the root from drying out. Visit an emergency room immediately. If you were able to re-insert the tooth, visit your dentist as soon as possible.

Contact our expert for dental emergency in Torrance to schedule your appointment.

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