As a young mother, I was reasonably ignorant when raising my firstborn. My biggest regret is that I didn't help her take better care of her teeth. Like many people, I didn't realise the importance of baby teeth, resulting in long-term dental problems. Recently, my daughter got married and some of my tears were for the beautiful, glistening smile she presented to the cameras. Ever since I realised the dental damage I had caused, I had been saving for my daughter to have cosmetic dentistry. The results are remarkable. During the course of this journey, I have learnt a lot about caring for children's teeth and corrective procedures that can be undertaken when issues arise. I am sure many of you would be interested in the latest knowledge and techniques that are available to prevent and repair dental complications. I'm Margret Devlin - thanks for visiting.
If you maintain regular dental appointments and you suffer a sudden problem, you may think you can hold off seeing the dentist until your next scheduled appointment. However, this is a bad idea. If you are facing a dental emergency, you will need to see a dentist as soon as possible. If you are ever in doubt as to whether you need to see a dentist, you should err on the side of caution and book an appointment. Below is a guide to 3 times you need to book an emergency appointment with your dentist.
You are having problems opening your jaw
While minor problems such as stiff neck muscles or jaw pain may cause minor pain in your jaw, if you reach the point where you are struggling to open and close your jaw, you need to see an emergency dentist. Possible causes for problems opening or closing your jaw include tetanus, a tooth infection or lockjaw. You should apply a warm compress to your face as this may relax the muscles around the jaw and will help to alleviate the pain. However, if your jaw is beginning to lock up or becomes very painful, you should see an emergency dentist.
Your tooth has cracked up the middle
If a crack has developed at the centre of your tooth, this is a sign that it has become so weakened and could be ready to break. If your tooth breaks, you may be at risk of losing the tooth, meaning that it will need to be extracted or replaced using a dental implant. However, if you visit an emergency dentist, they may be able to fill a minor crack using a bonding agent or to place a veneer over the tooth to prevent it from any further damage. As well as saving the tooth, this could also help to save you money.
A filling has fallen out
A filling isn't just designed to cover a cavity in a tooth; it also helps to hold the structure of a tooth together. If a filling falls out, this can severely weaken your tooth and increase the chance that it may crack or break, leading to the tooth being removed. Has fillings age, they can lose their adhesion, which causes them to break down and become loose. As soon as you notice that you have lost a filling, you should make an emergency appointment with your dentist.
Share27 July 2017
