Summer Dental Emergencies: What You Need to Know and How to Handle Them

Summer is the season of sun, fun, and outdoor activities, but it’s also a time when dental emergencies can strike unexpectedly. Whether you’re enjoying a barbecue, playing sports, or indulging in summer treats, accidents can happen. This blog will help you understand common summer dental emergencies and how to handle them effectively.

Common Summer Dental Emergencies

Chipped or Broken Teeth

Causes: Sports injuries, falls, or biting down on hard foods like ice or popcorn kernels.

What to Do: Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Save any broken pieces of the tooth if possible and contact Shine Dental Associates immediately.

Knocked-Out Teeth

Causes: Accidents during physical activities or sudden impacts.

What to Do: Retrieve the tooth, holding it by the crown (not the root). Rinse it gently without scrubbing, and try to reinsert it into the socket. If this isn’t possible, place the tooth in a container of milk or saliva and seek urgent dental care.

Toothaches

Causes: Tooth decay, infections, or dental abscesses.

What to Do: Rinse your mouth with warm water and floss gently to remove any trapped food. Avoid applying aspirin directly to the gums. If the pain persists, schedule an appointment to identify the cause and receive appropriate treatment.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Causes: Cuts or tears in the lips, tongue, cheeks, or gums from falls, bites, or sharp objects.

What to Do: Rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution and apply a clean cloth or gauze to the bleeding area. If the bleeding doesn’t stop after 15 minutes, seek immediate medical attention.

Lost Fillings or Crowns

Causes: Chewing hard or sticky foods can dislodge fillings or crowns.

What to Do: If the exposed tooth is painful, use dental cement or temporary adhesive (available at most pharmacies) to cover it. Then, contact your dentist for prompt repair or replacement.

Preventing Summer Dental Emergencies

Wear Mouthguards: When engaging in contact sports or activities that involve a risk of impact, wear a properly fitted mouthguard to protect your teeth.

Avoid Hard Foods: Avoid chewing ice, hard candies, or other foods that can crack or chip your teeth.

Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps wash away food particles and bacteria, reducing the risk of decay and infection.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss regularly to keep your teeth and gums healthy and prevent issues that could lead to emergencies.

Regular Dental Check-Ups: Schedule routine visits with Shine Dental Associates to catch potential problems early and keep your dental health in check.

Shine Dental Associates: Your Partner in Dental Health

At Shine Dental Associates, we understand that dental emergencies can be stressful and painful, especially during the carefree summer months. Our team is dedicated to providing prompt and effective care to ensure you can get back to enjoying your summer activities with a healthy smile.

If you experience a dental emergency this summer, please get in touch with us. We offer emergency dental services provided by Long Islands’ premier dentists. 

Quick action and proper care can make all the difference in preserving your dental health.

Contact Shine Dental Associates Today!

For more information or to schedule an emergency appointment, call us at ‭+1 (516) 348-8500‬ or visit our website.

Stay safe, and have a wonderful summer!

*Always consult with your Dentist: You should always seek the advice of your dentist to make sure which options are best for you. Dental conditions vary widely among individuals. Not all dental problems are visible or easily detectable. Professional cleanings are essential no matter how diligent your oral hygiene routine is. Regular dental check-ups allow for the early detection of potential issues. Dentists are trained to provide expert advice on oral hygiene and other factors that impact your dental health. Online information may need more depth and accuracy to address your specific needs.

 

a woman with a toothacheThere will often be times where someone will call into our office with urgent questions. Some of the calls will be answered simply while others will constitute as a dental emergency. If you are concerned about whether or not you have an urgent situation that requires a quick trip to the dental office, you may want to keep a couple of problems in mind that you could face with your teeth.

Fractured Tooth

In some cases a fractured tooth may not be considered an emergency. However, there are many times when a fractured tooth will need to be addressed immediately. If you happen to feel as though you have a severe fracture and you are in a great deal of pain, it is important that you have it looked at as soon as possible.

Major Swelling

There are some instances where you end up having swelling in your mouth that can be due to infection. If at any time you notice that your gums are swollen, it is important that you talk to your dental office right away about being seen.

Knocked Out Tooth

If there is any time when you have a tooth that has been knocked out, it is important that you apply a compress as soon as possible to help stop the bleeding. It is crucial that you make plans to visit the dentist immediately and if possible, bring the tooth with you in case it is able to be used for an implant to fix your smile.

Extruded Tooth

When a tooth is extruded, it is repositioned or displaced from the location where it is supposed to be. Usually, this is when a tooth is either pushed backward or forward in the mouth. Instead of attempting to readjust it, it is important that you make plans for a dental visit as soon as you can.

Abscessed Tooth

Generally, an abscessed tooth will appear discolored and will swell due to the formation of pus. No matter the level of the abscess, you need to see a dentist immediately to have the tooth addressed. With this sort of a situation, you could have a bad infection on your hands that can lead to dangerous health consequences if not treated.

No matter what, it is important to call a dentist whenever you find that you have any sort of emergency on your hands. It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your mouth health.

Shine Dental Associates provides 24 hour dental care. Call our special dental emergency number when you needs us for an emergency at (516) 348-2000.