At the Palm Desert Center for Advanced Periodontics, Cosmetic, Sedation and Implant Dentistry in Palm Desert, California, our goal is to do everything we can to help you preserve your natural teeth. Our routine dental cleanings and exams help you keep your teeth and gums healthy in support of your daily oral hygiene routine as you brush at least twice a day and replace your toothbrush when the bristles fray.
Please don’t skip flossing, as it is crucial to good oral health, so find a method you enjoy using (dental floss, interdental brush, soft picks, water flosser, etc.) and do it daily! Good oral health is the No. 1 method of preventing a dental emergency from dental disease, tooth decay and oral infection that could lead to tooth loss.
What happens when you come in for a dental emergency?
When dental emergencies happen, Dr. Kalashini Miller and her team of specialists are here to help you. Losing an adult tooth is considered a dental emergency, and unless the tooth is saved immediately, it will need to be replaced with a dental restoration. While we are pleased to provide high-quality tooth replacement options, keeping your natural tooth is still ideal whenever possible. As an adult, if you experience dental trauma or injury from an accident or infection, your tooth can’t grow back. That’s why immediate treatment can often save a tooth that has fallen out.
What qualifies as a dental emergency?
Along with a knocked-out tooth, experiencing intense swelling, pressure, or pain below a tooth or in your gums is a big red flag. Chipped or broken teeth should be evaluated, and definitely if you have a filling, crown or dental veneer that has fallen out. Toothache and bleeding in the mouth also qualify as dental emergencies.
In addition to evaluating your condition, we can stop the bleeding and the pain while immediately treating the symptoms. If you came in within an hour of losing an adult tooth, we may be able to save it, and if you lost a dental restoration, we can replace it to protect your pearly whites from additional damage. Even a chipped or cracked tooth needs to be seen, particularly if it occurred as a result of injury.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
-Keep an eye out for dental pain or changes to your teeth, gums or oral tissues. Tooth pain lets you know something isn’t right, and even if it stops hurting, it shouldn’t be ignored as it can indicate that the infection may have already destroyed the tooth nerve. Dr. Miller will need to see it to determine the extent of damage, and you should also come in if there are unusual or persistent sores or ulcers inside the mouth.
-Limit your daily sugar intake. Snacking all day on sweets or starchy chips, pretzels, bread, etc. can leave your mouth battling acidity that wears down tooth enamel and leads to cavities. Instead, eat sweets with meals when possible to lower acidity in the mouth.
-Consume a balanced diet to give your teeth and gums the vitamins and minerals they need to fight tooth decay and gum disease (and the ability to heal properly from injury).
-Drink plenty of water to maintain healthy saliva production and prevent dry mouth that can otherwise lead to problems with your oral health. Saliva keeps the pH in your mouth neutral, contains tooth-protecting minerals, and helps rinse away oral debris, bits of food, old skin cells, and bacteria.
-To help you keep your routine dental checkups if you experience dental anxiety or phobias, please reach out to our experienced dental team. We are equipped to provide you with the comfortable, quality dental care you need while helping you feel less anxious. Our sedation options can give you the relief you need to seek dental care year-round without fear or putting off much-needed cleanings.
-Protect your face by wearing an athletic mouth guard and helmet or face guard when needed if you engage in sports or high-impact recreational activities. This can protect your teeth, gums, and oral tissues from injury and damage.
Call our office today if you have a dental emergency!
Dr. Miller and her team of specialists at Palm Desert Center for Advanced Periodontics, Cosmetic, Sedation and Implant Dentistry in Palm Desert, California, offer emergency dental treatment along with INSURANCE. We encourage you to seek help immediately if a dental emergency arises. If you live in the Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, or neighboring communities of the Coachella Valley and find yourself with a dental emergency, please don’t hesitate to call us at 760-851-0314 right away!