There is nothing convenient about a dental emergency! A broken tooth or dental pain is never fun to deal with. These issues can keep you awake at night or force you to cancel plans. However, the good news is that having a trusted emergency dentist in Fort Collins means you can rest easy if a tooth emergency arises.
At Ryan Rush, DDS, we're here for our patients when they need us most! We leave time available in our schedule to accommodate emergency patients and provide same-day treatment whenever possible. Dr. Rush offers comprehensive dental care, and our office is well-equipped to provide a wide range of treatments. We use state-of-the-art technology to ensure you have a comfortable, efficient, and pleasant experience. Our goal is to eliminate your pain and restore your well-being.
Today, we're going to discuss some of the common causes of dental emergencies and how you can protect your smile and prevent them from happening in the first place. Let's get started!
#1 Sports Injuries
Were you aware that nearly half of the dental emergencies we see are caused by sports injuries? It's true!
Cracked or knocked-out teeth can occur when a ball or an elbow hits you in the face. That's why it's crucial to protect your smile and dental health with a custom mouth guard for sports.
Dr. Rush can create a mouth guard customized just for your smile with impressions we take of your teeth. A custom guard provides enhanced protection without interfering with your game-day performance. If you or a loved one participates in sports, a custom mouth guard is a must!
#2 Tooth Decay and Cavities
Tooth decay is a prevalent problem that might be impacting your smile without you even realizing it. Tooth decay often starts slowly and causes minimal pain at first. This is why routine checkups with your Fort Collins dentist are so important, because we can spot tooth decay before it becomes a more significant problem.
If Dr. Rush spots tooth decay early on, he can typically treat it with a simple dental filling. Today's fillings are made from tooth-colored composite resin, which provides durability and blends seamlessly with your tooth and your smile. Dental fillings can help you avoid further problems down the road that could result in a tooth emergency.
If tooth decay goes unnoticed or untreated, it eventually progresses further into your tooth. If it reaches the inner pulp and nerves of your tooth, that's when it may cause a painful infection. An infected tooth needs root canal treatment, which alleviates pain, removes the infection, and preserves the natural structure of your tooth.
Seeing your dentist every six months for routine teeth cleanings and checkups is one of the best ways to protect your smile and avoid dental emergencies.
#3 Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the gums and bone that support your teeth. Advanced gum disease can cause tooth mobility, pain, and tooth loss. Several factors can cause gum disease, such as poor oral hygiene, genetics, hormonal changes, and smoking, among other things. Patients suffering from gum disease are more susceptible to dental emergencies because the health and support system of their teeth is compromised.
Visiting your dentist every six months for preventive care is the best way to guard against gum disease, as we can sometimes spot it earlier than you can. If we catch gum disease in its early stage (gingivitis), you can successfully manage it, and sometimes even reverse it before it becomes more problematic and damaging to your smile.
#4 Lost or Damaged Restorations
Dental fillings or crowns that are compromised, damaged, or lost may cause you discomfort. Even if they're not currently causing discomfort, if they're damaged or compromised, they may need immediate attention to avoid further complications. Gather the fragments of your restoration and bring them along to your dental appointment if you can. Dr. Rush will decide whether repair or replacement of your restoration is the best course of action.
Your dentist checks the health of your current restorations during every routine checkup. Spotting wear or damage early may help you avoid tooth emergencies.
#5 Cracked or Chipped Teeth
Cracked or chipped teeth sometimes happen and may be hard to avoid, but you can take some measures at home, such as:
- Never use your teeth as tools
- Cut hard foods into bite-sized pieces instead of biting into them directly
- Don't chew on ice
- Wear a mouthguard for sports or bedtime if you clench and grind your teeth.
Treat your dental restorations, such as fillings, veneers, and crowns, just like your natural teeth to avoid damaging, breaking, or losing them.
Don't Wait to Contact Your Fort Collins Emergency Dentist
Always contact your dentist before heading to a hospital emergency room, as they are better equipped to handle tooth emergencies. Contacting your dentist first for guidance will save you valuable time and money.
Please don't wait for a painful toothache to resolve on its own, as it will need root canal treatment to eliminate the infection. An infected tooth that's left untreated will result in tooth loss, which negatively impacts your dental health.
If you or a loved one encounters a dental emergency, contact your team at Ryan Rush, DDS, at (970) 223-5393 for prompt emergency dental care. We give you instructions over the phone on how to reach us in case of a dental emergency outside of our regular hours.