How to avoid the need for emergency dental work in Indianapolis

Tooth damage is one of the leading emergencies handled in dental offices. We encourage our patients to add our office number to their list of contacts so that, if a dental emergency occurs, we can quickly assess the situation and schedule an office visit. There is no reason to experience the pain of a cracked, fractured, or knocked out tooth when your dentist provides emergency dental care.

Many of the situations that require immediate dental work in our Indianapolis office can be prevented with just a few precautions and good habits.

• Failing dental fillings pose a significant risk to oral health. In order for a tooth to remain healthy, the filling material must be tightly sealed around its entire border. If tiny gaps develop between a filling and tooth material, bacteria can enter and cause deeper cavities or even infection beneath the filling. To reduce this risk, all that is needed is adequate oral care and regular dental visits.
• Untreated cavities, which can occur when dental care is not received as recommended, can lead to infection in the pulp, located in the tooth root. Infection in the pulp chamber can cause quite a bit of pain, and usually requires root canal therapy to restore comfort and oral health.
• Habits are largely responsible for our oral health. If nutrition is poor, oral hygiene is inadequate, or habits such as tobacco use continue, dental health will suffer. Habits such as these weaken enamel and gum tissues, significantly increasing the chances for cavities and gum disease, as well as other dental problems.
• Tooth grinding and clenching is a condition called bruxism. Many people clench or grind their teeth during sleep. This habit can wear down tooth structure and place undue stress on the joints at the back of the jaw. Your dentist can treat bruxism with a custom oral appliance. Worn when sleeping, this appliance reduces the impact of clenching and preserves oral health.
• Contact sports put individuals in direct risk of physical injuries. Teeth, as well as the oral structure as a whole, can be protected with a custom mouthguard made for wear during sporting activities.

Your emergency dentist is here to help

Washington Street Dentistry is equipped for 24/7 availability by phone. If a dental emergency strikes, call us any time at (317) 333-6788 and we will arrange to provide care as soon as possible.

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