Archive for the ‘sports injury’ Category

EMERGENCY: What Should I Do if I Injure My Tooth?

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

Emergency Dentist Tooth - Flickr GarryknightMany people ask the question, “What should I do if I injure my tooth? This is an important question, which requires quick action to prevent you from further pain, and from possibly losing your tooth.

The smartest option for dealing with an injured tooth is to visit a dentist and see if it requires prompt treatment. It’s possible that it is not an emergency, and you can schedule an appointment to have it repaired at your convenience. However, in many cases, time is your enemy, and if you wait too long with a severely damaged tooth, you could lose it.

What Will a Dentist Do if I Injure My Tooth?

Here are some things that your dentist could do if you injure your teeth:

  • Baby Teeth – If baby teeth (primary teeth) are loosened enough, your dentist will probably suggest that you have it removed. There’s no sense in trying to refit a damaged baby tooth, because it could cause problems for an underlying permanent tooth.
  • Cracked Tooth – A cracked tooth can usually be crowned by your dentist, but it depends on how badly it is cracked. If it is cracked badly enough, you might require root canal. Remember you might not always be able to see a cracked tooth, so it’s best to get an x-ray from your dentist.
  • Chipped Tooth – It’s possible that your chipped tooth is only damaged superficially. However, once your enamel is damaged, you could begin to have many problems, so your dentist will repair it with crowns or veneers.
  • Broken or Knocked out Tooth – Before seeing your dentist, the first thing you want to do is remain calm. If your tooth is knocked out completely, you need to save the tooth. Pick it up by the head, or enamel part, not the root. If it is possible, try re-implanting it yourself. If that’s not possible, put it in some cold water or milk, and take it to a dentist as quickly as possible. It’s possible to lose your tooth permanently if it is not replaced within the first hour or two.

Remember, a tooth injury shouldn’t be taken lightly. Let your dentist give your teeth a proper check up and treatment, so you can keep your beautiful smile. If you have an injured tooth and you need a good dentist in the Scottsdale, Arizona area, contact the friendly staff at the office of Marcia L Blazer DDS at 480-596-8273.

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Afraid of the dentist? Parents, please don’t pass that trait to your kids!!!

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Dr. Blazer’s Advice to Parents on How Not to Pass on Your Fear of the Dentist to Your Kids!

Rule #1:  Do not discuss with your child what you think they will experience at the dental visit. Your prejudices will show through no matter how much you try to hide it.  Let us do it, we will do it better!

Rule #2:  Schedule your appointment for a time when you think your child will have the most patience and give them a healthy snack before the appointment. You know your own child.  Hungry and tired children are less cooperative for mom and dad, why would you expect them to be better for me?  I have a fridge with healthy drinks and snacks in my waiting room and patients are welcome to help themselves when they arrive.

Rule #3:  If you think you are not going to be able to handle seeing your child have dental treatment done, don’t come back into the treatment area. We will take good care of him and come out to update you periodically during the procedure.  I have had to quickly pull a child out of the dental chair to get his dad to lie down before he passed out while watching me remove a tooth on his son!  By the way, his son was most upset about me interrupting the movie he was watching!

Rule #4:  Never talk about  negative dental visits you may have experienced in the past, especially during your child’s dental visit! Dentistry has changed a lot since you were a kid.  Don’t pass your prejudices onto your child!

Rule #5:  Never use “going to the dentist” as a threat. Believe it or not, I’ve had parents tell their children to behave or they were going to make me give them a shot!   I’ve had parents tell the child if they don’t brush their teeth, the dentist was going to hurt them.  How am I to gain your child’s trust if he hears comments like that from you?

Finally, I would tell you to take the time to talk to your dentist about your own fears.  Perhaps watching your child have a positive dental experience might just convince you to get back in the dental chair?  Check out  some of the  website reviews from my patients, many of them initially fearful and now appreciative of the care they’ve received.

 

 

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How to Prevent a Dental Emergency…

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Picture this.   Child #1 holds a metal baseball bat.  Child #2 holds a basketball.  Any veteran parent knows this is a prescription for disaster…  Batting practice begins.  Within minutes, before the veteran parent can say “Stop! Someone’s going to get hurt here!” ,  the bat makes contact with the basketball, ricochets off and hits child #1 in the mouth, breaking several front teeth.   Accidents like this one happen every day, and knowing what to do can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth.

Dental emergencies occur more frequently in children and young adults, but can happen to anyone.  Here are some simple precautions you can take to avoid injury.

When participating in a sport , it is important to wear a mouthguard to protect the teeth,lips and tongue.   While simple mouthguards can be purchased in a drugstore, custom mouthguards  made by a dentist  fit much better.  This better fit makes them more comfortable to wear, as well as being better protection.  Many dental offices can make custom mouthguards on site.

If a tooth is knocked out completely, pick it up and avoid touching the root.  Rinse off any debris with warm water (again without touching the root) and then put it back gently in the socket  or a cup of milk.  Contact your dentist immediately.  Some dental offices have small bottles of sterile saline available for storing teeth knocked out in an accident.  These are available for purchase, and are a must for any first-aid kit for parents or coaches.

If a tooth is broken  or lips and tongue lacerated in an accident, rinse out with warm water, and apply an ice pack to control swelling.  Contact your dentist immediately or go to the emergency room if there is a lot of bleeding.

To lessen the risk of breaking a molar, avoid chewing popcorn kernels, ice or hard candy.  Do not use your teeth for anything other than chewing food.   It is not uncommon for teeth with large silver fillings, especially molars, to break when chewing even soft foods.  If you are noticing pain to chewing, it could be a sign that you have a cracked tooth or filling.  It’s time to call your dentist before it gets worse!

Remember, a few simple precautions can lessen the risk of tooth loss or injury.  But in the event of an accident, notify your dentist immediately.  It can save a tooth!  For more information about dental care, see our website, www.drblazer.com , where you can also link to the website for the American Dental Association.

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