Summer Safety

June 25th, 2009 by Mark Mutschler

Summer is the time for kids to get outside and have fun.  Unfortunately, it is also the time of year when many accidents occur.  In addition to our page on dental emergencies, here are some things you should know:

1.   Preventing dental accidents is usually better than dealing with the sometimes serious problems that can occur with a fall or blow to the mouth.

Mouthguards are a proven method of preventing knocked out or broken teeth.  The inexpensive ones you can buy at the sporting goods store seem to do an adequate job for most uses.

If you are in a sport like boxing or martial arts, you may want to get a custom made one to ensure maximum protection.  We can take an impression of your teeth and make a mouthguard that will help you breathe well and still protect you from a hard right cross.

2.  If a tooth gets chipped enough that the middle bleeds, you need to see your dentist right away.

Bleeding from the middle of a broken tooth generally means that the nerve has been exposed and although it may not hurt immediately, once it gets infected, it will abscess and become more painful.

3.  A tooth that gets knocked out should be replaced in the hole it came from immediately.

There are living cells on the root surface that MUST be kept alive or the tooth will eventually be lost .

If the root is dirty, gently wash it off but avoid tap water; milk or spit work better.

Have fun this summer but be careful.

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