I am proud to say that I have all my own teeth at the age of 65. While that may not sound unusual to some people, everyone in my family who is my age or older wears dentures. I always tell people that that flossing is the key to good dental health. I have arthritis in my hands, but I don't let it keep me from flossing every day. My trick is to use those little "flossers" you can buy at the drug store. They have plastic handles floss stretched out on top of the handle. These make flossing easier on days when my arthritis is acting up. I started this blog to let other people know that they can keep their teeth healthy into old age when they take care of them. If you have hand pain, find ways to make flossing easier, like I did.
Don't Let Hand Pain Keep You from Flossing
What Every Hockey Player Needs To Know About The Emergency Dentist
Francis Miles
For hockey players, a trip to the emergency dentist is sometimes unavoidable. Whether you're dealing with a cracked tooth or a dislodged tooth, an emergency dentist can help you get back on the ice as soon as possible. Here's everything you need to know about visiting the emergency dentist, from what to expect to how to prepare.
How Do You Prevent Unnecessary Injury?
Short of staying away from the boards, you can avoid unnecessary injury by wearing your mouthguard. A high-quality mouthguard can help protect you from cracked or dislodged teeth during a game or practice and lead to fewer dental emergencies overall.
While you can purchase over-the-counter mouthguards that are form fitted to your mouth with the application of hot water, spending the extra money on a custom-fitted mouthguard from your dentist is worth it, especially if you play a high-impact sport like hockey.
What Should You Do if You Lose a Tooth on the Ice?
If you lose a tooth during an altercation, before anyone heads to the penalty box, find the tooth. Carefully insert the tooth back into the socket if you can. Do not touch the root end as you do so. You want to keep the tooth's root area as clean and free from germs as possible. Hold the tooth in place until you get to the emergency dentist by clenching your jaw.
If you can't put the tooth back in, place it in a container of milk. While this may seem like bizarre advice, milk actually offers some protection for the tooth. It contains the right amount of proteins, anti-bacterial substances, and sugars to keep cells growing long enough to make it to the dentist for re-implantation. You'll have to hurry, though. Experts state that a dislocated tooth can only survive about 30 minutes.
What Can You Expect When You Visit the Emergency Dentist?
Once you have the tooth safely secured, you can make your way to the emergency dentist. The first thing they'll do is assess the damage and determine whether or not they can re-implant the tooth or, in the case of extensive damage, you need to have the remnants of your tooth extracted.
For a cracked tooth, the dentist may be able to repair it with a simple bonding application, or you may need a root canal and crown to repair and save the tooth.
As a hockey player, you may or may not be on a first-name basis with your emergency dentist. If you find yourself in need of one, however, it's important to know what to expect and how to prepare to ensure that your trip to the emergency dentist goes as smoothly as possible.
Reach out to an emergency dentistry clinic like Cruz Davis Family and Cosmetic Dentistry to learn more.
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