National Dental Hygiene Month and Halloween both fall in October, which gives my team and I the opportunity to celebrate our dental hygienists and remind patients to schedule their next checkup and teeth cleaning.
If you happen to chip a tooth over the Halloween holiday, we want to help.
What Should You Do Right After You Crack or Chip a Tooth?
If you crack a tooth, it’s important to schedule an emergency dental visit as soon as possible.
If you chip a tooth, it can often wait until the next available appointment unless you experience pain or swelling. In this case, I should see you immediately.
As you await your emergency dental visit, you can use an ice pack periodically to control pain and swelling and use an over-the-counter pain reliever if medically able.
Which Halloween Candies Are Hardest on Your Teeth?
Sticky or hard candies tend to be hardest on the teeth. Sticky sweets can dislodge fillings and restorations or leave a sticky residue on the teeth that often leads to decay.
Jawbreakers and other hard candies can chip or crack a tooth.
Can a Broken Tooth Be Fixed in One Visit?
In some cases, I can treat the broken tooth, take a digital impression, and create a custom crown while you wait. My same-day dental crowns in Bellevue, TN, are cut from quality porcelain.
In other cases, especially if a tooth is broken below the gumline, I must extract it to prevent complications. Replacing this lost tooth is essential for your long-term oral health. We can discuss the options, including a dental implant.
Contact Your Dentist in Bellevue, TN
As my team and I celebrate Dental Hygiene Month and Halloween, we urge you to schedule your next dental checkup and teeth-cleaning appointment.
To learn more or if you have questions, call us today.