After a blazing hot summer, we now seem to be in the throws of a very cold snap. A combination of snow, rain and freezing temperatures is certainly a hazard both to car drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike. Where possible, it is best to avoid going out in these conditions, but sometimes this is just not possible. Many of us will have to go to work while others will need to go to the shops for food and other necessities.
Being careful and wearing appropriate footwear is essential of course (high heels are a definite ‘no no’), but, even if we avoid as many risks as we can, there is always a spot of ice that we don’t notice and can soon find ourselves falling, with no way to stop ourselves.
There will almost certainly be many bruises and a few broken bones this winter. Broken or chipped teeth are not uncommon either, though thankfully, our first automatic reaction is to protect our head. This probably prevents at least some of the harm to our teeth and explains why broken wrists are so common as we try to soften the fall.
If you break, chip or crack a tooth, or even hit it, with no visible damage, you should treat this as a dental emergency and contact Rushey Green Dental Practice Catford straight away. Even if you can’t see any issues with the tooth or feel it is only minor, the chances are that the tooth will be weakened or at least more vulnerable to infection. Our reception team will be able to book you an appointment so that you can be seen as soon as possible. They will also be able to provide you with advice on how to keep the tooth comfortable in the meantime, or will contact a dentist who will call you back should the situation be a little more complex.
A broken tooth will almost certainly be weakened and may become damaged even more. Even if this doesn’t happen, the inner part of the tooth will be exposed and decay and possible root canal infections are likely to follow.
Even a chipped tooth that is minor and hasn’t exposed the dentin below it can cause problems. The chip is likely to leave a sharp edge and cuts to the soft tissue of the mouth (lips, cheeks etc) can occur, with infections possibly to follow soon after if treatment is not sought. It is essential then, that you contact us so that the tooth, or teeth, can be treated as soon as possible. Please don’t wait to see if any damage causes further problems before taking action.
How the tooth is treated will depend on the nature of the damage done. Our Catford dentist will examine the tooth and may also take x-rays to check for any damage that may have been done beneath the gum line. In some cases, it may be that the only option is to extract the damaged tooth, leaving the patient with tooth replacement options such as dentures or dental implants. We will explain the pros and cons of these with you should the need arise.
In most cases, it is likely that the tooth can be restored. This might be by using a filling, but, where the damage is more significant, a dental crown may be used. This works well for more significant damage and will offer greater strength and allow you to continue to use the tooth more or less as usual.
Another option that could be used is cosmetic bonding. This is likely only to be used where damage is small and superficial. For example, if a small amount of tooth has been lost from the corner of the tooth, cosmetic bonding can often be attached and shaped to restore the tooth, functionally and aesthetically.
Our first advice to our local Catford patients is to avoid walking in icy conditions as much as possible and take care as far as you can if you really do have to go out. We hope that you will avoid any falls and collisions, but if this should happen to you and there is any potential tooth damage, please contact us straight away. Naturally, if you hit your head during a fall, you should give priority to that and go to the A&E before worrying about your teeth.
For any further information, or to book an emergency dental appointment with us, please call the team at Rushey Green Dental Practice on 020 8314 5066.
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