Americans Unprepared for Dental Emergencies

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To a recent survey done by MajesticDrug.com found thath 72% of Americans have fillings, caps or crowns, and that roughly 17% had a dental emergency during the past 12 months, most are not prepared to deal with a dental emergency, according to a recent survey conducted by Majestic Drug Company, a leading provider of oral care products.

Interestingly, in the national survey of 1,000 Americans, those earning less then $35,000 per year were more likely to have had a dental emergency in the past 12 months compared to 14% of those making $100,000 or more per year.

Of those who had a dental emergency, 23% involved a loose crown or cap, 10% involved a lost filling, while 72 percent said their dental emergency involved something else. Among those who had a dental emergency involving a loose crown/cap or a lost filling, 67% immediately went to a dentist, and 14% looked for a temporary solution to purchase, while 19% did nothing at the time.

"You keep medical supplies on hand for cuts and bruises, but what about your teeth? It's important to be prepared for a dental emergency in case one happens, especially if the emergency occurs on a weekend when your dentist just isn't available or you are on the road and cannot seek immediate dental care," according to Brian Gold, D.D.S., who operates a dental practice in Monticello, NY.

Remember, temporary dental solutions are just that--they are temporary. Make sure to seek professional assistance from your dentist as soon as possible.