You can never expect when a dental emergency will happen to you, but they can be common. In many dental emergencies, you can experience severe pain or gum bleeds and even risk losing a permanent tooth. Any dental emergency requires a call and a visit to the dental office as soon as possible.
A dental emergency can throw a wrench in your day, but there are some ways you can prevent dental emergencies from occurring with proper oral care. These preventive tips can help avoid the emergency dentist for as long as possible.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
If you only do one thing to prevent a dental emergency, it should be practicing good oral hygiene. It’s the most effective and easiest way to prevent an unnecessary urgent visit to the dentist. Regularly brush and floss your teeth to keep your mouth clean and prevent cavities.
Wear A Mouth Guard
If you are participating in any physical activities or sports, especially with a lot of contact, take measures to protect your teeth at all costs. Wear a mouthguard during rough physical activities to prevent mouth trauma such as chipped or broken teeth. If you grind your teeth at night, a mouthguard can be a great way to protect your teeth against chips caused by the grinding of your teeth.
Avoid Using Your Teeth as a Tool
Although your teeth are strong, you should avoid opening bottles and snacks with your teeth, as tempting as it may be. Your tooth enamel can weaken over time and cause your teeth to crack or chip.
Eat Healthy, Nutritious Food
Eat a well-balanced diet with healthy fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins and avoid sugary and acidic foods. Acidic foods can soften tooth enamel over time, making them more susceptible to decay. Sugar can also eat away at your teeth and cause cavities that can become a more serious problem. While it’s not always easy to completely avoid acidic and sugary foods, you can limit your consumption and drink water.
Keep Up With Regular Dental Care
One of the best ways to avoid dental emergencies is to keep up with dental visits for regular teeth cleaning. Your dentist can easily spot any problems before they can turn into serious health issues.
Steer Clear Of Sticky Foods if You Have Fillings or Crowns
Sticky foods like caramels, taffy, and gummy candies can loosen and pull out dental work such as fillings and crowns. These gooey goodies can expose the vulnerable enamel inviting in bacteria and increasing the risk of decay and infection. Avoid eating this food if you can.
Use these tips to reduce the risk of common dental emergencies such as toothaches, dental abscesses, broken or chipped teeth, and more.
We understand that accidents do happen. If you have a dental emergency, contact Loren J. Grossman & Steven Hippeli General & Cosmetic Dentistry as soon as possible. We can help you manage your pain and develop a customized care plan.
