Sometimes in life, emergencies are unavoidable. Roads flood, heaters break on cold days, and toothaches can appear seemingly out of nowhere. But when it comes to your oral health, although you can’t always prevent the unthinkable, there are still ways you can reduce your risks. Here are four important tips that could help you do just that.
Maintain Your Hygiene
Brushing twice a day and flossing daily doesn’t just keep your teeth clean and breath fresh; it also helps prevent dental emergencies. You see, a tidy smile means your mouth has less dangerous oral bacteria, which in turn reduces your risk of cavities, gum disease, and tooth infections, which all could land you in the dental chair for an urgent procedure-like fillings, crowns or even periodontal therapy.
Wear a Mouthguard
Whether you play a sport or grind your teeth, it’s important to protect your smile from accidental injury with a mouthguard. Available directly from your dentist, a custom appliance can shield your teeth and gums from damage whether you’re roughhousing while awake or clenching your jaw while you sleep.
Watch What You Eat
Your diet plays a major role in your oral health. Dangerous oral bacteria responsible for cavities and gum disease thrive on excess sugars and carbohydrates in your mouth. Thus, to reduce the risk of harming your teeth and gums, eat a diet that’s packed full of healthy vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins, and keep the breads and sweets to a minimum.
Furthermore, be sure to only use your teeth for food. That means no biting your fingernails or using them to open packaging or chew pen caps. This will lower your risk of accidentally damaging them crunching something too hard!
Visit the Dentist
Finally, no dental routine is complete without the help of your dentist. The American Dental Association recommends having regular exams and cleanings every six months to ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy and strong. At these visits, your dental team will not only remove excess plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth, but they will also screen your smile for unseen dangers like cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer, preventing future dental emergencies.
Remember, while there are some emergencies that are simply unavoidable, with these tips in mind, preventing dental emergencies could be easier than you think!
About Our Practice
At Distinctive Dentistry, our talented team of dentists and dental professionals want to keep your smile healthy and strong for a lifetime. Don’t let painful and expensive dental emergencies take you by surprise. Schedule your preventive exam and cleaning today and lower your risk of having an urgent dental emergency! To book your check-up, visit our website or call us today at 770-445-6606.
