Ways You Can Prevent a Dental Emergency

Preventing a dental emergency is important for avoiding unnecessary dental pain, time and expense. If one can avoid a dental emergency, it is necessary to take the steps to do so. Preventative care will make it unlikely that you will need to take time off of work suddenly, need to spend a lot of money at the dentist or have to go to the emergency room.

Here are tips for avoiding a dental emergency

Following these tips will make it more likely that teeth remain in good health and free from damage.

#1. Visit a dentist on a regular basis

If teeth are healthy, they will be stronger and less likely to suffer damage or an infection. Visiting a dentist on a regular basis is the best way to keep teeth in good health. If there are early signs of decay, it can be treated right away.

If left untreated, that decay could spread and lead to serious toothaches, a dental infection and a dental emergency. There is no need to wake up in throbbing pain from decay when regular appointments can treat the problem before it causes an issue.

#2. Wear a mouthguard when playing sports

Children and adults who play sports often suffer from dental damage like a cracked or chipped tooth. Some will even lose teeth while practicing or playing sports. This is not reserved for football or hockey but can happen in any sport like basketball, soccer and baseball. Wearing a custom mouthguard can protect the teeth and make it possible to avoid this type of accident in a dental emergency.

#3. Do not eat anything too hard or something that is not edible

Biting down on a jawbreaker candy or chewing on a pencil can lead to a dental emergency because it can cause a tooth to become cracked or chipped. Even chewing on ice is dangerous since it can subtly chip away at the enamel and lead to tooth sensitivity.

#4. Use teeth for eating – not as scissors

People must never use teeth to open a package, gift or a bag. Many people bite down on things to open them but this is unwise and can lead to a tooth being pulled out or damaged.

#5. Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet can remineralize and strengthen the teeth which make them less likely to become damaged. Eating things like lean protein, nuts, dairy and vegetables will help to keep teeth strong and make it possible for them to fight off decay. On the other hand, eating foods that are high in sugar or acid will lead to enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity and increase the likelihood of dental decay forming.

#6. Brush and floss

Brushing and flossing throughout the day is a necessary step for removing food particles and plaque. Doing so will help to prevent a dental emergency because teeth will be healthier and less likely to suffer from decay.

Learn more about preventing a dental emergency

For more information on how to prevent a dental emergency, call our office and schedule an appointment.