As they say, accidents happen. Plans fall through, unexpected developments occur, and people commit mistakes. These “accidents” can even take the form of dental emergencies. But you can take steps to make mishaps less frequent, including those related to oral health.
Here are three crucial tips for avoiding a dental emergency. Learning and following them will help your smile stay away from misfortune!
Practice Regular Dental Care
The best way to avoid a dental emergency is to practice good oral hygiene at home and at the dentist’s office.
Home dental care will take the form of a regular cleaning routine. That means brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing once daily, and rinsing your mouth when necessary. Brush for at least two minutes to ensure all your tooth surfaces are cleaned. Rushing the task will leave behind food particles and bacteria that could cause problems down the road.
It’s best to visit your dentist for checkups at least twice a year. Professional teeth cleanings remove plaque, bacteria, and other substances that regular toothbrushes can’t. A dentist is also able to catch and treat potential issues before they become more significant.
Eat Orally Healthy Foods
Maintaining a healthy diet will keep foods and drinks from damaging your mouth.
First, lay off the overly sweet stuff. Sugars and complex starches stimulate the growth of mouth bacteria that hurt enamel. Use a straw to block sugary beverages from touching your teeth if possible. You could also eat mouth-healthy foods like apples, carrots, celery, or nuts as a substitute for sugar.
Try to be careful of hard foods as well. Nuts, popcorn kernels, ice, and candies are known to crack or chip teeth when bitten with too much force. The resulting tooth fracture might need immediate treatment.
Prevent Accidents
Last but not least, fend off emergencies by preventing dental injuries. For example, people can avert harm to their teeth by wearing a seatbelt in a car. They could also do so through proper behavior around swimming pools — no running, roughhousing, reckless diving, etc.
However, a mouthguard might be the most effective for oral injury prevention. You would stop many tooth-related accidents in sports with one. A night guard would also be suitable for those prone to grinding their teeth while sleeping.
While you can’t foil all dental emergencies, you have the power to reduce their likelihood. Remember the tips above, so your mouth will be safer from danger!
About the Author
Dr. Cody Calderwood is a top dentist in the Park City, Utah, community. He performs excellently in preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. Furthermore, he is also qualified in sedation and emergency dental services. Such ability is bolstered by his use of the latest dental technology. His skill even earned him a term as president of the Utah Dental Association. Dr. Calderwood currently practices at Park City Dentistry and can be reached at his website or by phone at (435)-649-4343.