In life, emergencies happen, and sometimes there’s no easy way to prevent them. But when it comes to your oral health, accidental injury can often be stopped before it ever has a chance of occurring. Here are five important tips for preventing dental emergencies that will help save your time, money, and your smile!
Daily Hygiene
Maintaining a thorough oral hygiene routine is the easiest and most-effective way to prevent dental emergencies. Keeping your teeth and gums clean can help you prevent a variety of problems including cavities, tooth decay, infections, and gum disease, all of which can land you in the emergency dentist’s chair. Thus, be sure to brush your teeth twice a day, and floss at least once a day for optimal health!
Mouth Guards
Whether you play a sport or grind your teeth (bruxism) it is important to keep them safe from injury with a mouth guard. Sports injuries are hard to prevent, but these devices can protect your teeth and absorb the impact during play.
Bruxism can cause your teeth to chip, crack, or wear excessively. Bite guards absorb the pressure, safeguarding your teeth and preventing accidental damage.
Regular Dental Visits
Going to the dentist twice a year is an important step in your oral care routine. While you may not think you need to go that often because your teeth look and feel good, your biannual exam and cleaning are about more than just appearances. In addition to plaque and tartar removal, your dentist also screens you for oral cancer, cavities, gum disease and a variety of other painful oral health conditions. Missing one appointment may not seem like a big deal, but six months could be the difference between your dentist discovering a small, reversible cavity or a much larger one that needs a filling a few months later.
A Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet is good for the body and the mouth. That’s because the bacteria in your mouth that are responsible for cavities and gum disease thrive on sugar and carbohydrates. Eating a diet that is low in these foods can help protect your mouth from an overabundance of these bad bacteria, keeping your risk of oral health issues low. Thus, be sure to fill your diet with plenty of lean protein, fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats like nuts and seeds, and lots of water!
Observe Changes
You know your mouth better than anyone, and if something feels off, you may be the first to notice. Should you observe any changes in your oral health, whether it be a toothache, sensitivity, or a lump on your gums, don’t wait until your regular appointment to let your dentist know. Treating an oral health problem as early as possible can help prevent it from getting worse, which could not only be increasingly painful, but it could cost you even more money and maybe even your teeth!
Remember, while not every dental emergency is preventable, there are still many things you can do to reduce your risk of winding up in the dentist’s chair outside of your regular biannual exam and cleaning appointments. Save time, money, and your smile and try these five tips to avoid a dental emergency!
About Dr. Chaudhari
Dr. Girish Chaudhari earned his bachelor’s degree in dentistry in his native India before coming to the United States and obtaining his master’s degree in public health from the University of North Texas Health Science Center and graduating from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. He has also completed extensive continuing education on dental procedures such as laser treatment, Invisalign, and dental implants through Live Implant Training.
Dr. Chaudhari is an active member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, and the North Texas Dental Society.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please call Fountain Park Dental directly for faster care. We offer same day, after hours, and weekend care, and can be reached at 972-899-7990.