How To Prevent Dental Emergencies?

A dental emergency is any situation that requires immediate attention to relieve pain or prevent permanent damage to your teeth, gums, or jaw. The most common dental emergencies include the following:

• Dental pain and sensitivity to hot or cold foods, liquids, and air
• Chipped or broken tooth
• Knocked-out tooth
• Jaw pain or discomfort
• Gum irritation and swelling
• Broken or loose restorations
• Broken orthodontics
• Soft-tissue injuries

Tips To Prevent Dental Emergencies

• Make sure you brush at least twice a day for two minutes at a time with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. This will help remove plaque buildup and food debris from the surfaces of your teeth. You should also floss daily to remove food debris from between teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach.
• Use antiseptic mouthwash to prevent bacteria buildup in your mouth. Look for one that contains fluoride to help strengthen your teeth against cavities. Mouthwash helps remove debris from your mouth and reduce plaque. You should also use it after brushing and flossing to keep bacteria at bay. When you rinse with it, you’re also rinsing away food particles that can become trapped between teeth, causing cavities or gum disease.
• Get regular cleanings and examinations to make sure any small issues are caught and treated before they become a more serious problem. Even if there are no obvious issues going on with your oral health, you can discuss other prevention methods with your dentist, like night guards for bruxism or a mouth guard if you play sports.
• Avoid chewing ice, hard candy, or other inedible objects. This can crack or break teeth and lead to other damage.
• Don’t use your teeth to open packages, bottles, or other containers. This can also cause damage to them.
• Wear mouthguards when participating in sports to prevent injuries to your mouth and face.
• Use scissors to cut food into small pieces instead of biting down on it. This helps avoid putting too much pressure on your teeth.
• Stop smoking or using tobacco products to protect your oral health and improve your overall health.
• Eat balanced meals, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Eating well helps promote good oral health as well as overall health.

By visiting the dentist regularly and maintaining good brushing and flossing habits at home, you can avoid most dental emergencies. If you do have a problem, however, be sure to call your dentist as soon as possible to schedule an appointment and avoid further damage to your mouth. Don’t put off emergency dental treatment. If a tooth breaks or you knock out a tooth, it’s important to see a dentist right away. The sooner your tooth is restored, the better your chances of maintaining its health and avoiding complications down the road.

Schedule an appointment with South Friendswood Dental Associates for comprehensive oral care. We are located at 699 S Friendswood Dr., Suite #108, Friendswood, TX 77546. Contact us at (281) 482-7731 or visit our website to book an appointment.