When it comes to staying safe in your everyday life, there are many things you can do to prevent accidents. When it’s icy outside, you probably sprinkle salt on your walkway. When you drive to work, you (hopefully!) use your turn signals to alert other drivers that you’re changing lanes, and as early as childhood, you’re taught to look both ways when you cross the street. But what about your oral health? When it comes to preventing painful dental emergencies, there’s plenty you can do to lower your risk and keep your teeth looking and feeling their best. In that spirit, here are five easy ways you can avoid a trip to the emergency dentist!
Stay on Top of Your Oral Hygiene
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene may seem like it’s “too easy” of a solution to prevent dental emergencies, but the truth is, that’s often all it takes. Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, and avoid dangerous habits like smoking and vaping, which can dry out your mouth and increase your risk of cavities, gum disease, and even systemic issues like cancer and heart disease.
Checkup & Check-in
Even if you have a glistening white smile, it is still very important to visit your dentist every six months for your regular checkups and cleanings. These appointments not only help keep your teeth clean by removing deposits of tartar and plaque you may not even see, but they can also spotlight dangerous oral health problems like cavities and gum disease that you might not notice on your own. Although these issues may be minor at first, if not treated promptly, they could eventually lead to bigger and more painful problems that may land you in the emergency dental chair later!
Keep Your Guard Up
Whether you grind your teeth, play sports, or clench your jaw in times of stress, it is important to protect your smile with the help of a mouthguard or sports guard. These comfortable, customized appliances cushion your teeth so they don’t incur excessive damage from pressure or accidental force that could result in broken teeth, lockjaw, or another dental emergency!
Use the Right Tools
Sometimes it can be a pain to find the right tool to open a stubborn package or tear a tab off the top of your barbecue sauce, but truth be told, your teeth should never be used as a substitute. While yes, it may be easier or more convenient to use your mouth, this can easily damage your teeth and cause a painful dental emergency. Thus, take a few extra seconds to find the correct instrument for your task so you don’t wind up chipping, cracking, or losing a tooth accidentally!
Don’t Wait to Get Help
Sometimes, dental emergencies happen whether you did your best to prevent them or not. However, regardless of why they happen, it is important to treat them promptly if they happen. Because oral health problems rarely clear up on their own, immediate treatment from your dentist can stop them from getting worse and could even be the difference between a minor procedure like a filling and a more expensive and painful procedure like a root canal or extraction!
Remember, in many cases, preventing dental emergencies is easier than you think. Thus, to safeguard your smile and keep your natural teeth looking and feeling their best, be sure to abide by these five helpful tips and you’ll give your gorgeous grin the best odds possible for a long, healthy life!
About Our Practice
At Great Lakes Dental Excellence, Dr. DeBellis and Dr. Van de Vyver want to see you on your terms! Whether you need a checkup and cleaning, want to upgrade your smile with cosmetic dentistry, or you’re suffering from a painful dental emergency, our team is here to help. To schedule an appointment, visit our website, or for faster service call us today at 586-725-5500.