If you’ve experienced a dental emergency, you know how frustrating and stressful they can be. They never seem to happen at a convenient time, and it is difficult to know what to do when you are in a lot of pain. Not all dental emergencies can be prevented, but there are steps that you can take to significantly reduce your likelihood of dealing with one. Continue reading to learn some tips that can help you prevent a dental emergency.
Look Out for Changes
If you begin to feel pain in your mouth out of the blue, or a toothache disappears suddenly, you should bring these up with your dentist. By catching these issues early on, you can have them treated before they become serious. For instance, if you have a severe toothache that disappears, this could mean that an infection has killed the nerve on the inside of your tooth. By seeing a dentist right away, they will be more likely to be able to save your tooth.
Excellent Oral Hygiene
You should be brushing twice and flossing every day to remove food particles, plaque, and harmful bacteria from your teeth and gums. This way, you are less likely to develop common oral health issues, like cavities and gum disease. Replace your toothbrush every three months or when it begins to look frayed. Having proper dental tools is necessary for excellent oral hygiene.
Limit Your Sugar Intake
When you eat easy foods, bacteria feed off them and release an acid as a by-product. This is a problem because it attacks your protective tooth enamel by removing essential minerals. Ultimately, you are more likely to develop cavities. When you decide to have a sugary treat, try to include it as part of one of your main meals so you can reduce the amount of time that your mouth is vulnerable to damage.
Use a Mouthguard
Staying active is essential for your health, but contact sports can be risky for your smile. If there is a chance that you could receive a blow to the mouth, remember to wear a mouthguard. Dental injuries happen all the time when playing sports, and many of them can be prevented with a mouthguard.
Stay Hydrated
You should be drinking plenty of water so that you stay hydrated enough to produce an adequate amount of saliva. Saliva is necessary to wash away food debris and maintain a neutral pH level. It contains specific minerals that help to protect your teeth so that you don’t encounter decay.
See Your Dentist
Even if you are the most disciplined brusher and flosser in the world, there are still going to be places that you miss. This is where your routine cleanings and checkups come in. Your hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from places that you cannot reach, and your dentist checks for preexisting issues so they can be resolved before becoming more serious.
Dental emergencies are never ideal, so it’s best to prevent them when possible. By using the tips listed above, you can protect your smile from harm!
About the Practice
At Patriot Dental, Dr. Keith Lisonbee and Dr. Dan Henry work together to treat patients in the Pensacola community. They offer same-day treatment for patients who are experiencing dental emergencies. To learn more about emergency dentistry or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (850) 477-1120.