Try though you might, it’s impossible to predict exactly when a dental emergency will occur because accidents can happen at any given moment. Whether you’ve bitten into something hard and lost a restoration or took a blow to the face during a football game that knocked out a tooth, you’re likely feeling shocked, anxious, and in pain. Though you can’t stop the event itself, there are things you can do to minimize damage if or when something goes down. Keep reading to learn 3 ways to avoid a dental emergency!
#1: Maintain Your Dental Hygiene Routine
If the structure of your tooth is compromised and you bite down into something hard or sticky, you’re much more likely to break it. Therefore, preventative care is one of the best ways to keep your teeth and gums strong enough to resist harm. Consistently brushing and flossing twice a day eradicates dangerous bacteria that contribute to tooth decay, which weakens your tooth. Use toothpaste with fluoride to restore your enamel for added protection.
#2: Be Aware of Issues
It’s important to pay attention to what’s happening in your mouth so that you can address problems before they progress into something worse. If you have a toothache, for example, you might have a cavity. It won’t resolve itself and ignoring it could mean an emergency root canal down the road.
Also, if you notice changes or sore spots on your tongue, lips, or the inside of your mouth that don’t heal, it’s time for a professional examination. This could be symptomatic of issues like gum disease or oral cancer and should be addressed sooner rather than later. Paying attention to your condition can keep you from needing complex or emergency treatments.
#3: Wear a Mouthguard
Those who participate in contact sports or martial arts are taking a chance on their teeth. It’s not uncommon for an opponent to knock you across the face hard enough that a tooth pops out of place. Fortunately, mouthguards mitigate the force of any blow by evenly distributing it across your teeth. That means that no individual pearly white sustains the brunt of the damage and is less likely to be broken or dislodged. Even if your league, school, or organization doesn’t require it, it’s a good idea to have one!
Protecting your teeth with consistent healthy habits and the right equipment builds your resilience so that if something happens, you don’t end up in the dentists’ chair.
About the Practice
At Pleasant Grove Family Dentistry, you and your crew benefit from two dentists who provide a wide range of services under one roof, including handling dental emergencies. We have same-day appointments so that if something has happened, you don’t have to wait for solutions. With state-of-the-art technology, we can provide the most up-to-date treatments for effective, long-lasting results. If something has happened and you need help, you’re welcome to contact us for assistance on the website or by calling (903) 838-9700.