We all dread the prospect of a dental emergency – the pain, the inconvenience, the uncertainty. The good news is that we can take preventative measures. Today, our Calgary dentists offer tips on how to accomplish this.
What is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any dental problem that requires immediate attention from a dentist. This can include:
- Severe or persistent toothache that can’t be addressed with over-the-counter pain medications
- Severe swelling on your face or in your mouth
- Knocked out, chipped or broken teeth
- Lost crowns or fillings
- Cuts to the lip or tongue
Any of these can cause pain, discomfort or damage to your teeth that need to be treated quickly by a dentist.
How can I avoid dental emergencies?
How can we avoid having a dental emergency now that we understand what one is? While dental emergencies can occur for a variety of reasons and despite our best efforts, we can always take precautions to minimize our risk of sustaining an injury to our gums, teeth, or jaw.
Use your teeth for chewing food only.
Many of us use our teeth for purposes other than chewing food. However, this is an easy way to chip or injure them, as you expose your teeth, inner cheeks, lips, and gums to harm.
Take the extra time to find the appropriate tools such as scissors, and save your teeth for chewing food.
Wear a sports mouthguard.
Are you involved in sports or other physically strenuous activities? While these are excellent for getting your blood pumping and staying physically active, they can also be dangerous due to the risk of head, face, or neck impacts.
These blows can easily result in serious injuries that necessitate dental treatment. To avoid these scenarios, always wear a custom-made mouthguard to safeguard your teeth and mouth.
Cut back on sugary foods.
We all enjoy snacks, and a late-afternoon sugar rush can be extremely enticing. However, sugar contributes to plaque and bacteria buildup, which results in tooth decay, cavities, tooth wear, and gum disease, all of which can result in dental emergencies. Additionally, hard candy, popcorn kernels, and other foods can pose a hazard.
Stock up on crunchy vegetables such as carrots and healthier soft foods such as yogurt the next time you're at the grocery store. After a few weeks of avoiding hard, chewy sugary foods, you'll barely notice their absence from your diet - and your teeth will be grateful.
Maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine at home.
Part of avoiding dental emergencies involves preparation and day-to-day maintenance. Dental emergencies sometimes happen as a result of tooth decay or painful cavities.
Maintaining a rigorous oral hygiene routine can reduce the chances of these. Remember to brush twice daily for two minutes each time and floss at least once per day.
Visit your dentist regularly.
Along with an oral hygiene routine, it is critical to visit the dentist regularly for hygiene cleanings and exams. They can not only clean your teeth with professional-grade tools but can also detect potential dental problems early on, assisting you in avoiding dental emergencies.