Accidents happen, as they say, and that includes dental emergencies. But while not all can be avoided, when it comes to your smile there are a few behaviors you can practice and habits you can avoid to reduce your risk of needing urgent oral health care. Here are some ways you can protect yourself from having a painful dental problem in the future, so your smile stays safe and healthy for a lifetime!
Brush and Floss
It goes without saying that you should brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day. The great news is that these two seemingly routine activities can do a lot to help prevent a variety of painful dental emergencies. Thus, even when you don’t feel like doing much of anything, make sure you brush and floss your teeth to prevent future problems.
Use the Right Tools for the Job
You wouldn’t cut down a tree with a spoon, nor should you use your teeth to open packages, bite your fingernails, chew on pen caps, or anything other than what they were intended for. Furthermore, be selective about the types of foods you decide to chew. Crunching on things like ice cubes and hard candies can be dangerous to your enamel, so avoid these habits if possible.
Quit the Grind
Are you a tooth grinder? Known as bruxism, grinding your teeth is a common behavior that many people do at night or during times of high stress. If this sounds like you, speak to your dentist about getting a custom bite guard made. This can help protect your teeth from accidental damage due to the excess pressure and force placed on them.
Be a Good Sport
Do you play sports? If there’s ever any danger that you could injure your mouth, be sure to speak to your dentist about getting a custom mouthguard made. These can prevent your teeth from being damaged when hit by a ball, elbow, flying hockey stick, or anything else that may come your way during your athletic activity.
Visit Your Dentist
Your dentist loves seeing patients like you on a regular basis. It not only helps them get to know you on a more personal level, but it also helps them care for your teeth and gums. Regular dental checkups and cleaning appointments ensure that your teeth are as clean as possible, all the while screening you for potentially painful dental emergencies like gum disease, cavities, tooth infections, and oral cancer.
Act Quickly
While a toothache, bleeding gums, or an abscess may mean it’s too late to prevent a dental emergency, the sooner you treat this type of problem, the better your prognosis may be. If left untreated, infections and cavities can worsen, causing even more painful, expensive damage to your smile. Thus, don’t wait to seek help if you are experiencing a dental emergency. The sooner you receive care, the better!
Remember, while it may not always be possible to prevent dental emergencies, with these tips you can reduce your risk of painful and expensive oral health problems that could cost you your smile!
About Our Practice
Dr. Justyna Laska knew from the age of six that she wanted to be a dentist! Thankfully, she loves what she does, because she never actually gave herself a backup plan. Better yet, her patients love her too. Maybe that’s why she’s been voted the “Best Dentist in Fort Worth” by Fort Worth Magazine multiple times and a “Top Dentist in Fort Worth” by her peers for 16 years running!
If you have a dental emergency, it’s not too late to get help. Please call Dr. Laska as soon as possible for help. We offer same-day emergency appointments, as well as snuggles from our fluffy goldendoodle, Trinity, who is on hand to help keep you calm during treatment! For fastest care, please call 817-737-9555.