The world is full of tripping hazards, harmful oral bacteria, and unadvisable uses for teeth that can cause injuries and infections that require immediate attention from a dental professional. While dental emergencies aren’t completely avoidable, there are certainly ways you can reduce the likelihood of one happening. Here are a few tips for keeping dental emergencies at a comfortable distance.
Be Wary of Consuming Too Much Sugar
The human brain is programmed to find sugar to be sweet and tasty, making it one of the most common ingredients in commercial foods. Sugar is rich in easily absorbed chemical energy, which makes it just as delicious to harmful bacteria as it is to you. If your mouth is exposed to too much sugar, these germs will multiply rapidly and excrete enamel-eroding acid. If this population of microbes isn’t regularly managed, it will begin infecting teeth, causing tooth decay and eventually severe toothaches that require immediate attention from a dentist.
Cutting back on your sugar consumption can prevent many nasty oral infections. Skip the candy and go with fruit instead. Soda is the nemesis of dentists everywhere, so swap it out for water as much as you can.
Practice Excellent Oral Hygiene
While eating a healthy diet can starve harmful oral bacterial populations to nonthreatening levels, it is not enough to keep your teeth healthy for a lifetime. Your teeth require a daily oral hygiene regimen to stay pretty and strong. An excellent routine includes:
- Brushing: Use a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to gently polish each tooth with short, circular strokes. Do this at least twice a day, after breakfast and before bed, but remember that it’s even better to brush between meals. Always take care to wait at least thirty minutes after eating before brushing.
- Flossing: Dental floss is a crucial part of oral hygiene because it can clean between the teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. If traditional floss isn’t to your taste, you can use floss picks or water flossers.
- Antibacterial mouthwash: This potion will kill more than 99% of harmful oral bacteria on contact. Look for the American Dental Association’s Seal of Approval on the label and take care to follow the instructions listed there. Never swallow mouthwash.
Wear a Mouthguard
Sometimes teeth need a little extra protection. While sports, bikes, and skateboards are all excellent ways to have fun and get exercise, they can also lead to dental injuries if you’re not careful. You can get a customized mouthguard from your dentist that will provide your teeth with the best protection available. If you grind your teeth in your sleep, you should get a mouthguard you can wear when you go to bed.
About the Author
Dr. Anil Patel earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in Los Angeles and has been at a private dental practice in Fort Worth, TX ever since. He is proud to be a Fellow of the International Dental Implant Association and a member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. His office offers general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. For more tips on avoiding dental emergencies, contact his office online or dial (817) 717-6788.