How to Avoid Dental Emergencies

If you’ve experienced a dental emergency in the past, you know how stressful they can be. They never happen at a good time, and it can be difficult to figure out what to do when you are experiencing a lot of pain. While not all dental emergencies are preventable, many of them are. By taking the right steps, you can significantly lower your risk of developing an oral health problem. Here are some tips to help you keep your smile safe.

Notice Sudden Changes

If you feel pain in your mouth out of nowhere, or your toothache disappears without any probable cause, you should see your dentist immediately. By addressing these symptoms early on, you are more likely to have them treated before becoming serious. For instance, if you have a severe toothache that vanishes, you may have an infection that has killed the nerve inside your tooth. By getting immediate dental attention, you are more likely to keep your tooth.

Excellent Oral Hygiene

Be sure that you are brushing twice and flossing once daily to remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria from your teeth and gums. This way, you can avoid dental problems, like tooth decay and gum disease. Replace your toothbrush every three months or once it starts to look frayed.

Reduce Sugar Intake

The bacteria in your mouth feed off sugar and release acid as a by-product. This is a problem because acid attacks your enamel by removing essential minerals. Ultimately, this increases your likelihood of developing tooth decay.

Use a Mouthguard

You need to stay active in order to stay healthy, but some sports are risky for your teeth. If there is a chance that you could endure a blow to the mouth, you should be wearing a mouthguard. This will reduce your likelihood of experiencing a dental injury.

Drink Water

Stay hydrated so that you can product an adequate amount of saliva. This is necessary to wash away food debris and to maintain a neutral pH level. It also contains specific minerals that help to protect your teeth so that you don’t experience decay.

Visit Your Dentist

Even if you are very diligent about brushing and flossing, you still need to see your dentist for preventive care. Your hygienist removes plaque and tartar from places you can’t reach. Your dentist checks for abnormalities that could point to an oral health problem or another issue in the body.

No one wants to experience a dental emergency, so follow the tips listed above! This way, you can keep your smile safe from harm!

About the Practice

At Dental Expressions in Freedom, WI, you have two experienced dentists providing professional, personalized care at their office in Freedom, WI. Both Dr. Robert Heil and Dr. Heather Heil earned their dental degrees from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in Minneapolis and have been practicing for over twenty years. For more ways to keep your smile healthy or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (920) 788-6280.