If you have ever experienced a dental emergency, you know how frustrating and stressful they can be. They never happen at a convenient time, and it is difficult to know what to do when you are in a lot of pain. Not all dental emergencies can be prevented, but there are steps that you can take to significantly reduce your likelihood of dealing with one. Continue reading to learn some dental emergency prevention tips from a dentist in Danville.
Look Out for Sudden Changes
If you start feeling pain in the mouth out of nowhere, or a toothache disappears with no probable cause, this is something that you should bring up to your dentist. By catching these issues early on, you can have them treated before they become serious. For instance, if you have a severe toothache that disappears, this could mean that an infection has killed the nerve on the inside or your tooth. By seeing a dentist right away, they will be more likely to be able to save your tooth.
Excellent Oral Hygiene
You need to brush twice and floss once every day in order to remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria from your teeth and gums. This way, you are less likely to develop common oral health issues, like cavities and gum disease. Replace your toothbrush every three months or when it starts to look frayed. Having proper dental tools is necessary for excellent oral hygiene.
Limit Your Sugar Intake
When you eat sugary foods, bacteria feed off of them and release an acid as a by-product. This is a problem because it attacks your protective tooth enamel by removing essential minerals. In the end, you are more likely to develop tooth decay. When you decide that you want something sugary, try to include it as part of one of your main meals so you reduce the amount of time that your mouth is vulnerable to damage.
Use a Mouthguard
Staying active is essential for your health, but contact sports can be risky for your smile. If there is a chance that you could receive a blow to the mouth, remember to wear a mouthguard. Dental injuries happen all the time when playing sports, and many of them can be prevented by using this device.
Stay Hydrated
You should be drinking plenty of water so that you stay hydrated enough to produce an adequate amount of saliva. Saliva is necessary to wash away food debris and maintain a neutral pH level. It contains specific minerals that help to protect your teeth so that you don’t encounter decay.
Visit Your Dentist
Even if you are an excellent brusher and flosser, you still need to see your dentist for preventive care. Your hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from places that you can’t reach, and your dentist checks for preexisting issues so they can be resolved before becoming more serious.
Dental emergencies aren’t fun to deal with, so they are best avoided. By using the tips listed above, you can protect your smile from harm.
About the Practice
At Danville Dental Associates, there is a team of skilled and passionate dentists providing quality care to their patients in Danville and Chatham. With their combined expertise, you can get just about anything you need at one of their six locations. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (434) 822-0500.