While it is always a good idea to have an emergency dentist on call, individuals can avoid a dental emergency and all the pain, cost and hassle that comes with one by taking preventative measures. In many cases, this simply entails adopting healthy lifestyle habits.
Dental emergencies, which range from toothache to fractured teeth to abscesses, can be painful and costly. Many dental emergencies also come with the high risk of severe gum bleeding and even tooth loss. For these reasons and more, patients should take precautions to prevent dental emergencies from occurring entirely.
One of the easiest ways patients can avoid dental emergencies is by practicing good oral hygiene. The majority of dental emergencies involve severe tooth decay and rot, both of which can lead to dental abscesses, broken or chipped teeth, jaw bone deterioration and tooth loss. Regular brushing and flossing, paired with routine dental visits, can help keep the mouth clean and clear of bacteria and decay-causing cavities.
Stress can take a toll on all aspects of a person’s health, including dental health. Stress often causes individuals to engage in activities that can either cause or exacerbate existing oral health issues. Such activities include chewing on pens and other objects, clenching the jaw, nail-biting and teeth grinding. Each of these activities can crack or weaken the teeth or stress the nerves in the back of the jaw.
Many people try to stop engaging in these stress-related habits by adopting other forms of stress relief. Others find it is easier to tackle the source of the stress so that there is no desire to engage in the habits.
Certain foods, like certain habits, can damage the teeth if a person is not careful. Ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy are all examples of foods people commonly chew that can crack, chip or even break the teeth. Once a tooth becomes cracked, bacteria can easily enter the fissure and hide there, away from floss or a toothbrush. That bacteria can lead to cavities, tooth rot or, in some cases, a dental abscess. Avoiding hard foods may prove to be difficult at first, but doing so is well worth the self-control, as avoidance can prevent costly and painful dental emergencies.
Many dental emergencies occur during sporting events. Individuals who participate in sports, especially contact sports, should wear mouthguards to absorb heavy blows to the mouth and protect the teeth from sustaining damage.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Emergency Dentist in Weatherford, TX.
Biannual dental examinations and cleanings are necessary to detect possible problems early on and to prevent issues from becoming more costly or extensive than they need to be. Additionally, a dentist can remove stubborn plaque, which can cause decay, as well as provide advice for what patients can do to reverse early dental carries.
Avoiding the need for the care of an emergency dentist does not have to be difficult. By following the above advice, you can protect your teeth and avoid a possibly costly and painful dental situation.
Request an appointment or call Millar Family Dentistry at 817-885-5214 for an appointment in our Weatherford office.
Breaking a molar is classified as a dental emergency. It is one of those things most people would rather not deal with, but it can occur regardless of how healthy one's teeth are.First off, a broken tooth should not be confused with a chipped or cracked one. Most chips and cracks do not require immediate…
A dental emergency can strike at any time and with no warning. Perhaps a person is playing a game of touch football on Thanksgiving and a family member decides to up the ante and a tackle comes into play, accidentally knocking out two front teeth. Or maybe on vacation in the tropics, someone decides to…
There is only so much that an individual can do to prepare for a dental emergency. No matter what preventative measures one takes, there is always the chance of an accident damaging the teeth. In other cases, an infection can suddenly cause incredible pain in certain teeth and require emergency treatment. If someone falls and…
You know how to care for your dentures, but you may not know much about denture repair. However, even by taking care of your dentures, you may still have an accident. Things just break sometimes, including dentures. If you damage your dentures, here is what you can do.Broken dentures are considered a dental emergency. However,…
A dental crowns, also called a cap, forms the tooth's outer covering, protecting the tooth from decay and damage. A crown does not eliminate the need to visit your dentist in the future; you will still need to have your teeth professionally cleaned and examined regularly by your dentist. However, it can certainly help restore…