No one wants to experience a dental emergency, but sometimes they happen when we least expect them. Fortunately, there are ways you can actively avoid having to get an urgent treatment. Read on as your dentist in Indianapolis provides five tips for preventing dental emergencies.
Tip #1: Watch Your Oral Health
Your teeth should never hurt or feel uncomfortable, and if they do you should go ahead and talk to your dentist. Even if you aren’t sure if it’s an emergency, it’s better to be safe than sorry. You should also monitor the other parts of your mouth as well, like your tongue and gums, to make sure other issues aren’t developing.
Tip #2: Keep A Good Dental Hygiene Routine
Brushing and flossing every day is the best way to prevent problems in the future. By doing so, you help keep your teeth clean from bacteria and plaque buildup, which could lead to infections or gum disease. Make sure to brush for at least two minutes twice a day for the best results. You might even want to look into electric toothbrushes or Waterpik water flossers to clean the hard-to-reach places.
Tip #3: Regularly Replace Your Toothbrush
Your toothbrush is only effective when the bristles are clean and sturdy. If they aren’t, they won’t be as efficient at removing plaque from your teeth. After two or three months, or if they look worn out, they should be replaced.
Tip #4: Limit How Often You Eat Sugar
When you eat sugars often, it increases the acidity in your mouth. This is due to bacteria feeding off the sugars and producing acid by-product, which attacks and weakens the enamel. To avoid this, you could either reduce the times you eat sugary foods or include them as part of your main three meals a day.
Tip #5: Protect Yourself from Injuries
If you enjoy playing sports or doing physical activities, then you might want to invest in mouthguards to protect your teeth. You’ll want to ensure you aren’t at risk of cracking or knocking out a tooth from an injury. Ask your dentist to see if they provide this protective gear.
While a dental emergency can happen at any time, you now have steps to help minimize your risk of one! In addition, a regular visit to your dentist always helps to monitor your dental health and treat any developing issues they might find.
About the Practice
Indianapolis Family Dentistry offers multiple dental treatments using the latest in advanced technology for the utmost comfort. With a passion for helping families maintain healthy smiles, their team is happy to treat dental emergencies and can also provide athletic mouthguards if you need them. Want to know how else you can avoid a dental emergency? Visit their website or call them at (317) 898-3384.