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Avoiding Dental Injuries Before They Ever Happen
Dental injuries can be painful, anxiety-inducing, and inconvenient. While accidents aren’t completely avoidable, there are a few best practices that can protect your smile from the most common dental emergencies. That way, you can prevent your otherwise stress-free day from turning into hours with your emergency dentist in Phoenix, AZ! If you have specific questions about handling a dental injury, don’t hesitate to contact our office for immediate assistance. Otherwise, keep reading to learn the best ways to prevent dental emergencies.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
When it comes to the health of your teeth and gums, no one is a greater ally than your dentist. At your routine appointments, they can catch gum disease in the early stages, remove stubborn plaque and tartar, and clean the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth, all of which can help prevent dental emergencies. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that you visit your dentist every six months for a professional checkup and cleaning.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits At Home
You know what they say, “The secret of your success is found in your daily routine!” And your oral hygiene regimen is no exception. By brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and using mouthwash regularly, you can help keep your oral health in pristine condition. That way, cracks, fractures, and infections are significantly less likely to occur. With this in mind, make sure to always complete your entire dental care routine both morning and night.
Stick to a Nutritious Diet
From ice-cold soda and ooey-gooey brownies to mouth-puckering sour candy, there are quite a few foods that your taste buds love and your teeth hate. While indulging on occasion is perfectly okay, excessive consumption can lead to enamel erosion and severe decay, even if you complete your oral hygiene routine shortly after. Fortunately, you can keep your teeth healthy from the inside-out by sticking to a nutrient-dense diet, filled with leafy greens, fresh fruit, and good sources of calcium.
Wear A Mouthguard
A custom-made mouthguard is far superior to the over-the-counter, one-size-fits-all options at your local store, especially if you participate in a sport or grind your teeth at night. Since both can leave you vulnerable to dental damage, like a knocked-out or fractured tooth, it is important to be vigilant about wearing one consistently. Otherwise, your game or peaceful night’s sleep can end with an urgent trip to the dentist.
Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth
When the scissors are out of reach or the bottle opener is in the other room, it can be tempting to use your teeth out of sheer convenience. And while the item in your hand may be the one to give the majority of the time, all it takes is one attempt for your teeth to break with a loud CRACK! The good news is that you can prevent this from happening to your pearly whites by always opting for the right tool or asking for a helping hand instead.
To avoid the anxiety, stress, and pain associated with dental emergencies, it’s a good idea to practice proper prevention. However, if you do sustain a dental injury, our dentist in Phoenix, AZ is just one phone call away!
