As with other health emergencies, dental emergencies are urgent and dangerous. But you do not need to wait until you are in this tough situation before you take action. While you have a healthy smile, there are many things you can do to prevent a dental emergency from taking place. These include the following:
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing them once every day can keep them in shape. Also, you must see a Tampa family dentist for a thorough dental cleaning and checkup every six months. Regular brushing and flossing can remove plaque, which damages your teeth and results in tooth decay or gum disease. However, brushing and flossing may not be enough to get rid of all the plaque. This is the reason you must get your teeth cleaned by your dentist. Also, regular dental checkups let your dentist examine your mouth for any signs of issues. This way, they can treat oral health issues before they become a dental emergency.
Watch What You Eat and Drink
Whenever you consume carbohydrates, plaque forms on your teeth. Unless you brush and floss away plaque, it will be consumed by some mouth bacteria, which produce enamel-damaging acids. This increases your risk of experiencing tooth decay and gum disease. Therefore, try to stay away from sugary food and beverages and ensure you consume lots of water for optimal hydration.
Manage Your Stress
Did you know that stress can have negative impacts on your oral health? Whenever you are stressed, you may bite or chew on hard items such as pencils or caps to relieve your emotions. Also, teeth clenching and grinding are associated with stress, resulting in jaw pain. Due to stress, you may not be able to resist sugary foods, increasing your risk of tooth decay.
Learning to manage your stress can benefit both your mental and oral health. In addition, your dentist can help with your symptoms. For instance, if you have a teeth-grinding habit, they can make a custom nightguard that you can wear as you sleep to protect your teeth and avoid a dental emergency.
Seek Immediate Treatment for Dental Pain
If you sustain a toothache, you must address it right away. Pain can indicate that something is wrong with your mouth. Getting fast treatment can prevent the need for extensive oral surgery. Your dentist will examine your mouth to determine the cause of the pain and give appropriate treatment.
