How to Avoid a Dental Emergency: Tips from Gasior Family Dental in Northville, MI
No one wants to wake up with a toothache. But it’s important that you pay attention to dental pain and discomfort. Pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Fortunately, there are plenty of things within your power to do to avoid a dental emergency. And it starts with building healthy oral habits over time, such as brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once daily.
Preventive dentistry will protect your smile in the long run. Here are our tips to help you avoid a dental emergency and an unexpected trip to our office.
Key Steps to Protect Your Smile
Brush and Floss Your Teeth
Brushing and flossing your teeth is probably one of the most powerful (and simple) ways you can protect your oral health.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush so you won’t irritate your gums or make your teeth feel sensitive.
- Brush your teeth for at least two minutes at a time to ensure you clean your entire smile.
- Floss once a day to remove plaque and any trapped food particles in between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach, preventing cavities.
Wear a Sports Mouth Guard
Wear a custom mouth guard if you plan on playing a contact sport like football. All it takes is one hard tackle for you to accidentally crack or even knock out a tooth. While you can buy generic mouth guards, we recommend getting a custom mouth guard from a dentist. A custom mouth guard is specially made to fit the contours of your teeth and gums, so it won’t feel uncomfortable and you can focus on the game.
Watch What You Eat
Certain foods increase your risk of getting cavities or gum disease. The bacteria that live in your mouth love to eat any sugar that’s left behind on your teeth and gums. This bacteria then consumes the sugar to produce acid that erodes tooth enamel and attacks your gums.
While it’s okay to indulge in sugary foods every once and a while, it’s a good idea to be mindful of what foods you’re putting in your grocery cart. Eating too many sugary treats could increase the bacteria in your mouth and put you at a higher risk of developing oral health issues.
Request an Appointment with Gasior Family Dental
One of the best ways to avoid a dental emergency is to see our dentists at least every 6 months. That way, we’ll be able to perform a teeth cleaning and oral examination. We may also take X-rays and counsel you on how to maintain good oral hygiene.
To request an appointment with one of our family dentists in Northville, MI, call Gasior Family Dental at (248) 348-7997.