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.
Brush and Floss Your Teeth
You probably knew this tip was coming, but brushing and flossing your teeth is probably one of the most powerful (and simple) ways you can protect your oral health.
Make sure that you’re using a soft-bristled toothbrush. That way, you won’t irritate your gums or make your teeth feel sensitive. You also want to make sure that you’re brushing your teeth for at least two minutes at a time. Otherwise, you may miss cleaning all the teeth in your smile.
You may have heard this old saying: “Only floss the teeth you want to keep.” And there’s a lot of truth in that.
Plaque loves to hide in between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This is why our dentists advise you to also floss once a day. Flossing removes plaque and any trapped food particles in between teeth so you don’t develop 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 at the store, 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. That way, your mouth guard won’t feel uncomfortable and you’ll be able to focus on the game.
Watch What You Eat
Certain foods increase your risk of getting cavities or gum disease. This is because the bacteria that live in your mouth love to eat any sugar that’s left behind on your teeth and gums. This bacteria then consume 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.
