Wherever you are, it’s important to take necessary precautions to protect your teeth and gums from damage, injury, or infection. By doing your part to protect your oral health, you can avoid many of the common emergencies we often see in our practice. Today we’re sharing a few tips that will help you avoid a dental emergency as well as what you can do if you do experience one.
- Visit the dentist every six months.
It’s important to visit us every six months for a cleaning and exam. We will thoroughly clean your teeth and gums from any plaque, bacteria, and tartar build-up. We’ll also look for any oral health concerns with a thorough examination of your mouth. It will help us address any problems early on to help you avoid the pain of gum disease or an infected tooth.
- Wear a mouthguard.
If you play sports, whether casually or professionally, wearing a mouthguard can prevent injuries to your mouth. One elbow to the mouth can potentially chip or even knock out a tooth! Our custom-fit mouthguards are far better than anything you’d buy in the store because they are designed specifically for you. It’s also more durable and will last far longer. We can also offer you a custom mouthguard that can help protect your teeth if you grind your teeth as well.
- Practice good oral hygiene.
Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once is essential to maintain a healthy smile. It will help you avoid potential infections in your teeth and gums that happen often as a result of bacteria buildup or food particles that get stuck in your gumline. What you eat also affects your dental health, so make sure you have a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and calcium.
- Don’t use your teeth as scissors.
While it’s tempting to just tear open a package using your teeth, this can potentially lead to injury. Plus, if you have children, they may notice you use your teeth this way and repeat the behavior. Avoid making this a habit and go the extra step to grab a pair of scissors.
Handling a Dental Emergency
Even taking all the necessary precautions, emergencies do happen. Here are a few of the more common emergencies and what you can do about them:
- If you knocked out a tooth, place the missing tooth in a glass of milk or saliva. If you are experiencing any bleeding, press gauze against your mouth for about 10 minutes. Then call us right away for an emergency appointment.
- If you chipped a tooth, find any pieces of the tooth and place them in a glass of milk. If you aren’t in any pain, you likely don’t need an emergency appointment. However, take care with which foods you eat until you can come in for a visit.
- If you have a toothache, and it’s causing you a great deal of pain that’s lasted more than a day or two, that could be a sign of an infected tooth or gum disease. You’ll want to visit us as soon as possible so we can address the problem and save you from a worsening situation.
Whether you haven’t been to the dentist in a while or are concerned about an oral health issue, call us today at 605-250-4651 to schedule an appointment at Sioux Falls Smiles in Sioux Falls, SD. You can also .