The best way to treat a dental emergency is to prevent it from ever happening in the first place. Sometimes this simply isn’t possible, but other times dental emergencies can be prevented by taking the necessary precautions. Even if a dental emergency were to occur despite taking precautions, it generally tends to be less severe and requires less treatment. To protect yourself from dental emergencies, here are some precautions to follow:
Maintain Your Oral Hygiene
The simplest way to prevent dental emergencies from happening is to stay caught up on your daily dental hygiene routine. This is because practicing good oral hygiene keeps your teeth and gums strong and healthy, which decreases the risk of things going wrong. Brushing twice a day removes excess plaque and bacteria from your teeth, using fluoridated toothpaste strengthens your enamel, and flossing prevents debris from getting stuck between your teeth and keeps your gums healthy. These are all important factors that help prevent dental emergencies.
Visit Your Kamloops Dentist
While our Kamloops dental office is always available to treat your dental emergencies, we would rather help you prevent them from happening. Regular dental exams allow your Kamloops dentist to evaluate potential oral health problems before they become major issues. In addition, regular dental cleanings ensure that excess plaque, tartar, and bacteria are all removed from the surface of your teeth, which decreases the risk of dental issues developing into emergency situations.
Wear a Mouthguard if Needed
There are certain situations where your Kamloops dentist may recommend wearing a mouthguard. One situation is if you frequently participate in sports or activities that could potentially cause you to be hit in the face. Wearing a sports mouthguard protects your teeth and gums in the case that you are hit. Another situation that calls for a mouthguard is if you grind or clench your teeth at night. Wearing a night guard prevents damage to your teeth, as well as decreases the amount of strain placed on your jaw joint.
Avoid Parafunctions
Oftentimes, dental emergencies can occur when people use their teeth for things besides biting and chewing. These functions are known as parafunctions since they are not the intended function of teeth. Some examples of parafunctions include: nail biting, chewing on ice or pens, using your teeth to open bottles or packages, and using your teeth to hold things. The main problem with these activities is that they dramatically increase the risk of chipping, fracturing, or even knocking out a tooth. Additionally, certain habits, like nail biting, can strain the jaw and increase the risk of jaw joint dysfunction.
Limit Consumption of Problematic Foods
Some foods are exceptionally hard, while others are extremely sticky or crunchy. Unfortunately, certain foods are more likely to damage your teeth than others. In some cases, these foods can cause your teeth to chip or crack, while in other cases they may increase the risk of tooth decay. Either way, these foods damage your teeth by threatening the structural integrity of your natural tooth structure. Therefore, it is encouraged that you limit the amount you consume and take special care when consuming them.
Dr. Admar holds dual certificates — a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) in 2010 from India and a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) in 2014 from Canada. He is now a full time practicing dentist in Kamloops where he provides a variety of services, including emergency dentistry. Dr. Admar spends hundreds of hours in continued dental education to stay up to date in cosmetic and implant dentistry and he has achieved several advanced qualifications.
