Want to Avoid a Dental Emergency? Follow These Tips!

Of course you would prefer to avoid a dental emergency if at all possible, right? Especially now that summer is in full swing and you may have a trip or two coming up. As great as your dentist is, you probably don’t want to spend your free time in the treatment chair when the weather is warm and clear! Follow these tips, and you’ll reduce your risk of encountering unpleasant oral problems.

Visit Your Dentist

Seriously! Studies show that getting a professional checkup and cleaning every six months significantly lowers your odds of developing cavities, gum disease, and infections, while also increasing the likelihood of catching oral illnesses early.

Brush and Floss Your Teeth

If you don’t support professional care with regular at-home hygiene, however, then you could very well end up needing that emergency appointment. Bacteria accumulate in your mouth on a daily basis, not every six months, so it’s important to mitigate build up by brushing twice per day and flossing at least once per day.

Follow Aftercare Instructions

Maybe you want to enhance your smile with dental cosmetics, or maybe you need some restorative work to replace a gap in your smile. Whatever the case, if your dentist gives you aftercare instructions, you should follow them to a T. Otherwise you could experience treatment failure that requires urgent attention.

Wear a Mouthguard

Do you play sports? Or have a little one that gets a little too excited around slippery pools? Then it’s worth investing in a mouthguard. Your dentist can provide you with a customized one that will help protect your teeth from rough impacts.

Don’t Use Teeth as Tools

When you want to pry off a bottlecap or open up a snack bag, it can be tempting to use the closest available object – your teeth! This could easily end with you breaking or chipping a tooth, though, so resist the impulse and simply use a tool that was designed for the job.

You may not be able to completely prevent accidents or other urgencies from happening, but a little caution can go a long way. Follow these hot tips and ask your dentist for more recommendations, and your pearly whites will thank you this summer!

About the Author

Dr. Shandy Condie is a highly experienced dentist who has been practicing for more than 20 years. Known for her compassionate care and gentle touch, Dr. Condie makes patient comfort a priority, and will do everything she can to make sure you feel comfortable in her office. To schedule a checkup and cleaning or request an emergency appointment, contact her office at 480-780-9080.