Dental accidents come in all shapes and sizes. They can happen anywhere, anytime, and can range from minor to serious. Your emergency dentist in Salem understands the panic that can arise when a sudden chip, crack, or break develops, but wouldn’t it be nice to prevent these injuries in the first place? Here are 5 tips to keep your smile damage-free year-round and avoid a trip to the emergency dental office.
Don’t Forget to Floss
Your brushing technique may be on par, but if you’re forgetting to floss, you’re putting your smile at risk for tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Bad bacteria can easily burrow into the crevices of your smile. When left untreated, your soft oral tissues, teeth, and jawbone can become targets for serious oral health problems. Using waxed dental floss or a water irrigator (i.e., Waterpik) is highly effective and can reduce your risk for periodontal disease or cavities.
Replace Your Toothbrush
When was the last time you replaced your toothbrush? If it has been more than three months, it’s time to either buy a new one or swap out the brush head on your electric device. The bristles can carry harmful bacteria. If you’re sick, those germs can contaminate your brush and continue to put you at risk for decay and disease. Replacing your toothbrush every 2-3 months will help to better protect your smile while also guaranteeing a thorough clean.
Don’t Ignore Persistent Pain
The moment you notice persistent pain in a particular tooth or along your gum line, don’t wait to see your dentist in Salem. Recognizing symptoms early on can help to reduce the potential for more serious and extensive dental treatment as well as ensure you get the care you need before it worsens. Avoiding emergency dental care, especially if you feel you can’t afford it is never a good idea. Instead, contact your dentist right away to seek help and let them eliminate the pain while addressing the underlying issue.
Wear a Mouthguard for Added Protection
Sports can often cause damage to your teeth. And while other forms of protective equipment (i.e., helmet, shoulder and knee pads, shin guards, etc.) are essential, so is a customized mouthguard. Your dentist can equip you with an oral appliance that comfortably fits your smile and safeguards your teeth and gums. Should you experience a hard hit or sudden fall, a mouthguard can lessen your chances of breaking, chipping, or cracking a tooth as well as busting your lip or scratching your gums.
Be Mindful of What You Eat
Choosing healthy foods each day can positively impact your mouth and body. Too much sugar and starch will only cause cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease to develop over time. By minimizing your exposure to these ingredients and swapping them for leafy greens, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and dairy, you can avoid the potential for dental fillings, crowns, root canal therapy, and even tooth extractions.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can take better control of your smile and protect against common injuries and infections. Instead of regularly visiting your emergency dentist, you’ll instead be able to enjoy the benefits of a healthy, beautiful smile.
About the Authors
Drs. Travis and Christel Cochell are a husband-and-wife team who own and operate Cochell Family Dentistry in Salem, Oregon. Treating patients of all ages, their office provides a wide variety of services, ensuring you and your family receive the care you need all in one place! Want to avoid a dental emergency? Our team of experts can provide the tips you need to keep your smile looking and feeling its best year-round. To learn what you can do to keep your teeth and gums free of decay and disease, contact us at (971) 273-5910.