During this time of year, your schedule is likely jam-packed with shopping for holiday meals, decorating and gift wrapping. The last thing you’re probably thinking about is dealing with a dental emergency, but the popular treats and snacks around this time of year can increase your risk. If you do find yourself dealing with tooth damage or trauma to your gums, you should get to your emergency dentist in Houston, immediately. But if you’d like to know how to protect your mouth and your schedule this season, here are 5 ways you can avoid a dental emergency.
Daily Oral Care
It may seem obvious, but keeping your teeth and gums healthy is one of your best lines of defense when it comes to dental emergencies. Poor dental hygiene can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, both of which can put you at risk of infection and cracked or loose teeth. Brushing and flossing regularly keep the bacteria in your mouth from wreaking havoc on your smile.
Drink Water
It may not be as fun as other drinks you consume throughout the holidays, but drinking water will wash away the leftover bits of food and bacteria that can cause cavities. It also helps to cut cravings to help keep your snack consumption in check.
Be Careful with Crunchy Treats
Whether it’s bits of peppermint, butterscotch or certain types of nuts, hard snacks can lead to chipped or broken teeth. Even popcorn should be eaten with caution, especially since accidentally biting down on a kernel can result in painful damage to your teeth. If an item just as hard or harder than your teeth, it’s probably a good idea to avoid it altogether.
Don’t Use Your Teeth as a Tool
There are plenty of movies showing someone opening a bottle with their teeth, but this is definitely not a party trick you should try at home. Using your teeth to open things like nail polish or plastic packaging is also a very bad idea. Not only can these actions break or chip your teeth, but they can also cause trauma to your gums. The best thing to do is keep a bottle opener, scissors or a rubber jar grip in a nearby drawer and completely avoid using your teeth to assist in these tasks at all costs.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
It is very important to visit the dentist at least twice per year for regular dental exams and cleanings. Brushing and flossing at home is good for plaque and bacteria removal, but that’s not all that can weaken your teeth. In order to remove the plaque that has hardened on your teeth, also known as tarter, you need your dentist’s help. They have specialized tools to remove it.
Dental emergencies can be painful and cause expensive, long-term damage. Following these tips can reduce your risk of dental problems and give you more time to enjoy the holidays.
About the Author
Houston residents have trusted Dr. Cher Rich with their smiles since 2007. Dr. Rich and her team of dental professionals are dedicated to helping individuals and their families achieve the best smiles and oral health possible, regardless of whether their treatment needs are simple or complicated. They provide each patient with personalized, comprehensive dental care and provide quick, effective emergency dentistry treatments. For more information, visit the website or contact the office at (281) 469-6281.