5 Ways to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can be just as urgent and dangerous as other health emergencies. However, you don’t have to wait until you’re experiencing a dental emergency before you take action. There’s plenty you can do while your smile is still healthy to prevent dental emergencies from happening in the first place:

1. Practice good oral hygiene
2. Use fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse
3. Watch what you’re eating and drinking
4. Learn healthy ways to manage your stress
5. Seek treatment for dental pain quickly

1. Practice Good Oral Hygiene

If you decide to adopt just one preventative practice, make it this one. Practicing good oral hygiene is one of the best things you can do to prevent dental emergencies.

What is good oral hygiene? Our definition, informed by recommendations from the American Dental Association (ADA), includes three easy habits:

1. Brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day
2. Flossing daily
3. Getting your teeth professionally cleaned every six months

Brushing and flossing get rid of plaque, which is a thin layer of bacteria that damages your teeth and can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Most plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing, but any plaque that’s left behind can develop into tartar, which can only be removed by a dental professional. That’s why we recommend getting your teeth cleaned twice a year by our dental hygienists.

Having a regular teeth cleaning also means our dentist will have the opportunity to check your teeth twice a year for any signs of trouble. That way, we can treat oral health problems before they become dental emergencies.

2. Use Fluoride Toothpaste and Mouth Rinse

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens your teeth and prevents tooth decay. It’s one of the easiest things you can incorporate into your daily routine. By using a fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse, you’re giving your teeth extra help in preventing serious oral health issues.

3. Watch What You’re Eating and Drinking

Plaque forms naturally on your teeth when you eat sugar or other carbohydrates. Unless the plaque is brushed or flossed away, certain bacteria in your mouth will consume the plaque and produce acids that will damage the enamel of your teeth. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

This means that what you’re eating and drinking matters for your oral health. Try to avoid overly sugary foods and drinks, and make sure you’re drinking enough water so you stay hydrated.

4. Learn Healthy Ways to Manage Your Stress

Stress can have negative effects on your health, but did you know it can also negatively affect your oral health? If you’re stressed, you may resort to biting or chewing on hard things to let off steam, like pen caps or pencils. You may clench or grind your teeth at night, leading to jaw pain. You may find it harder to resist those sugary foods that can increase your risk for tooth decay.

By learning healthy ways to manage your stress, you’ll help not just your mental health, but also your oral health. Additionally, our dentists may be able to help with some of your symptoms. For example, if you find yourself grinding your teeth at night, we can create a custom night guard for you to wear while you sleep to protect your smile.

5. Seek Treatment for Dental Pain Quickly

If you’re suffering from a toothache, don’t ignore it. Pain is one of our most trustworthy indicators that something isn’t right. Getting fast treatment can be the difference between needing a routine dental procedure and undergoing serious oral surgery. 

Our Grand Rapids emergency dentists have the skills necessary to act quickly during a dental emergency. We’ll work hard to give you the best chance of regaining your oral health and preserving your smile.

Why Preventative Dentistry Matters

Prevention ultimately comes at a cost, but it’s usually the less expensive option in the long run. For example, getting your teeth cleaned twice a year costs time and money, but it costs less time and money than having to get a dental crown due to a large filling that could have been prevented with proper oral hygiene.

Delaying preventative care often results in a much larger bill down the line. However, some patients still hesitate to invest in preventative dentistry because they don’t think they can afford it. At Contemporary Family Dental, we believe the health of our patients comes first, which is why we offer flexible payment options. With flexible payment options, you can get affordable dental care today instead of dealing with an expensive dental emergency tomorrow.

Additionally, you can take comfort in knowing that we’re not asking any of our patients to make an investment in preventative dentistry that we haven’t also made ourselves. Our office has made this a priority and invested in preventative services technologies so we can detect oral health problems earlier than ever for our patients.

Invest in a Healthy Smile with Preventative Dental Care

Our Grand Rapids, MI, preventative dentists can help you take charge of your oral health and protect your smile from dental emergencies with preventative dentistry. Additionally, if you are suffering from a dental emergency, we’re here to help. Call Contemporary Family Dental at (616) 209-3969, or contact us online.