10 ways to avoid a dental emergency

It is a fact of life that unless you look after your teeth, you will require dental treatment. If you are in acute pain, this can be distressing – especially if it is your child with toothache.

While recognising that for some busy people, routine dental appointments aren’t always feasible, there are early measures you can take to identify symptoms and prevent dental emergencies. This is our guide to the most effective ones.

Spot early signs of gum disease

The first thing you should do is note any unusual changes to your gums or persistent toothache, which might be an indicator of a cavity or leaking or crumbling filling. Pain provides a powerful clue that something is amiss and that your mouth should be checked out immediately by a dental professional.

Do not ignore persistent pain, because it could mean an oral infection. Similarly, any lingering gum sores or ulcers should also be referred for professional examination.

Practice good oral hygiene

It is recommended you brush your teeth thoroughly for at least two minutes twice a day, in the morning and before going to bed. Many modern electric toothbrushes are not only more robust than manual ones, but also include timers.

Replace your toothbrush regularly

It is a good idea to update your toothbrush (or brush head) every two or three months when they start to look frayed. Failure to do so may reduce bristle impact on sensitive gum areas. Some electric toothbrushes are equipped with built-in wear indicators that let you know when they should be replaced.

Flossing is essential

Every dentist can tell who flosses and who doesn’t. Regular flossing is a vital part of oral health maintenance and eliminates foods caught between teeth. Around a third of the mouth is unreachable by toothbrush, and failure to floss those areas will increase exposure to gum disease and the risk of tooth decay.

There are different ways of flossing, using threads, soft picks or interdental brushes.

Limit sugar intake

Gums are particularly vulnerable to sugar because oral bacteria use it for energy, creating an acid that can attack tooth enamel. This is a process accelerated every time you eat sugary food. Eventually, this may result in cavities that require dental surgery.

Register with a good dentist

It is important to have access to local dental care, which is convenient for you and your family. You should attend as many appointments as necessary to ensure that your teeth are properly monitored.

Protect your teeth during sport

It is a good idea to wear a mouthguard if either you or your child is playing sport. This can protect teeth against dental injuries incurred during contact and some non-contact activities. Such injuries could cause avoidable teeth cracks or chips, or even knock teeth out in extreme instances. Furthermore, the cost of restorative work could run into thousands of pounds.

A custom-designed sports mouthguard, which is comfortable to wear and enables easy breathing, offers secure protection for teeth.

Overcome your fear of dentistry

Dental practices have worked hard to overcome a longstanding public psychological fear of surgery, making treatment as painless as possible while providing welcoming premises that accommodate nervous patients. Staff are trained to make you feel comfortable and offer options to suit your individual needs.

To conquer such fears, some people find it helpful to try out meditation or relaxation techniques prior to dental appointments.

Familiarise your children with dental appointments

It is a sensible idea to bring children along to dental appointments in order to familiarise them with the process. The sooner they get used to dentistry, the sooner they will build up a healthy trust in dental advice.

Children who start going to the dentist early are less likely to develop a phobia and more likely to take steps to prevent tooth decay. Children’s dentists will often suggest treatments to protect emerging teeth such as fluoride varnish, which hardens and solidifies tooth enamel.

Remain well hydrated

Another commonly overlooked form of oral health maintenance is the importance of regular rehydration.

The simple truth is too many people don’t drink sufficient water. Effective oral hygiene requires water in order to generate saliva. This protective fluid is needed to retain a neutral pH and wash away food, bacteria and old skin cells. It also provides the minerals that defend teeth against decay.

Looking after your teeth is a critical part of your daily lifestyle, so it’s important to see your dentist regularly. If you need a checkup or treatment for dentures or dental implants in Chester, book an appointment with the local advanced care team at Art of Dental Care today.