5 Top Tips to Avoid A Dental Emergency

Nobody wants to find themselves in a situation where they need urgent assistance for a dental injury. Sadly, accidents happen. It’s not always possible to avoid injuries, but there are certain things you can do to try and lower your risk of dental woes. Here are 5 top tips:

1. Wear a mouth guard: if you play sport, and there’s a risk of dental injuries, it’s always a good idea to wear a mouth guard or gum shield. Mouth guards protect your teeth and gums against flying objects, face to face contact and hard surfaces and they can make the difference between keeping and losing your teeth. Visit your dentist for a custom-made, comfortable mouth guard.
2. Always wear your seat belt: if you’re travelling in a car, always make sure you have your seat belt on and it is securely fastened. If you are involved in an accident, the belt will prevent you from falling forwards, which will protect your face.
3. See your dentist for regular check-ups: seeing your dentist on a regular basis can help to lower the risk of painful dental infections, tooth pain and abscesses. Ideally, you should visit every 6-12 months.
4. Don’t use your teeth to open bottles: your teeth are there to break down food, not to open bottles or bite the labels off new clothes. Try and avoid using them in any other way to keep your smile intact for as long as possible.
5. Be mouth aware: dental emergencies can crop up suddenly, but sometimes, there are warning signs. Keep an eye on your mouth and look out for symptoms like swollen gums, toothache, bleeding when you brush and heightened sensitivity.