Dental emergencies often require immediate attention, so having a local dentist you can call is important. Fortunately, Dr. Shahdad at DFW Absolute Dental can provide the care you need, often on the same day the incident occurs. While knowing this will give you peace of mind, wouldn’t it be nice to not need same-day emergency care? Wouldn’t it be advantageous to know how you can prevent a dental emergency from occurring in the first place? If you are interested in learning more about what you can do to better protect your teeth and gums from the start, take note of some of the valuable tips we’ve provided. Should you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
The only thing teeth are meant to tear through is food. While durable and strong, your teeth are not meant to serve as standard tools for opening difficult objects. Scissors, pliers, knives, forks, and other sharp tools are meant to open packages, cans, and any other type of container. Your teeth can not withstand that type of pressure. Should you choose to use your teeth as tools, you can expect chips, cracks, fractures, and even breakage to occur, resulting in expensive treatments and procedures to fix your ailing teeth.
Being unwilling to maintain a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet can lead to devastating effects on your oral health. Too much sugar and starch can cause tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease to develop. But maybe your diet isn’t necessarily the problem but your “bad habits” are wreaking havoc on your teeth. If you like to chew on ice or inanimate objects (i.e. pens, pencils), you are putting yourself at an increased risk for serious damage. Breaks, chips, and cracks can result in the need for tooth replacement, extraction, a root canal, or even various cosmetic procedures designed to cover imperfections. Both restorative and cosmetic treatments can be costly, so stick to foods that are healthy and not harmful.
Whether it is solo or team-oriented sports, or you struggle with bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching), talk to Dr. Shahdad about a custom-made mouthguard. If it’s sports that you enjoy, make sure you’re protecting your teeth and gums from hard-hitting impact. Too often, sports-related injuries require immediate care by a dental professional. From soft tissue lacerations to knocked-out teeth, a mouthguard can protect against these types of problems, keeping your mouth from becoming bloodied and broken.
If it’s not sports that have you considering a mouthguard but instead, teeth grinding at night, this type of oral device can relax your jaw and facial muscles and keep your teeth from coming into contact with each other. This reduces the chances of excessive wear and tear on your teeth as well as developing other serious conditions such as TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) or sleep apnea.
When you get up in the morning and before you go to bed at night, make sure you're brushing your teeth, flossing, and rinsing properly. Using the right tools and products will not only protect your teeth from decay and disease, but it will also strengthen your tooth enamel, making it more resistant to injury. Of course, you’ll also need to keep your regular dental checkups and cleanings with Dr. Shahdad to make sure no problems are developing as well as remove any hardened plaque and tartar before it becomes a serious problem.