Having a great dentist may make a dental emergency in Green Hills seem less stressful. But if you’ve ever broken a tooth or had a sudden throbbing toothache, you know how painful they can be. Avoiding a crisis is the best plan of action. Here are a few tips to help protect your smile and keep dental disasters at bay.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
It can be surprising how many people don’t practice proper dental care at home. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day. A study presented in the Journal of Dental Hygiene showed that the average amount of time dedicated to tooth brushing is 45 seconds! If brushing for 45 seconds sounds familiar, increasing your time to a full 2 minutes could help you remove 26 percent more plaque. The less plaque you have on your teeth, the healthier your smile will be.
Wear a Dental Guard When Playing Sports
According to a report in the Journal of the American Dental Association, 13-39 percent of all dental injuries occur while playing sports. Whether it’s contact or no-contact, your teeth can get cracked, broken, or even knocked out! Simply wearing a mouthguard while participating in any athletic activity can save you from having to deal with the pain and costs of restorative dentistry.
Pay Attention to Any Changes in Your Mouth
Any time you experience tooth pain, you can be sure that something is wrong. It could mean you have a cavity, a decayed filling, or a dental infection. Ignoring this pain can lead to a root canal, a tooth extraction, or more serious health issues like sepsis or a heart attack. It’s always important to see your dentist at the first signs of dental pain. You should also stay aware of any changes to your gums, cheeks, tongue, and the tissue on both the top and bottom of your mouth. Oral sores or ulcers that are slow to heal or don’t heal properly should be looked at by your dentist immediately.
Preventive care is the best way to protect and maintain your oral health. But if you do ever break a tooth or experience any other sudden dental issues, you have an emergency dentist in Green Hills who is ready to help.
About the Author
Dr. James Kirby and his staff at Green Hills Dental Center offer the citizens of Nashville multiple treatments under one roof. Whether you need preventive care, cosmetic dentistry, or are suffering from a dental emergency, Dr. Kirby and his team of dental professionals can help. If you’d like to know more, you can visit the website or contact the office at (615) 327-2123. They look forward to taking care of you and your oral health.