Avoiding Emergencies with Oral Health Routines
Studies have shown that approximately 3.9% of avoidable emergency room visits are related to teeth and jaw problems, and emergency rooms aren’t equipped to deal with dental problems. Although it’s not possible to prevent every dental emergency, you can take some proactive steps by following good oral health routines that will minimize your risks. If you want to prevent the most common dental emergencies your emergency dentist Melbourne fl wants to help, here’s a look at some of the most important oral health routines you need to follow.
Establish Oral Health Routines
One of the best ways to avoid emergencies is to make sure you’ve established a good oral hygiene routine at home. This includes both brushing and flossing. You need to brush your teeth at least twice daily, although it’s even better to brush after every meal if possible. It’s also important to make sure you’re flossing at least once a day to remove those food particles that your toothbrush can’t get to. Regular brushing and flossing will keep bacteria from weakening your enamel and will control the oral bacteria that have the ability to weaken your oral health system. Following good oral hygiene practices at home is essential to preventing tooth decay, which can result in toothaches and other complications if left untreated.
Try Adding a Good Anti-Bacterial Mouthwash
Brushing and flossing is important, but to kill even more bacteria in your mouth, you may want to add a good anti-bacterial mouthwash to your oral hygiene routine. Mouthwash can help reduce the bacteria in your mouth that can cause tooth decay. It can also help reduce the bacteria around and under your gums that can increase your risk of gum disease. Some mouthwashes come with fluoride in them, which can actually help strengthen your tooth enamel, keeping teeth strong so they can stay resistant to cavity-causing plaque. Not only will mouthwash improve oral health and help you avoid emergencies like a toothache, but it also helps treat and prevent problems with bad breath.
Stick With a Tooth-Friendly Diet
What you put into your mouth should also be considered when you’re working to avoid dental emergencies. It’s an important part of your oral health routine to ensure you’re eating a tooth-friendly, healthy diet. Choose healthy foods that contain plenty of vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, to keep your teeth strong and healthy. You also need to steer clear of foods that can cause a dental emergency. Hard candy, ice, and even popcorn kernels have the ability to cause a crack in your tooth. A cracked tooth makes it easy for bacteria to build up in the crack, which can result in a severe toothache, and in some cases, an abscess. Make sure you also avoid eating too much sugar, which can cause tooth decay and result in a painful toothache and the need for emergency dental care.
Head in for Regular Dental Checkups and Cleanings
Another important oral health routine to follow to prevent dental emergencies is to head in for your regular dental checkups and cleanings at your Melbourne, Florida dental practice, Artistic Touch Dentistry. Those regular checkups are important to monitoring the health of your entire oral cavity. At checkups, Dr. Brazdo can look for any potential problems or concerns before they turn into big problems that could result in an emergency. Physical exams and the use of diagnostics, such as x-rays, allow your Melbourne, Florida dentist to check to see if teeth are vulnerable to injury or decay long before they actually show any visible signs of problems. If teeth are at risk for decay or damage, preventable treatments can be used to strengthen teeth, preventing future problems. Cleanings are also important, since they eliminate plaque that you’re not able to take care of at home with regular brushing and flossing. Remember, heading in for regular checkups and cleanings is far less costly and painful than heading to the dentist for a dental emergency.
Don’t spend thousands of dollars on an emergency room visit because of a preventable dental emergency. This not only costs you, but it costs the entire healthcare system. Make sure that you follow good oral health routines and you’ll be able to prevent many dental emergencies while improving your overall dental health. If you have questions about how to improve your oral health routine, don’t hesitate to call your emergency dentist in Melbourne Florida today!