Here at Lewis Family Dentistry, we understand that it’s impossible to completely prevent an oral emergency. However, we do offer a few easy suggestions to help you lessen the chance of an oral emergency. At the very least, you will be better prepared for an oral emergency when one happens.
First off, you should make every effort to curb bad habits like chewing on pens and pencils or crunching on ice. At the same time, you should also avoid using your teeth as tools. This can cause chips, cracks and fractures in tooth enamel.
Grinding your teeth on a regular basis can cause chips and fractures on the biting surfaces of your teeth. It is also one of the more common causes of the TMJ disorder. Your dentist, Dr. Kenneth Lewis, can fit you for a custom night guard, which is designed to fit comfortably into your mouth, allowing you to sleep easy and prevent further damage.
With many oral injuries and emergencies, preparation and first aid are the key elements of effective treatment. Stocking your first-aid kit with a few common oral health care items, like waxed floss, salt packets and topical oral analgesic, will help you be better prepared when an oral emergency occurs. A tea towel and zip top bags could also be handy because they help you quickly prepare a cold compress to handle any swelling problems.
If you have questions about oral emergencies in Fayetteville, North Carolina, you can call Lewis Family Dentistry at 910.488.0518 to set up a consultation.