Avoiding a dental emergency may not always be easy or possible. Things happen and suddenly, you’re faced with the reality that you need to get to your local dentist’s office for help. While not all situations are preventable, there are things you can do to minimize the potential risk of a serious injury. In this article, a dentist will share 5 things you should never plan to put in your mouth if you want to avoid a serious dental emergency.
Fingernails
If you have a habit of biting your fingernails, it’s time to stop. Think about how much you use your hands. Each time they touch another surface or item, the germs you pick up are placed into your mouth, affecting your teeth and gums. Apart from the dirt that can live under your nails that is transferred into your mouth, biting down on the nails requires jaw pressure, which can be problematic over time, resulting in teeth grinding and chronic jaw pain.
Someone Else’s Toothbrush
It is never a good idea to use someone else’s toothbrush. Not only does it consist of their germs, but if they suffer from gum disease or tooth decay, it can be easily transferred into your mouth. The bacteria that live on the bristles should never be shared, so instead of using your spouse’s or sibling’s toothbrush, find one of your own or make a quick trip to the local drugstore to buy one.
Hard Candy
It can be hard to resist hard candies because of their sweet, delicious taste; however, if you want to keep your teeth intact, you’ll resist. These small, hard treats are damaging to your smile, causing chips, cracks, breaks, and even small fractures. The result of a few minutes of enjoyment can lead to countless hours spent in an emergency dentist’s office undergoing complex and costly restorative care.
Cigarettes or Other Tobacco Products
Smoking is bad for your oral and overall health. This is no secret. Each time you light up a cigarette or vape using an e-cigarette, you put yourself at risk for gum disease and other serious oral health problems. Without proper treatment, it can cause a breakdown of gum tissue and bone, resulting in tooth loss. Not to mention, it also causes halitosis (bad breath) as well as the potential for oral cancer.
Ice
Those who chew on ice tend to do so because it is a habit. Unfortunately, this leads to breakage and the potential for restorative care (i.e., dental crowns, root canals, tooth extractions). If you don’t want to risk the functionality of your teeth, you’ll opt to stay away from eating ice. If it’s too tempting, request a beverage without it or simply use a straw so that you’re not allowing the ice to fall into your mouth.
Don’t spend your time and hard-earned money on fixing problems that can be avoided in the first place. Stay away from those mentioned above and enjoy a healthier, complete smile.
About the McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice
Do you need an emergency dentist? At McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice, we have three expert professionals who have years of experience and are committed to helping patients suffering from serious dental injuries. If you or a loved one recently chipped a tooth and need help, call our dental office today to discover how quickly we can get you in for treatment.