An accident, injury or other type of oral emergency can occur in your mouth, just like it could in any other part of your body. Even though it’s impossible to prevent an oral emergency, our Werschky, Lewis & Slatton Family Dentistry team recommends a using few lifestyle practices that will reduce your chances of suffering an oral injury.
It’s wise to actively curb bad habits like chewing on pens, pencils, and ice. At the same time, you should also avoid using your teeth as tools. This can cause chips, cracks, and fractures in the tooth enamel.
Grinding your teeth on a regular basis can result in chips and fractures on the biting surfaces of your teeth. Teeth grinding is also one of the more common causes of the TMJ disorder. Your dentist can fit you for a custom night guard that is designed to fit comfortably into your mouth, allowing you to sleep easily and prevent further damage.
If you participate in contact sports, you should always use a quality mouth guard. Some people even like to have a mouth guard made for them so they have additional comfort and protection during athletics.
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 does occur. A tea towel and zip top bags could also be kept on hand to help you quickly make a cold compress and handle any swelling problems.
If you have further questions or concerns about how to reduce your chances of suffering an oral injury in Grand Blanc, Michigan, you can call Werschky, Lewis & Slatton Family Dentistry at (810) 671-5616 to schedule a consultation with your dentist.