As an emergency dentist, we get calls for all sorts of reasons. We know better than most how easy it is to damage the teeth. Simple activities that may seem innocent are often what leads to a tooth becoming cracked, chipped, or even being knocked out. While it would be convenient to think that teeth are only damaged in severe accidents like a car wreck, this is simply untrue, so it is important to change your habits and decrease your risk.
Here are a few habits that frequently lead to emergency calls:
Opening things with teeth. We are not sure where this idea started, but people of all ages tend to use their teeth like scissors. This is all well and good until your tooth breaks. Your teeth should only be used for eating food because the time you save opening a package with your teeth is not worth the risk of you breaking one and needing emergency dental care.
Piercing your tongue. A tongue piercing is particularly dangerous because it is placing a hard metal object inside your mouth. As an emergency dentist, we know this can lead to teeth becoming cracked or chipped when they come in contact with the piercing. Sometimes this happens while you sleep because there is no way to prevent what happens all the time, making it best to avoid the situation.
Not brushing your teeth. Let's face it, while most people know that they should brush their teeth, it is rare to find someone who brushes or rinses throughout the day. The morning and evening routine may be good enough if you eat a healthy diet low in sugar and starch. If, however, you drink a lot of coffee or sports drinks and eat candy or snack on chips, you are placing things on your teeth that can lead to cavities. This makes it important to at least rinse your mouth after eating or drinking something.
Grinding your teeth. If you grind your teeth at night, it can cause damage to them. Grinding is particularly bad for you because it can cause your teeth to chip and restorations to become dislodged. You can also wake up with TMJ-like symptoms, which include jaw, face, and neck pain. To solve this problem and prevent emergencies, we recommend wearing a night guard while you sleep.
Not wearing a mouthguard. If you or your kids play sports, you need to wear a mouthguard. These simple devices are necessary for ensuring that your teeth do not become chipped, cracked, or knocked out due to a sudden elbow jab or flying baseball.
As an emergency dentist, we know these are only a few things that can lead to dental damage and the need for an emergency dentist. The best thing you can do is to eliminate any bad habits from your daily routine and practice good oral care. This includes brushing and flossing throughout the day, visiting our office twice a year for a teeth cleaning, and eating a mouth healthy diet.
