No one has any control over accidents. When it happens, it happens, and there isn’t much you can do about it when it reaches that point. You can, however, take preventive measures to at least minimize the risk of being involved in one. Motorists, for example, know they must never drink and drive. When biking across rough terrain, cyclists wear tons of protective gear. And athletes in contact sports wear mouthguards to steer clear of unwanted dental emergencies.
Dental emergencies often arise out of accidents, and as with other types of emergencies, you have to deal with it immediately or face tooth loss, or worse. But as the cliché goes, an ounce of prevention will always be better than any cure. So here are some ways that can help you avoid dental emergencies.
Mouthguards are tooth-savers
When playing basketball or any other contact sports, there’s an off-chance that you’ll fall face-first onto the floor, field or your opponent’s elbow in the heat of the game. Always wear a mouthguard during games, and you’ll reduce the chances of getting your teeth knocked off.
Ice is not candy
Many children love to chomp on ice, and most of them will likely carry on the habit right to adulthood. The problem with ice is that it damages the enamel that covers your teeth. It could be even worse if you do your ice-chomping after eating a hot meal. It would only be a matter of time before a tooth cracks, and then you’ll be in the middle of dental emergency. If you have fillings and crowns, ice can take a toll on them, too. So avoid chewing on ice, and if you can, stay away from chomping on hard candy as well.
Make your home slip-, trip- and fall-proof
Many people have had dental emergencies because of accidents that occurred at home. To prevent dental emergencies, you have to reduce the risk of tripping, slipping, and falling inside your home. Decluttering is one way of doing it, so you won’t step on any object while you’re going down the stairs. Your stairs can also use new carpeting, especially the skid-resistant kind. Emergency lights will also be useful, so you won trip or fall or bump into something in the dark when there’s a nighttime power outage.
Never cut or open anything with your teeth
Do you know anyone who loves to show off by opening bottles with his teeth? If you do, expect him to crack his tooth anyti
me soon. Your teeth are not designed to be used as tools. Opening bottles and packages can be done with scissors, bottle openers, and cutters, so spare your teeth from these tasks and avoid an unscheduled visit to the dentist in the process.
Seatbelts
You may consider a fender-bender a minor accident, but you can lose your teeth if the impact sends your face slamming into the steering wheel or dashboard. Always wear a seatbelt. It saves lives and teeth.
Learn more about dental emergencies and the proper ways of dealing with them by checking out the infographic below.
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